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t Literacy
DIN’s Adult Literacy Programme has been an important project since it first began in 2001. Basic education can help prevent poverty, sickness and conflict. Learning how to read and write opens the door to so many possibilities: keeping track of sales and purchases in small businesses, increasing knowledge about how to stay healthy and prevent HIV/AIDS, and reducing violence by encouraging understanding and tolerance. Basic education helps individuals reach their full potential as productive members of society.
DIN currently works with both the Farmer and Fulani Pastoralists communities in Obanliku and Boki LGAs (Amana, Utanga, Bebi and Bakum) The programme is helping individuals to learn to read and write in both English and Fulfulde. With 100 registered learners, women make up 87% of the total number. DIN has a particular focus on empowering women learners as they are often the ones that miss out on formal education. By empowering women in both basic literacy, business development and natural resource management, women are able to have greater control over decision making and improve their livelihoods.
Many benefits have accrued from the project. Some individuals have gained employment as a result, many are now able to recognise and sign their names, thus gaining access to health services, whilst others are gaining skills in public speaking, marketing products, saving money and recording information.
One of the most significant benefits has been the improved relationships between learners from the Farmer and Fulani communities. Some Becheve from Obanliku LGA are now able to speak Fulfulde and learners from the two communities have improved relationships, often assisting each other through monetary loans and working together in small profit making businesses.
Collaboration
DIN is working closely with the Adult Literacy Unit of Obanliku LGA Council for evaluation and issusing of certificates to the learners. Strong collaboration has been established with the National Commission for Nomadic Education (NCNE) in Kaduna, through which a consultant helped in design and curriculum development of the programme specific to the Fulani communities. DIN is in the process of obtaining radios from the commission for Nomadic radio listening groups that had been registered to facilitate learning through radio programmes broadcasted by the commission on various environmental, health and social issues. Further support has been received from the Federal Agency for Adult and Non-formal Education, Abuja, through the provision of basic English primers to facilitate learning specific for adult learners.
Future Work
DIN aims to replicate adult literacy in other villages and incorporate environmental education and gender themes along with improved agriculture technologies and forest management issues to link it with the community forestry and sustainable livelihood programmes. Literacy groups will be further encouraged to undertake other projects to put new skills and knowledge into practice and encourage continued motivation.
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