“My name is Milagrosa. I am 14 years old. My father abandoned us 14 years ago when I was born with heart trouble.

My mother works to support our family, and during the day I take care of my three brothers 16, 11, and 3, mainly the little one, and do the household chores.

Because of my heart condition, I could not advance in public school. I found out about the night Alfalit program in Honduras. My mother said I could go.

I am in Level 1. I am learning reading, writing, and mathematics. I feel good because I am learning to put words together and can read fairly well. I still do all my chores, but my mother sees my progress and encourages me to keep up my classes. I feel good that my mother says I am a great help to her.”

Milagrosa Estele Elete, Tegucigalpa, Honduras

I am Juana Domingos. I am 47 yrs old and I am a 4th grade student in Alfalit Angola. I have 5 children.

• Why are you studying at this age?
I was working at a Customs Company for 27 yrs. If I had studied I could be a boss, but because I didn’t study that was not possible. The Company hired Elisa to be responsible for the Cleaning Department and I was fired. That’s why I want to change the course of my life.

• What has changed in your life?
Ah! So many things! Before I used to go to the bank to get my salary and I had to put my fingerprint as my signature, but now, when I go, the lady still prepared everything so I could use my fingerprint, but I told her I could sign my name. I am so happy.

Before I put in the garbage many documents of my kids, but now I read them and decide before I throw them away.
My kids were very happy when I gave them the important documents.

Now I understand the Bible better than before, I don’t know why, maybe because I can read by myself.

• What is the last thing you would like to share?
May God bless my teacher and Alfalit for everything they are doing in my life

I am Luisa Nasingi. I am 32yrs old and I am a 4th grade student in Alfalit Angola. I have 2 children.

• Why are you studying at this age?
I saw some of my friends that could not read and now they do. I didn’t want to be left alone.

• What has changed in your life?
My husband had a lover and she was so fresh. She used to give me letters to give to my husband saying they were from a friend of his. One day, as I could read already, I decided to open the letters and read them and I understood she was his lover. If could not read I would never found out.

One day in Huambo province, I was walking in a deadly area, but someone read the sign that said: “There are mines here!” I could be dead if it wasn’t for that person. Now, if I knew how to read that situation could be avoided. Now, I am not going to commit myself to death, because I can read.

My husband respects me much now and helps me at home. He felt bad before because I didn’t know how to read. I am really thankful to Alfalit.