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Invincible Vision 20/20

Teaching Women Reading, Writing & Financial Literacy

ISSUE:
In the Byimana Sector of rural Kigali, 62.4% of the female population is illiterate, and lack adequate reading and writing skills to inform their knowledge of laws that protect them and their families. Without these skills, these women are essentially excluded from development and are unable to participate fully in society.

SOLUTION:
Invincible Vision 20/20 provides training for illiterate women in reading, writing and basic math skills so that they feel empowered to become active participants in society and take charge of their own development. As a creative resourcing strategy to cover their ongoing operating costs, the team encourages local school children and their participants to collect rocks, broken bricks and firewood from the side of the road. After about one to two weeks, the team collects enough to sell a truckload to construction companies, earning the funds necessary to pay teacher salaries. The team is also raising pigs and rabbits in partnership with the women and selling the offspring to cover other operating expenses.

IMPACT:
Targeting 1,270 women in its first year of operations, Invincible Vision 20/20 was able to enroll 1,260 women and 764 are regularly attending. In the last 6 months, the program has expanded its course offerings to provide three different training programs based on skill levels. Many men have also asked to attend. In spring 2009, the project also added trainings on women's rights and laws protecting the family, and the team has been teaching various consciousness practices they learned at Global Grassroots' Academy. In 2010, the team has enrolled a further 226 women.

The team uses examinations and surveys to measure its progress in teaching women to read, write, open bank accounts, perform financial tasks on their own, participate in local government and develop the courage to approach local authorities and police to report violations of the rights of other women. With literacy and basic mathematical instruction, the team believes these women will be better equipped to bring change for the future generations of Byimana.