ADRA

The statistics are grim:

• Two-thirds of the world’s illiterate are women and girls.
• Women earn one-tenth of the world’s income.
• Women own just one-hundredth of the world’s land.

ADRA is committed to providing opportunities for women to become literate and gain basic life skills.

If a woman has some education, her family will have better housing, more income, cleaner water, and improved sanitation. And when a mother learns to read and write, suddenly it becomes a priority that her children learn to do so as well.

ADRA has set a goal to provide $1.5 million in initiatives for women’s education, and our education programs are already changing lives for the better:

When our staff in Cambodia first met Mrs. Hang Sothea, she was completely illiterate and a victim of domestic violence. ADRA invited her to attend a village literacy class called a "Reflect Circle."

The education she received in that small group changed everything. In addition to learning to read and write, she learned the importance of boiling water, which has dramatically cut down on illnesses among her children. She now understands the importance of a clean home and clean food. She is learning techniques for improving the yield of their tiny farm. The family is enjoying more income, and she is learning how to handle outbreaks of domestic violence.

"I thank God that this program exists in my community." -Hang Sothea

ADRA’s assistance has changed Hang Sothea’s life. Help us give other women the tools they need to improve theirs.

Rupa Thapa lives in a village in southwestern Nepal, near the border with India. Recently, she joined an ADRA project that teaches women to read and write, and covers health issues and women’s rights. When the women finish, ADRA gives them an animal, such as a goat, to help them earn an income.

Because of ADRA’s program, Rupa’s situation has improved dramatically:

"Before, I would use my fingerprint to sign. But then I learned to write. I also learned about hygiene, cleaning the house, preparing nutritious food, and how to look after the goat that I received from ADRA. I didn’t have any experience caring for goats. I’m happy because the goat is expecting a baby goat, which I’ll provide to other women in the project.

"I’m willing to continue these activities in the group and obtain more training because it will continue to change my life. I hope ADRA will expand its work so that it can reach many more people like me in other communities. I’m thankful to ADRA."

Give a woman a chance...

To be safe

To learn

To earn her own way.