The Adventist Literacy School of Muya Seventh Day Adventist church was able to graduate twenty-six (26) of its pioneer students under the guidance of Patricia Saria and assisted by husband Owen Saria.
Literacy teacher, Mrs Saria suffered from a stroke in 2019 and this prevented the school from graduating the students.
This year she was able to have the graduation and also graduate as well with her students as a level two (2) literacy teacher.
The program was run for six (6), with three (3) months for level one (1) were they were taught Tok Pisin and three (3) months for level two (2), for English.
Mrs Saria said when she was faced with the illness she could not continue but her husband stepped in to assist her, and she is grateful for that.
She also extended thanks to the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) PNG for giving her the opportunity to teach adults the basics of reading and writing.
ADRA PNG Church Partnership Program senior M&E officer Sam Nevegapa thanked the church for supporting the program in Muya as it is an initiative that is supported by the Australian Government.
He stressed on the importance of being able to read and write and urged others to enroll as well because education is not measured by age.
Our aim is to help others to read and write so that they can be able to read their Bibles and share the gospel.
It is voluntary work so we would like to thank Patricia Saria for giving her heart and commitment to teaching our students.
Mr Nevegapa
Morobe SDA mission, children and women’s ministries director, Nancy Enopa said the program was able to graduate more than seven hundred (700) students since its establishment.
She said the mission aims to establish more adult literacy schools around Morobe so that the rate for illiteracy in PNG will drop.
Ms Enopa also encouraged those who are illiterate to join the program and not to be discouraged because of them being adults.