An illiteracy eradication class, which begun on April 30, 2023, in a small children’s Sabbath School room of Kuala Parapat Seventh-day Adventist Church in Kudat, Sabah, Malaysia, continues to transform the lives of adult and elderly women in the church community.

The initiative, led by Jaibi Eva Ogou, the dedicated Women’s Ministries coordinator for Region 1 in the Adventist Church in Sabah (SAB), provides an opportunity for twelve women, many of whom have never attended school, to acquire basic reading and writing skills. The program is scheduled to continue until February 2025.

The class was born out of Jaibi’s compassion for women who, due to illiteracy, cannot access the many conveniences others enjoy daily. “In our Women’s Ministries reports, there was always a question about literacy efforts, but we had nothing to report. I saw this as both a pressing need and a personal motivation, especially within our church,” explained Jaibi, who took on the challenge of teaching the class herself. She also saw the literacy class as an opportunity to provide a meaningful and healthy activity for elderly women.

Jaibi’s students are women aged fifty-nine to seventy-three who face various challenges. Among the twelve students, four had never attended school, two had briefly participated in adult classes, four had attended school up to grades one to three but dropped out due to distance, and two had some formal education but struggled, particularly with basic English words.

Their inability to read had long hindered their spiritual growth and limited their involvement in church activities. Tasks such as reading Bible verses or participating in church choirs were simply out of reach. “Although their enthusiasm was strong, these limitations impacted their spiritual development, as they had to rely solely on what they heard or on their children’s explanations,” shared Jaibi.

Sabah, Malaysia, faces a significant challenge with literacy rates lower than the national average, reflecting educational disparities within the region. As of recent years, approximately 21% of the population is estimated to be illiterate, with contributing factors including poverty, limited access to education, and the high number of undocumented children.

Support and Resources

The class initially operated with minimal resources, relying on a donated whiteboard and borrowed heavy tables that had to be carried in and out of the classroom for each session. The church had been supporting the program by providing classroom space on weekdays and contributing funds for essential supplies, such as paper and whiteboard markers.

However, with contributions from the Women’s Ministries Department of the Adventist Churches in Malaysia (MAUM) and the Southern Asia Pacific (SSD), the program now has proper tables, a computer, and a printer. These tools have significantly improved the learning process. The lightweight tables are easy to store, while the computer allows lessons to be typed in large fonts for easier reading. The printer helps produce copies of materials efficiently, saving time for both the teachers and students.  The teachers initially had to handwrite the notes on the whiteboard while the students would copy them.

The classes run twice a week for two hours each. Monday focuses on the Malay language (BM), and Thursday is dedicated to English. Students are divided into two groups: Class One for beginners and Class Two for advanced learners. In addition to literacy lessons, the program includes activities such as visiting sick and elderly church members and light exercises like walking.

Challenges and Progress

Despite the motivation and enthusiasm of both the teachers and students, the program faces its share of challenges. One such challenge arises when Jaibi's co-teacher, Norsa Lisah, is unable to teach due to work commitments. Managing both beginner and advanced groups simultaneously can be difficult, as slower learners sometimes delay the progress of others.

Despite these challenges, the students' progress is undeniable. Many can now read and memorize Bible verses, participate comfortably in the church choir, send and read WhatsApp messages, recognize road signs and shop names, and understand food labels, including price tags. The program has also fostered spiritual growth among the students. Their increased confidence is evident during Sabbath School classes, where they now share their thoughts without hesitation. “Their confidence is much better than before,” noted Jaibi.

Future Plans

The students have expressed a strong desire to continue, particularly with the English classes. They also encourage elderly friends, including non-adventists, to join the program.

Reflecting on the initiative, Jaibi shared, “I feel happy to serve and impart a little knowledge with those in need. I hope to help more people facing similar challenges, especially in remote areas like Banggi Island or rural villages.”

With eight out of the twelve students now using Sabbath School lesson books, the impact of the program is clear. While some face vision issues due to age, the confidence and skills gained have empowered these women to overcome barriers and embrace lifelong learning.

The Women's Ministries Department has identified six challenge issues affecting women worldwide, which are central to their ministry's focus. These six critical challenges include illiteracy, poverty, health risks to women, heavy workloads, abuse and domestic violence, and the lack of training, mentoring, and leadership opportunities. As Christians striving to follow the example of Jesus, we believe it is essential to address the needs of all people, building trust and guiding them to find solutions. For this reason, Women's Ministries continues to dedicate much of its efforts to tackling these challenges.

The original article was published on the Southern Asia-Pacific Division website.