More than 500 people in El Salvador have learned how to read and write thanks to an annual initiative supported by the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) and a partnership with the Ministry of Education in El Salvador.

Hundreds gathered at the Adventist Training School in San Juan Opico, La Libertad, on January 21, 2023, for a special graduation ceremony where 521 students received diplomas for completing the one-year literacy program (ongoing since 2002).

“You have made a special commitment to better your lives, and we are delighted to see you here today to celebrate with you,” said Pastor Elie Henry, president of the church in the Inter-American Division. Pastor Henry praised the hard work of church member volunteers, ADRA, and the union administration for their decades-long commitment to improving the lives of so many people in the country.

David Poloche, ADRA Inter-America director, thanked everyone involved in the longstanding project, which continues to transform the lives of so many people.

The ADRA Inter-America partnership with ADRA El Salvador has seen a commitment and support from many organizations in the past, said Alexander Figueroa, ADRA El Salvador director. In 2014, more than 1,000 people were part of the literacy program, and in 2017, more than 700 people completed the literacy program, thanks to the financial support of North American Division’s Hope for Humanity, the IAD, and the church in El Salvador.

The literacy program takes about a year, with the Ministry of Education training the ADRA personnel, and provides printed materials and technical and legal follow-up for people who finish the process and reach new levels of education, explained Figueroa. “Every year, we have more than 200 volunteers; about 40 percent of them are church members who, week after week, commit to helping.” Regional graduation ceremonies are held each year, but this year saw everyone in one location for the celebration, he added.

During the past three years, more than 1,200 people have graduated. “The pandemic slowed down the average 500 persons who graduate from the program each year, but we are happy to see more involved in the program now,” Figueroa said.

Figueroa reported that 70 percent of those enrolled in the literacy program are older people, and 90 percent of those are women.

“When we offer education, we bring development,” said Figueroa.

For Milton Serrano Zepeda, from San Francisco Menéndez, Ahuachapán, graduating from the literacy program was a dream come true. “This has changed my life,” said Zepeda. At 54, he is different now. “I’m no longer illiterate. I can now sign my name instead of putting my fingerprint, and it’s so wonderful to know that it is possible, and we can accomplish this.” 

Zepeda has encouraged others to learn to read and write and taught some friends how to sign their names. “I feel so proud of myself and feel like I’m probably the one who’s benefitted the most from this program,” he said.

Each beneficiary received his or her diploma, a reading workbook, and a Bible, church leaders said.

For Delmy Hernández, from Sensembra, Morazán, volunteering to help five students in her group read and write has brought a lot of joy. She is among 200 trained facilitators who took part in the literacy program last year. “As a facilitator, I feel so much satisfaction when I see them get their diploma,” said Hernández. “To see their hard work, even for some who need a little more time to complete the program, with patience, it’s wonderful to reach this point of graduating.” 

The teaching techniques are the same when teaching a child, a young person, or an elderly person, Hernández added. “I’m so happy and proud [of] the fruits we have been able to see during this time teaching.”

Pastor Abel Pacheco, president of the El Salvador Union, congratulated all the recipients and thanked government agencies and donors for assisting during the last two decades in bettering the lives of thousands of people across the nation.

To learn more about the literacy program and other initiatives led by ADRA in El Salvador, click HERE.

The original version of this story was posted on the Inter-American Division website.