When Wini was a young girl, her mother gave birth to twins. Wini had to quit school to stay home and help her mother. But she longed to be in school. She longed to read like other kids her age.

Then Wini got a second chance.

As a 22-year-old, Wini was invited by the local Bible Society to participate in a Bible literacy class in her village. But Wini was afraid she would never learn to read. She thought it was too late. Moreover, her neighbors ridiculed her, saying that learning to read and write meant she was neglecting her housework. But Wini didn’t give up.

Today, Wini is literate. She learned to read using the Bible. And not only can Wini read but her life has also been transformed by the life-giving words of Scripture. She now knows about God’s unending love for her.

International Literacy Day

There are nearly 773 million illiterate people in the world, according to data released by UNESCO. This is a global problem especially affecting many areas in Asia and Africa.

International Literacy Day, celebrated annually on September 8, was launched in 1966 by UNESCO in response to this problem. It is a day to remind the public of the importance of literacy for individuals, communities, and societies, and the need for intensified efforts towards more literate societies.

To that end, American Bible Society and Bible Societies around the world have launched Bible literacy programs to teach illiterate people to read while also learning about Jesus! So not only are these people gaining the skills to make a better future for themselves, but they are also growing in relationship with God.

Today, Bible Societies around the world are running 72 Bible literacy programs in nations like Bangladesh, Bolivia, Finland, Ghana, Haiti, Nicaragua, Rwanda, Serbia, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam. Please pray that these literacy programs will bring confidence to people around the world as they develop reading skills and learn of God’s hope for their lives.

Let’s Pray Together

Father, we pray for the success of literacy programs around the world. We ask you to help all participants learn to read and write and experience the joy of reading Scripture. We pray that becoming literate will open new doors of opportunity for people who live in poor nations. We also pray that as people read Scripture they will grow spiritually, committing their lives to follow Jesus.