What Is The Importance Of Teaching Numeracy Skills In The Poorest Communities Of Asia?

Numeracy skills are often lacking in cultures where education is not valued. For example, over 250 million women in Asia are illiterate in both math and reading.1 Many women long to learn, but the resources are unavailable to them. When adults are unable to do basic math, they are often taken advantage of in the market or in housing contracts. This makes an already financially strained family go even further into debt.

GFA World teaches adult literacy classes in Asia, releasing women and men from the confinement of illiteracy. They learn how to read, write and do basic math. This knowledge qualifies them for higher-paying jobs and sometimes they are even trained in starting their own vocation or business. With these new skills, they are able to realize a better future for their family. Often, literacy and education are the keys to breaking the cycle of poverty.

There are multiple positive effects of numeracy. Some are:
  • Ability to understand a budget and how to live within it.
  • Ability to critically think through decisions and solve problems.
  • Increased participation in society, for instance understanding contracts, agreements, prices in the marketplace and counting money.

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