IT'S INTERNATIONAL LITERACY DAY!

It's International Literacy Day today! Can you imagine not being able to read or write? I certainly can't! Yet the sad reality is that millions of people in poverty are illiterate. Why is literacy so important? There are so many reasons that literacy is important, but I'm going to give you three.

For one, literacy is important because it helps people unlock their full potential. 

So many people are kept in the clutches of poverty simply because they cannot read or write. Without literacy, they cannot get better jobs to support themselves and their families. And without better jobs, many families find themselves unable to send their children to school, which contributes to the cycle of illiteracy. Literacy is important not only for individuals caught in this cycle, but also whole societies. 

Literacy helps people unlock their full potential and rise above this cycle. Let's look at the United States for example. Back in the day, when colonists were coming from Europe to the New World, they put an emphasis on education for the common people. They broke the mold of illiteracy that had been the social norm in Europe. And guess what? America grew to be a strong, prosperous nation with many citizens that have made an impact on the world today. That's the power of a good education, my friends.

Secondly, literacy is important because it brings joy and helps people dream. 

Can you imagine not being able to pick up a book and read? Not knowing how to write your own name? Looking at this blog post and wondering what in the world all of these letters meant? Think of all of the joy from reading and writing that would be taken away! Think of all of the places you wouldn't visit through reading, the people you wouldn't meet, the things you wouldn't learn. Think of the dreams that wouldn't be there... Imagine all of the kids who don't have the joy and the dreams that we have all because they can't read or write. It's heartbreaking to me, an avid reader and writer. I have a hard time imagining this reality.

Not only that, but literacy helps decrease the risk of human trafficking and exploitation. Have you noticed something? Poverty is something that greatly contributes to illiteracy. But armed with literacy, people in poverty can rise above the risks that come from human trafficking and exploitation. They can better themselves with literacy, which in turn can help get them out of poverty. I could go on about this, friends.

That's the power of words in a nutshell. So now what can we do? How can we help break the chains of illiteracy? For one, we can join together and pray. Pray that people all over the world will be able to gain literacy skills. Prayer is one of the most important things we can join together in.

Secondly, we can help break the cycle of poverty that also keeps people mired in illiteracy. Great Christian organizations such as Compassion International and Amazima Ministries help educate children not only to read and write, but also provide material needs (such as food and medical attention) and, most importantly, the Gospel. Supporting ministries such as these helps educate children and breaks this cycle of poverty and illiteracy.

These are just some of the ways we can break the cycle of illiteracy. Let's go change the world, my friends. <3

Below is a list of the sources I used while writing this blog post: 

Compassion International "International Literacy Day" https://www.compassion.com/world-days/international-literacy-day.htm

Compassion International "Effects of Poverty on Children" https://www.compassion.com/poverty/effects-of-poverty-on-children.htm 

Project Literacy https://www.projectliteracy.com/you-wont-believe-how-many-people-cant-read-sentence

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this! Do you have any ideas as to how we can help stomp out illiteracy?