We know that as image bearers of God, we have been created with God’s good design to flourish including when we can develop our skills to read, write, and improve our communication skills. The adult literacy program of MH4H has been a joy to relaunch since 2023 and has become a renewed way of investing in the human capital of the Haitian people. We share that joy with those who are discovering a whole new world!

Starting with a vision of what people can be when they can read and write, we are motivating people to look beyond the next day into the future to imagine how God can use them as disciples of Christ with skills to read and write in their mother language of Haitian Kreyòl. As leaders for MH, we are putting into practice our definition of leadership of helping people move from where they are to where God wants them to be.

The Bible League material is designed to build on learning basic sounds associated with letters and syllables, learning relevant vocabulary from everyday life, and building sentences from the very beginning. The first 44 lessons progressively build on this leading to another 22 lessons that introduce the student to OT and NT Bible lessons.

A typical class opens with singing, prayer, scripture reading, and review of the previous lesson, then the class is introduced to the new lesson followed by time for practicing writing and achieving comprehension from excersices in a workbook.

Other activities include matching vocabulary cards with pictures, recognizing previous words, and special activities such as: telling time, writing thank you cards, and learning about the fruits of the spirit.

Let’s get to know three of our most recent students! 

Manitha, a younger mother, often needed to bring her child to class because of the distance required to walk back to her home after the PMJ (First 1,000 Days) program. This presents a unique challenge to be motivated to come to class while still needed to watch her child.

Manitha does an individual recitation in front of the class to demonstarte her reading comprehension.

Manitha graduates from Level 1 and Level 2 after 9 months. Also pictured are teachers Faviolande and François (L-R).

Arilouse, an older mother, with adult children but still having a child in primary school, needs to find time to work in the Alpha Gardens at our center to provide for her family and sell produce to the program.

Arilouse does an individual recitation in front of the class to demonstrate her reading comprehension. Perhaps she will be able to encourage and help her child now as he advances in school.

Arilouse graduates from Level 1 and Level 2. Each graduate receives a certificate of accomplishment.

Antonio is a sugar cane farmer who must find time to leave his work in the middle of the day and come to the literacy class two or three times a week. This was a major challenge for him but with encouragement and persistence he was able to do it. Here he is working on a fruits of the spirit activity.

Antonio graduates from Level 1 and Level 2 after 9 months.

This is just a snapshot of three of the graduates. Each of the other graduates have various obstacles they have overcome and different stories they are living out. Life in Haiti is hard. To see these mothers and fathers have a vision of who they can become in Christ is a joy. Many never had an opportunity to go to school. At the conclusion of the course, they are gifted a book with illustrations and stories from the Bible.

We hope that they can continue to learn how to read simple Bible stories, read lyrics to songs, sign their name, support their children’s school work, perhaps start a business, read documents and announcements, and enjoy the benefits of basic reading and writing skills in their daily life. With a heart committed to Christ, it truly opens up a whole new world to contribute to the kingdom of God and the future of Haiti.

About Many Hands:

Many Hands is an Iowa-based nonprofit creating local and global life-transformation by strengthening families.  Established in 2008, the organization focuses on six key areas for transformation, including education, agronomy, leadership development, safe homes, medical assistance, and economic development. Each year, the organization reaches at least 25,000 people through their Haitian operations, IMPACT trips, and Many Hands four Thrift Markets located in the greater Des Moines, Iowa area. 

Many Hands is called to transform together, to be love in action, in a broken world.