In 2024 Adult Literacy program was conducted in 5 of our field languages, in 20 centers. Among Bhili tribe in 4 centers 49 people, Bhilodi tribe in 4 centers 40 people, Dhodia tribe in 5 centers 44 participants, Gamit tribe in 4 centers 45 Ladies, and Vagadi tribe in 4 centers 35 Ladies participated and became literates. Totally 223 women and men became literates during 2024.
Only 5% of the Bhili tribe are literates, hence the remaining population were very enthusiastic to learn to read and write and become literates. In Dhodia tribe, even though 80% of them are literates, the remaining population also want to fully utilize the opportunity given to them to learn to become literates. Bhilodi and Gamit people are also highly motivated to learn and our Vagadi worker tries his best to motivate his people, explaining them the need to learn to read and write. Most of the people from Bhilodi and Gamit tribes who came for our program found it difficult to hold the slate and pencil on the first day. By the end of the program they were able to read and write fluently. For most of them the motivating factor is to be able to write their name. This helped them to gain self confidence and to sign in the application forms to open bank accounts.
In Rampura, a Bhili village the program started with 16 participants. Even before starting they knew that six of them can attend the classes only for one and a half months. After that they were under compulsion to go to Gujarat to the nearby city to work as laborers. So the teacher and our worker Rasiya gave them extra coaching and made them read and write before they left. They were very happy. In spite of the opposition from the extremists, among the Dhodia tribe, 4 brave women and 1 man who are not part of the church came to learn. The participants are afraid of their picture being taken thinking that it may cause trouble to them. People from neighboring language groups called Halpathy and Naika also came to learn to read and write Dhodia with interest. As they live side by side with Dhodia people they speak and understand Dhodia language. They can read any book in the Dhodia language. Thus Dhodia Adult Literacy Program is also useful to Halpathy and Naika tribes.
