Celebrating Literacy
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The Masalite already have a written language and a beginning reading primer. The SIL team is providing the community with linguistic consultation and helping to train the literacy teachers. The local communities are taking the lead in coordinating and conducting the actual literacy classes.
At the Bredjing and Treguine refugee camps we attended ceremonies where those that have completed the Masalite reading primer received certificates. There seemed to be a lot of enthusiasm for education and the Masalite literacy classes. The SIL team is now thinking about what other literature they could work with community leaders to make available in Masalite. Having a body of literature is a key to sustaining literacy over time because why would you keep reading if you’ve already read everything there is to read? It will be interesting to see how this literacy program will continue to develop.
Eunice has been providing some personal tutoring to the guard at their compound. I was able to see her going through the literacy primer with him. Later in the evening, he showed what he had learned by writing several words on a blackboard. He was laughing with excitement while he wrote each word he had learned in Masalite.
I’ve already talked about the harsh environment here. It might make some want to give up. But, I continue to feel the love that this team has for the people here–God’s love that they are sharing with this community.
When we were at one of certificate ceremonies, I came across this random plastic chair that said “Love of God.” It really affected me at that moment just thinking about how God loves the Masalite, how He knows of their suffering, and how He’s using some of His servants to help them.
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