Bible Society of Kenya held a Literacy Adult Education sensitization meeting in Turkana, Lodwar with key church leaders and partners in Adult and Continuing Education Department on 27^th March 2018.

The purpose of the meeting was to create awareness on the need to enhance literacy among women in the Turkana community as well as to enhance partnership with different institutions who handle literacy in marginalized communities.

Group photo of key participants at the Turkana Literacy sensitization meeting in Lodwar

Turkana is the second largest county by land mass in Kenya and is considered one of the poorest with 88% of the people living below poverty level, compared with 45% nationally. Illiteracy levels are high with only half of the school going children enrolled nationally below the national average of 95% (2018 report by Charity Save the Children). The adult literacy rate in the county is at 20%

The programme dubbed Literacy for Women in Africa is aimed at empowering women through education. The girl child cannot access education in most marginalized communities due to cultural issues. This programme will however accommodate men as well. This programme, will equip learners with functional knowledge and skills in numeracy, basic knowledge among many others.

The sensitization meeting was attended by 23 participants with 10 churches represented and Turkana County Officer in the Adult and Continuing Education. BSK was represented by Mr James Kathuraku, Bible Advocacy and Scripture Use Manager and Mr. Joseph Irungu the Literacy Project Coordinator. The Church in Turkana will provide learning centers, assist in recruiting

The Government through the Directorate of Adult and Continuing Education (DACE) received the idea and promised to support the learners through giving assessment tests in different levels to evaluate the learning process. Ultimately these learners will advance to become teachers in different capacities.

Mr. James Njoka shaking hands with Mr Dominic Ngoko Turkana County Adult and Continuing Education Officer at his office in Lodwar

The Turkana County officer in Adult and Continuing Education Officer Mr. Dominic Ngoko noted that the challenge facing adult literacy in Turkana is shortage of teachers and learning centers. He encouraged church leaders to enroll their congregants to the classes as a way of acquiring knowledge and enhanced spiritual way of life.

BSK hopes that ultimately, the people of Turkana will be able to read their, improve their standards of living through involvement in different economic activities as a way of reducing poverty levels in the community.

BSK thanks it’s donor the Finnish Bible Society for making the literacy programme a reality and empowering the people of Turkana County with education.