VALENCIA, Spain, AUG. 22, 2002 (Zenit.org).- A handful of nuns are opening the world of reading to thousands of children in Chad.
Four Spanish nuns, of the Congregation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, taught more than 2,000 children to read during the last school term. The instruction was carried out in 11 community schools spread over the Bongord region in the central African republic of 8.7 million, AVAN agency reported.
Moreover, close to 200 young people are now being trained in agricultural technical schools, which the nuns have established in the same region.
Sister Carmen Rosales explained that the purpose of these programs is to «reduce the high rural exodus [and] hunger, as well as to train good producers who will know how to take advantage of the rich resources of the land.»
The nuns implemented these educational programs, which are «directed to the formation of the youngest,» because they «are key for the prosperity of any people,» Sister Rosales added.
«It was the parents themselves, the majority illiterate, who encouraged us to teach their children,» the nun continued.
Last year the nuns trained more than 60 teachers, who now give basic instruction to students in reading and writing, oral expression and mathematics, among other fundamental subjects.
Sister Rosales said that 35% of children and youth attend school in the Bongord region.
