Lira woman, 71, back to school to become knowledgeable

Lira | More than 84 adults, both men and women, from the Great Salvation Church Ministry in Lira City have returned to school to take part in the Functional Adult Literacy (FAL) program.

Celina Ekul, 71, is among those who are learning. The elder lives in Anai Pida, in the Lira City West Division.

Speaking to tndNews, Celina said she was grateful for the program because it had given her the chance to improve her writing and reading abilities.

“I discontinued my education in primary three before getting married. I believe that upon completing this functional adult literacy program, I will become a knowledgeable individual,” she said.

Rita Akoli, 50, of Anai, is another learner. She left school in primary three and began attending the Salvation Bible study in June of last year.

Among other benefits, she has since gained sufficient knowledge of liquid soap production.

Andrew Onen, the vice chairperson of Kakoge C Cell in Lira City West, thanked Patrick Arwai of the Salvation Church ministry for providing this opportunity for adults whose education had been interrupted to resume their studies.

“I am now advocating for many individuals to value adult education in order to escape poverty, as gaining knowledge through these adult studies will lead to future success,” he remarked.

Eunice Arwai, the General Overseer of the Salvation Church’s Women in Action group, praised the health minister and Lira City woman MP Dr. Jane Ruth Aceng for donating shs500,000 to the group.

She said the money will allow them to diversify their businesses after they sell their initial chicken stock.

“Currently, we are addressing the issue of young mothers, as educated individuals are emerging with viable solutions. Additionally, we have established three categories of learners: first, second, and third class,” Eunice said.

Individuals in the first category have not received any formal education, whereas those in the second category have only completed primary three. Individuals in the third category have completed primary seven.

The Functional Adult Literacy (FAL) program, which has successfully enrolled many mothers in this educational endeavor, and the women entrepreneurs were praised by Lira City’s community development officer, Tom Ricard Okello.

This initiative represents significant developmental progress for the community.

“Consequently, we will be supplying this adult literacy program with essential learning materials to enhance their educational experience.”