Adult Literacy Initiative in Wallacha, Ethiopia

In February 2023, I embarked on a mission to improve literacy among the people of Wallacha, Wolayta region in Ethiopia. This initiative was aimed to empower adults who had not previously had the opportunity to learn reading and writing skills. The focus was on teaching Latin letters, numbers, Amharic alphabets, and English alphabets. The goal was for them to be able to write their names and signatures using a pen instead of their fingers.

Sr. Addise Agago with the Adult Literacy Students

After sharing my vision of adult literacy with Sr. Maureen Bennett, MSC, I was met with enthusiasm and support. She kindly provided exercise books and pens, essential tools for our teaching efforts. The MSCs and laity were also very supportive and appreciated the effort to uplift the community through education. In 2023 and 2024, I taught four days a week for two hours each day, reaching 21 women and one man, who was the caretaker of our compound.

In 2024, Wolayta region faced significant challenges, including a period of death and sickness that affected the community for five months. During this difficult time, many requested a pause in the program to focus on their social responsibilities and personal situations. Despite these challenges, the spirit and determination of the community remained strong.

Class in session

By the end of December 2025, the program expanded to include 30 adult learners, with 28 women and two men. Cabrini Ministries joined in supporting the initiative by providing a teacher to collaborate with us, along with additional exercise books and pens. We adjusted our teaching schedule to twice a week for six hours each session. The impact has been profound. Out of the 30 students, 26 can now write their names and signatures. The remaining four continue to make progress. Beyond literacy, we also teach essential life skills, such as saving money, personal hygiene, and household management, including cleaning and caring for plants.

Though the journey has been challenging, witnessing the transformation in our students fills us with gratitude and happiness. The ability to read and write opens doors to new opportunities and instills a sense of pride and independence. We are committed to continuing this vital work and look forward to seeing even more positive changes in the lives of the Wolayta Wallacha community.

By Sr. Addise Agago, MSC.