Literacy Learning Circles

One member of the Learning Circle works on a
handcraft as others tend the oven.

There are over 150 Literacy Learning Circles planted in and around parishes through out the Diocese of Southern Malawi.  Literacy is an important focus of the Mother’s Union who oversees the program.  With a grant from the Mary Sumner foundation—Sumner founded the Mother’s Union in the United Kingdom in the 19^th century---the Diocese is able to provide reading courses to hundreds of individuals in the region. 

Literacy is an issue because, until recently, primary education was tuition based and many people could not afford to send their children to school.  And, unfortunately for the world, boys for the most part were educated rather than girls.  In 1994, the first Malawian democratic government brought about free primary school education for all.  Government schools were built in the townships and villages.  

Packing up the scones.

In eighteen months Learning Circle members are taught to read Chichewa, the official language of Malawi.  The two program coordinators, Joyce Chitete and Temwanani Kalimbe, train leaders in the community to run the groups.  Circles meet a couple of times a week. At the end of the program they are given a written exam, and are given a certificate.  Some parishes have graduated several groups since the program began.  Some Learning Circles have been started in the community separate from the Anglican Church, which is a testimony to the great need for literacy programs.

When I visited the Learning Circle that meets in Chirimba Parish, I was surprised to find twenty-something women making up the group.  I expected the students would be older, however, these women were just old enough to have missed the opportunity to have an education or could have dropped out for various family reasons.

Mercy, the Learning Circle leader at Chirimba Parish,
displaying the scones fresh from the wood burning oven.

On days that they are not learning, many of the Circles meet as a group to support one another.  This parish has a bakery—one of two in the Diocese.  And, almost weekly they bake bread-like scones and sell them to church members on Sunday or to the community.  The money they make helps provide support for the group.  They also give support  to member or the member’s  family in times of need and they give back to the parish.

By the way, the scones are delicious!