Literacy Day

In September Papua joined in celebrating International Literacy Day.

In an article entitled "Economic and social indicators in West Papua", Jim Elmslie said this about the literacy rate in Papua: "Literacy is also very poor – the worst in Indonesia. In the 15-44 years age group Papua province had an illiteracy rate of 34.83% in 2011, the latest figures available. This is against a national average of just 2.30%. The next worst province was Sulawesi Barat which had an illiteracy rate of 6.49%. The 15 plus years age group fared no better; again the worst in the nation by a huge margin which is still growing: in 2003 the illiteracy rate was 25.54 but by 2011 it had leapt up to 35.92%. This clearly indicates that the Indonesian educational system is failing the West Papuans. Without education and basic literacy individuals are doomed to entrenched poverty."

Some women that I have high respect for led the way in planning and preparing for the big day. It was an interesting way things unfolded. Their previous location was unavailable and the celebration was relocated to a local field. This field is a memorial to a Papuan who was a proponent for Papuan independence. In the afternoons this field is used for local soccer teams to practice.

After a week of rain, and much prayers, God blessed us with no rain for the day of the festival. The local military donated tents and chairs and tables were set up as well. Local ministries set up booths to promote the work they are apart of. Young children enjoyed crafts and games that taught them letters and numbers. Adults enjoyed the challenge of tangrams ( What is a Tangram? ).

Josh, Kate, and I met during a lunch hour to stroll through the celebration. We didn't stay long, due to the heat and feeding a hungry little one. We saw people with smiles on their faces. Free books were being distributed. Translated versions of portions of the New Testament were being loaded to cell phones, allowing access to the Bible wherever they are! Local women were selling their handmade goods. It was encouraging to see people having fun while learning about literacy.