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Literacy Training

In partnership with CBM, Soura Baptist Christian Mandalli Sammiloni (SBCMS) is raising awareness about the value of education and to empower individuals to be agents of change in their communities. This initiative begins with teaching children, many of whom are from impoverished families, how to read and write.

Cause:

Location

Field Staff:

Local Partner:

Soura Baptist Christian Mandali Samiloni (SBCMS)

The Situation

CBM began to share the gospel with the Soura Tribal community in 1902. These indigenous tribal groups are considered among the lowest, untouchables in the Indian caste system. Ninety-five percent of the Souras, one of the oldest indigenous groups in India, live in the hills and mountains of Odisha state in North East India. The Soura people depend mainly on agriculture and labour for income. Unfortunately, the climate and hilly terrain make farming difficult for most of the year and produce a limited supply of crops. In the villages SBCMS serves in, many people are illiterate due to no access to schools or low standards of education. To address the poverty villages struggle with, the Literacy Program empowers individuals with quality education. The ability to read and write will provide the Soura community with better education and job opportunities, knowledge of their rights, and greater confidence for students to take part in village activities and be agents of change. 

In partnership with CBM, Soura Baptist Christian Mandalli Sammiloni (SBCMS) is raising awareness about the value of education and to empower individuals to be agents of change in their communities. This initiative begins with teaching children, many of whom are from impoverished families, how to read and write.

The Situation

CBM began to share the gospel with the Soura Tribal community in 1902. These indigenous tribal groups are considered among the lowest, untouchables in the Indian caste system. Ninety-five percent of the Souras, one of the oldest indigenous groups in India, live in the hills and mountains of Odisha state in North East India. The Soura people depend mainly on agriculture and labour for income. Unfortunately, the climate and hilly terrain make farming difficult for most of the year and produce a limited supply of crops. In the villages SBCMS serves in, many people are illiterate due to no access to schools or low standards of education. To address the poverty villages struggle with, the Literacy Program empowers individuals with quality education. The ability to read and write will provide the Soura community with better education and job opportunities, knowledge of their rights, and greater confidence for students to take part in village activities and be agents of change. 

How We Are Helping

SBCMS promotes the value of education and raises literacy levels by implementing these services: 

Literacy Centre

Students attend literacy classes at tutoring centers, receive learning materials and are assessed twice a year. 

Awareness meetings

Further awareness meetings are held for participants in the villages where they gain practical knowledge on topics such as health and finance. 

Training for teachers

To effectively empower their students, young teachers are equipped and trained on quality education and how to implement the program at a community level. 

The Impact of Our Work

Davidson is 12 years old and has a younger sister. His father is a pastor of over 35 churches in the region and his mother takes care of the household. The family has a small plot of land where they plant and harvest cashews, which helps them survive on an annual income of about $400 CAD. After SBCMS introduced the literacy prograin their village, the parents enrolled DavidsonThe tutoring program has provided a learning atmosphere where Davidson can improve his studies and develop good behaviourBefore the program, Davidson struggled with schoolwork and was not planning to pursue further education. Now, he is inspired to serve his community and become a lawyer.  

“The tutoring program helps me to improve my studies and to change my lifestyle. That is why this program is important for me and my village.”

Adityaraj  Sabar

The students are taking interest and studying well. Parents are coming to know the value of education and encouraging their children to pursue higher studies. Students are beginning to pursue higher studies in different schools in the town after completion of their primary education.”