Sathya blossomed as she gained new confidence in her literacy class....

Overflowing with Joy

Literacy opened doors for Kajani that she never thought possible...

Looking at her big smile now, you wouldn't guess that Kajani once summed up her life in one word: "vanthanai." Painful.

Kajani was married at age 13.

She blindly worshipped her family's Hindu god. Kajani practiced "pain sacrifices," which included piercing her cheeks and walking on hot coals.

Kajani also presented sacrifices to the god every week, hoping it would bless her with prosperity. But instead, she says, "Nothing went right."

Tragedy strikes - twice

In a span of just three months, Kajani's two children - a son and a daughter - both died.

When her son was 12, he began experiencing heart problems. Kajani's in-laws counseled her, "Don't take him to the hospital. If you do, our god will think you lack faith and will let your son die." So, Kajani never took him to the hospital for treatments.

Her son died when he was 16.

Three months later, Kajani's 9-year-old daughter caught the chicken pox. Kajani thought that her daughter was inhabited by a goddess, a traditional belief in her village. Neighbors came and performed rituals - waving palm leaves and burning incense.

One week later, her daughter was dead. Kajani was crushed.

"It's my fault my children died," she thought. Dousing her body in kerosene, she tried to burn herself to death. Her husband stopped her.

New hope for today

The couple moved to a new village, hoping for a fresh start.

Kajani enrolled in an Adult Literacy Class. When she developed chest pains, the class prayed to Jesus. And Kajani was healed!

Finally, Kajani had found a God who answers prayers!

During her class, Kajani received Jesus as her Savior. She gave Jesus all her troubles and pain, and she realized she was not guilty for the death of her children. Peace filled her heart for the first time.

Kajani led her husband to faith in Christ, too. She says, "God's Word has been my encouragement. If I couldn't read, I couldn't be encouraged."

Literacy brings freedom

Before she learned how to read, Kajani was unable to travel any farther than she could walk. She couldn't read signs. She felt invisible. Embarrassed.

Once, she had to travel by bus. She asked men at the bus station, "Where does this bus go?"

They laughed at her. "This bus goes to the center for prostitutes," they lied. That day, Kajani vowed she would learn how to read someday.

Now an Adult Literacy graduate, Kajani travels alone by bus or train every year to visit relatives. Recently, she helped an illiterate woman find the right bus and even paid her fare!

Kajani started saving for the first time during her class. After graduating, Kajani bought a small goat with the money she had saved. She bred the goat.

Now, she raises at least 10 new goats each year! She sells them for profit, and her literacy skills help her get a fair price.

Sharing Jesus

But Kajani says that the most important thing she gained from her Adult Literacy Class is Jesus.

Kajani has brought more than 20 people to Christ in her village. And she started a house church. She's being trained as a Mission India Church Planter.

"God is my source of hope, and telling others about Jesus has given my life new purpose," she says.

What word does Kajani use to describe her life now? "Santhosam." Joy.

A literacy class gave Jayan skills to write her name, make correct change, increase her income, and live a healthier life...