How Can Illiteracy Be Solved?

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 becoming literate:

1. Child Sponsorship Program

Through a $35 per month sponsorship, GFA World’s Child Sponsorship Program provides community-wide solutions that provide children and their families with key resources and support such as nutritious food, medical care, clean water and tutoring assistance. These key essentials help families keep children in school which is essential to breaking generational illiteracy.

2. Income generating gifts through our Christmas Gift Catalog Program

Through the Christmas Gift Catalog program, donors can choose gifts which GFA missionaries distribute all year long to impoverished families earn extra income. For example, with the gift of a cow, the family can make ghee from the milk and sell it. Or with a piglet, the family can breed the pig and start a herd. With these extra forms of income, their children can stay in school and learn to read and write as they should, taking those skills into adulthood to secure better-paying jobs.


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