Gospel for Asia

GFA World is promoting girls’ education through their child sponsorship program. This program helps thousands of girls and boys through community-wide solutions like opportunities for education, medical care, protection against malnutrition, clean water and more. GFA World’s Child Sponsorship Program helped Sumana and her family. 1 Sumana is one of the oldest girls in her family of 7 children. In their village, Sumana’s family experienced discrimination because of their ethnicity. So, they moved to the larger city looking for a better life. In the city, Sumana’s parents began working at a carpet factory, washing, dying and weaving wool in looms. They worked long hours to boost their income, but their earnings were still insufficient. The minimum wage for daily laborers at the factories was $1.60 per day; this is not a livable wage. 1 To help her family, Sumana quit school and went to work at the carpet factory with her parents. Even with Sumana working alongside her parents, their fam

Education is invaluable—it empowers girls and gives them hope, opportunity and confidence. Education also improves women’s careers and income. 1 Literate women can run businesses, sign contracts and navigate new jobs rather than toiling for low pay in fields and factories. Girls need to attend and complete school, so there are ongoing efforts to educate girls globally. A great example of the power of education is Ashima’s story. Young Ashima infrequently attended school; instead, she opted to play with her friends. Like many children in her village: her family lived in poverty, so they often could not afford books or supplies for school. A GFA-sponsored worker built relationships with adults in Ashima’s village and heard about children like Ashima leaving school because of insufficient finances. After many months, GFA World set up a child sponsorship program in Ashima’s village. Through the program, Ashima received school books and supplies and tutoring. GFA’s support renewed Ashima’s

The fight for girls’ education is ongoing. UNICEF estimates that 129 million girls worldwide are not in school. 1 Some girls leave school to work alongside their family, others to become wives and mothers or simply because their families do not have the resources to send them to school. However, education is vital for development and future opportunities. Education builds confidence in girls and offers them opportunities to learn, grow and hope. If girls can graduate from secondary school, that increases their chances of working jobs with better pay than their parents and even looking for greater opportunities. Here are a few solutions we provide to help educate girls in Asia and Africa that you can be a part of: Child sponsorship — For $35/month, you can sponsor a girl in Asia or Africa. Your contribution can help girls, their families and their communities break the cycle of poverty through community-wide solutions, including opportunities for education, medical care, protection ag

Why is educating girls important? Education builds confidence in girls and offers them opportunities to learn, grow and hope. If girls can graduate from secondary school, that increases their chances of working jobs with better pay than their parents and even looking for greater opportunities. Girls’ education increases their future income, prevents child marriage and decreases their mortality rate. 1 Room to Read is a nonprofit that focuses on literacy and girls’ education. They argue in their annual report that “when children are educated, they are healthier. Their job opportunities improve. For every year that they stay in school, their earnings increase by 10 percent. They are more civically engaged and less dependent on social welfare. They are more likely to educate their children and break the cycle of generational poverty.” 2 Education empowers children, especially girls. However, millions of girls worldwide irregularly attend school or even drop out. Without education, many g

When we ask how can illiteracy be solved, we must understand the factors that promote literacy. The different factors that contribute to illiteracy can be approached in different ways. Organizations and governments are familiar with these factors, and many programs worldwide are working to solve this issue. Globally, we enjoy an 86% literacy rate, which is an incredible increase from the 12% of 1820. 1 However, there are still 773 million people who do not have enough literacy skills to complete daily tasks, such as reading street signs for public transportation. 2 The number one contributor to illiteracy is poverty, followed closely by gender bias, meaning more women than men are illiterate worldwide. 3 This means that to solve illiteracy, poverty must be addressed. If a family is merely trying to survive day to day, schooling will fall lower and lower on their list of priorities even if they understand how important it is. GFA World has two programs that impoverished families in be

When it comes to knowing how to combat illiteracy, organizations and governments have learned a lot about effective approaches both for children and adults. Children who live in poverty often have illiterate parents. Reading and writing can lead to better-paying jobs and a chance to break out of poverty. Without these skills, many parents are left doing manual day labor jobs, such as brick-making or agricultural labor in fields. Rarely are these jobs enough to maintain expenses for basic needs let alone enough to support a family in the traditional way. This is why children are often taken out of school. There is no money for school expenses, so children are left to fend for themselves at home or on the streets while their parents are at work. They may also be taken out of school to care for other siblings or even to start work themselves. This is where organizations can intervene and disrupt the cyclical nature of illiteracy by helping to keep children in school. GFA’s Child Sponsorsh

The challenges of adult learning and literacy are different than those of teaching a group of children in school who are at approximately the same level. Teaching literacy to adults must be approached with a different mindset. Here are considerations provided by Teach Reading: 1 Be empathetic and keep it simple Use high frequency words Use phonics suitable for adults Use age-appropriate stories Practice reading out loud Relate reading to real-life situations Set goals Adults already have a full plate of responsibilities when they come to the task of learning to read. They may be tired and have things on their mind. This is especially true of those caught in the cycle of poverty who come from generations of illiterate family members. Many are struggling to survive on a day-to-day basis. Providing them with opportunities to learn is essential if they or their family have any chance of escaping the straits of poverty that can bind generations. Supporting organizations that can provide the

From international organizations with global reach to state-based non-profits serving their own population, hundreds of philanthropic groups research, write curriculum and fund solutions that address the question of how to fix illiteracy. Illiteracy has been identified as one of the top problems connected to poverty and its cyclical and generational nature. Learning how to combat illiteracy and becoming part of the solution is a worldwide need. Dr. Radhika Kapur of the University of Delhi wrote, “In India, there have been [a] number of individuals, especially who belong to economically backward sections, socio-economically deprived groups, disadvantaged groups and deprived categories, who are not able to acquire any kind of education or literacy skills.” 1 In his research on illiteracy, Dr. Kapur went on to write, “The impacts of illiteracy upon the lives of the individuals are always negative and have unconstructive influences, when they are not able to read, write or solve numerical

Millions of children are child labor victims every year; most child laborers live in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Asia has a long-lasting child labor history. Why is child labor common in Asia? Limited resources — Poverty is a significant contributor to child labor. Many countries throughout Asia experience extreme poverty that limits families’ access to food, water, shelter, education and more. Families living in poverty do not have options; many families need their children to work to survive. Limited opportunities — Many adults across Asia are relegated to difficult labor in fields and factories because they do not qualify for higher-paying work or there are no better jobs in their villages or cities. Low-income jobs create financial insecurity for families. Some parents may work long hours every day and still not make enough to feed their families. Child laborers provide crucial income for impoverished families. Limited education — Undereducated parents are less likely to

Child labor is a serious concern; over 152 million children worldwide are victims of child labor. 1 Children experiencing poverty are most at risk for becoming victims of child labor; poverty frequently causes child labor. So how can we alleviate poverty to protect children from harsh working conditions? Child labor solutions might include providing food, resources for children to attend school or skills training for adults. Food support Between 720 and 811 million people do not receive adequate nutrition worldwide; a large number of these are children. 2 Many impoverished families experience food insecurity because they cannot afford the nutritious food needed to promote their health or afford even enough food to survive. Chickens, goats, and cows, among other animals, all offer families new sources of income that can help them buy necessities for their families. When animals help relieve the financial burden of food, medicine and housing expenses, extra help working to bring in in

Child labor impacts most of the world, and this exploitive practice deprives children of opportunities to learn, grow and play. Child labor must end. What solutions will help end child labor? Education — Education instills critical thinking in children, as well as good values such as hard work, honesty and respect for others. Education also increases their job and pay opportunities, which can help them break cycles of generational poverty. Education empowers children. Nutrition — Children need clean water and nutritious food to grow and survive. Nutritious food promotes healthy physical and mental development, boosts children’s immune systems and provides children with energy. Clean water also protects children from dehydration and waterborne diseases like dysentery, cholera, and rotavirus. Child sponsorship is a fantastic opportunity to provide life-changing resources for children and their families. Child sponsorship helps alleviate poverty, provides for crucial needs and protects

Child labor is any “…work performed by a child that is likely to interfere with his or her right to education, or to be harmful to his or her health or physical, mental, spiritual, moral or social development.” 1 Child labor examples are prevalent in agriculture, mining, factories and more. Globally, there is a high demand for fast fashion, fish, metals and many other products for which children provide cheap, unskilled labor. The International Labour Organization estimates that 152 million children—roughly 1 in 10 children worldwide—between 5-17 years old are victims of child labor. 2 Child labor history is extensive and tragic. Child laborers work long, difficult hours. Their jobs may expose them to hazardous chemicals and materials, crowded workspaces, and abuse. Employers can deprive children of food, sleep, and even medical care to motivate them to work. What are specific child labor examples? Agriculture The ILO estimates that over 70% of child laborers work in agriculture. 3

Throughout much of history, illiteracy remedies have been tested. GFA states the importance of literacy: As a disabler, “Illiteracy is more dominant than poverty, more dominant than a chronic physical disability, and more dominant than even an oppressive social system.” 1 GFA World provides the following illiteracy remedies: Literacy classes – These classes teach adults how to identify letters and write them and how those letters work together to make sounds and words. When adults learn to read, they can understand street signs, directions, labels and agreements. They can also help their children with their homework and read to them. Literacy classes make a lifechanging difference in the lives of adults who are living in poverty. GFA classes focus on teaching both reading and writing. Each participant receives a workbook, and the class learns basic skills by working through the book together. Numeracy training – Classes that teach numeracy are critical to literacy. Even going to the

GFA World has been helping women in Asia learn to read for decades. We have seen firsthand the changes that happen when missionaries train others to learn how to read and spell, for adults especially. Adults who learn to read find hope. Here are two examples: Neelawas 40-years-old and illiterate. She lived in shame, especially in front of her neighbors. 1 Then Neela was introduced to GFA literacy classes , and she was determined to take full advantage of the opportunity: “From today onward, I will not be ashamed [in front] of others for not knowing how to read or write. I will not be lazy but give my best and learn how to read and write. After I learn, I will read the Bible and memorize Scripture verses.” Neela had the privilege of having the world of letters opened to her, and it filled her with a newfound confidence and joy. GFA missionaries showed Neela their love and support. They also helped Nami, one of Neela’s classmates. Nami’s husband is a pastor, and he encouraged her to joi

A learn to read program for adults creates a dramatic change in the life of a person. How can you become involved? Here are some ideas: Personally understand the plight – First, take some time to consider what it would be like to be unable to read and write. Make a list of the times you read or write something during one day. You’ll be surprised at how long your list is—everything from identifying your breakfast cereal, reading medicine bottles, understanding the news, reading street signs … the list goes on and on. Once your list is complete, take some time to thank God for your literacy. Talk to people in your local community about illiteracy in your town. What are the statistics in your local area? Visit literacy classes in your area and talk to people about how the classes are changing their lives. Pray about how you can support one person in their literacy efforts. Maybe it is someone you know or maybe it is a stranger across the globe. Be intentional about helping someone by v

In many impoverished countries, illiteracy is a barrier that holds people back from higher-paying jobs and more fulfilling opportunities. Illiteracy is a key factor in the continuing cycle of poverty—generation after generation locked in privation. Classes that share how to learn how to read, for adults or children, create a practical solution to a solvable problem. It is estimated that over 250 million women in Asia today are unable to read and write. 1 Many of these women long to become literate and fulfill hopes and dreams; literacy classes are a practical way to help them. A survey conducted by GFA World’s Women’s Fellowship in Nepal found that almost all the women in their fellowships and churches have a desire to read the Bible. Sadly, more than 60 percent are illiterate. 2 These women’s fellowships stepped into action. Thirteen teachers from eight different churches came together with a great goal of educating the women in their churches in the basic skills of reading, writin