Writing my name

Sheela was ashamed of her illiteracy. She couldn't even sign her name. Then, she heard about Adult Literacy classes...

4 August 2010

During her first day of Adult Literacy class, Sheela couldn’t stop smiling. Her teacher asked her why she was so eager to learn how to read.

“I always wanted to attend school when I was a child,” Sheela began. “But I could not go...my parents were too poor.”

“Later, my parents arranged my marriage to a man who could not read or write either. My husband worked long hours in the heat of the day, but there never seemed to be enough money for our family of four.”

Sheela paused. Then, with determination, she continued, “But I refused to let my children suffer from our circumstances. So, no matter how poor we were, I always sent my children to school so they would have a chance at a better life.”

“One day, the principal of my children’s school asked me to sign their report cards.”

Sheela looked down. “I did not know how.”

For a moment, Sheela was silent.

Teary-eyed, Sheela glanced up at her Literacy teacher. “They took my thumb print instead. As they dipped my finger on the ink pad and pressed it to the paper, I could not look at my children – I was so ashamed.”

Sheela shook her head. “Even the smallest of my children can write her name.”

“That night I went home sad. I thought, ‘If anyone teaches me to read and write, the first thing I will learn to write is my name.’”

Sheela smiled again, saying, “A few days later, I heard about the Literacy program.”

Today, not only can Sheela sign her name, she is a proficient writer and an avid reader!

Sheela’s teacher shared the Christian message with her, and Sheela began attending church. Please pray that Sheela will receive Jesus as her personal Savior.

Give the gift of literacy in India

Your gift of £18 will enroll one student in our 52-week Adult Literacy Class.

Mission India provides teacher training, a stipend for the teacher and class materials in a regional Indian language. The class materials include three Bible-based lesson booklets for each student, slates and chalk for students, a large chalkboard for teachers and a kerosene lantern as many classes are held during the early evening hours of darkness.

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