Background

Lerato, a 44-year-old woman from a rural area in South Africa, grew up in poverty. With her family struggling to make ends meet, Lerato had to drop out of school at a very young age to help with household chores and work in the field. As a result, she never learned to read or write and was considered completely illiterate.

Challenge

Life was a daily struggle for Lerato. Her illiteracy affected every aspect of her life. It kept her confined to low-paying, labour-intensive jobs. She couldn’t read street signs, fill out forms, or understand basic written instructions. Simple tasks, like going to the clinic and understanding medical prescriptions, were daunting and required her to rely on others for assistance. She felt ashamed and isolated from her community, where literacy was often linked to respect and social standing. Lerato felt trapped in a cycle of poverty, unable to improve her circumstances due to her lack of education.

The Turning Point

Lerato’s life began to change when she learned about a night school program at a church in her area. The program, run by a local NGO, was designed to help adults who had never received formal education to learn basic literacy and numeracy skills. Although Lerato had always been embarrassed by her illiteracy, she realized that this could be an opportunity to improve her life.

With determination, Lerato decided to enrol in the night school. The classes were held three evenings a week making it accessible for people who needed to work during the day. Lerato was nervous at first, feeling out of place among other adults who, like her, had struggled with illiteracy for most of their lives.

The Journey

In the beginning, Lerato struggled to keep up. Holding a pen felt unfamiliar, and the letters on the page seemed confusing and overwhelming. But Lerato was determined. She practised writing the alphabet at home, tracing letters repeatedly until they made sense. Gradually, she moved from writing single letters to forming simple words and eventually reading short sentences.

The night school also focused on practical literacy skills. Lerato learned how to read road signs, fill out forms, and understand basic instructions. Her teacher incorporated everyday tasks into the lessons, making the learning process relevant and immediately useful. For instance, Lerato learned how to read a recipe, write a shopping list, and understand public transportation schedules.

Transformation

As Lerato’s literacy skills improved, her confidence grew. She started to feel a sense of empowerment that she had never experienced before. Simple tasks that once intimidated her became manageable. She could now go to the clinic alone, read her medical prescriptions, and understand the instructions without needing help. This newfound independence gave Lerato a sense of pride and dignity.

One of the most significant changes in Lerato’s life came when she applied for a job at a local supermarket. For the first time, she could fill out the job application form by herself. She was hired as a packer, and within a few months, a cashier position was offered to her, which required her to interact with customers and handle transactions—tasks she could not have imagined doing before learning to read and write. This job provided Lerato with a steady income, which allowed her to improve her living conditions and provide better for her children.

Lerato’s transformation didn’t stop there. With her new skills, she began participating more actively in her community. She joined a women’s group at her church, where she volunteered to help organize events and read aloud during meetings. Lerato even started mentoring other women in her village, encouraging them to join the night school and take control of their own lives.

Impact

Lerato’s journey from illiteracy to literacy had a profound impact not only on her life but also on her family and community. Her children, inspired by their mother’s determination, became more focused on their studies, understanding the importance of education in breaking the cycle of poverty. Lerato’s story also motivated other illiterate adults in her community to seek out educational opportunities, creating a ripple effect that began to change the fabric of the village.

Lerato’s ability to read and write opened doors that had been closed to her for decades. She became a more confident, self-reliant individual who could navigate the world with

a sense of purpose and dignity. Her journey showed that it’s never too late to learn and that literacy is not just about reading and writing but about empowering people to live fuller, more independent lives.

Conclusion

Lerato’s case demonstrates the transformative power of literacy education for adults. By overcoming her illiteracy, Lerato was able to break free from the limitations that had held her back for so long. Her life was completely changed—she found employment, gained confidence, and became an active and respected member of her community. Lerato’s story is a powerful reminder that with the right support and determination, it’s possible to turn one’s life around at any age.