In 2010, three ATN Volunteers attended Literacy International’s Literacy Institute in Tulsa, OK. They were trained how to use LI’s Firm Foundation Literacy materials to teach others how to read and write their heart language. These materials, developed in dozens of languages, all use the same method and technique. Thus, once a teacher learns the method, he or she can use the materials in any language. These three ATN volunteers returned to Rwanda and trained other ATN volunteers and staff to use these materials.
In the summer of 2011, Christine Crowson, began a pilot Kinyarwanda Literacy class with vulnerable women in Kicukiro using LI’s Kinyarwanda Literacy materials. The class began with one and quickly grew to four. Christine was then able to model and train a Rwandan woman how to use the materials to teach others. Now, she is doing the lessons and Christine is in a mentor/advisor role.
The joy on someone’s face when they learn to read is indescribable. Our hope is that all Rwandans will be able to receive this gift: reading and writing in their heart language of Kinyarwanda.
