John's Story
Transformation of education
John Lin, a 55-year-old farmer from a rural village in Myanmar, has spent his entire life working the land to support his family. Growing up as the eldest son, John took on responsibilities at a young age, working in agriculture to help his parents and siblings survive. However, like many others in his village, John never had the opportunity to attend school. Without the ability to read, write, or understand basic arithmetic, he faced daily limitations, from understanding market prices to navigating basic tasks around his community.
Living with his son and five daughters, John continued working hard to provide for his family, yet he felt the impact of his limited education. Despite his dedication, he struggled to find new ways to improve their lives or expand his farm. That all changed when ADRA introduced a literacy programme to his village, aiming to equip adults with foundational skills that could empower them to achieve more in their daily lives and livelihoods.
Eager to make a change, John joined the programme with both hope and nervousness, surrounded by people of all ages and backgrounds. At first, the classes were challenging—he didn’t know Burmese characters, couldn’t write his own name, and was unfamiliar with even basic math. However, with encouragement from his teachers and his own determination, John began making steady progress. Over time, he learned to write his name, read common signs and notices, and do simple calculations like addition and subtraction.
For John, these newfound skills were more than just words and numbers. Literacy meant he could start envisioning a different future: understanding market prices, helping his children with schoolwork, and even dreaming of expanding his farm into a small business. With his growing confidence, John expressed his gratitude for the programme and advocated for a one-month extension, which ADRA granted, allowing him and his classmates even more time to learn.
John’s journey didn’t only affect him—it inspired others in the village. Seeing his progress, more people joined the classes, realizing the potential that literacy could bring. Now, equipped with the knowledge and skills to achieve more, John continues to dream of expanding his farm and making a positive impact within his community.
This Christmas, your support can help bring this same hope to families like John’s. By supporting ADRA’s work, you’re helping transform lives through education, empowerment, and community development.
