The Illiterate Widow
Literacy classes are giving new hope to women like Shila who otherwise go their entire lives without learning to read and write.After her husband died, 30-year-old Shila struggled to provide for her three children...
The daughter of farmers, Shila never had much opportunity in life.
She didn’t go to school and she was married young – at 17 years old.
13 years later, Shila’s husband died, leaving her with three children to care for.
Shila found work as a maid – but she barely earned enough to feed her kids.
When she was offered a position at the company where her husband used to work, Shila was elated! Now, she could take good care of her family.
But her happiness was short lived.
In the office, Shila’s task was to carry files from one department to another. However, Shila couldn't read, so sometimes she carried the wrong papers to the departments.
Shila felt humiliated and ashamed ... and frightened that she could lose her job.
Then, a friend told Shila about a free Adult Literacy class that met nearby each evening. Shila knew education was the key to keeping her job and providing for her family. She immediately joined the class.
As she gradually improved her reading ability, Shila gained new respect from her coworkers.
Shila began as an office assistant who carried files. But now she works at her own desk where she sorts files and sends them to the right places through her assistant.
Shila says she owes all her success to the literacy program. Today, Shila’s children are studying in school.
Pray that the Holy Spirit will transform Shila’s heart through her relationship with the Christian literacy teacher and the Bible-based lessons. She still fears the wrath of the Hindu gods and opposition from her family.
