Illiteracy is part of the problem that entrenches men and women and especially women in destitution. It denies them the opportunity to get better paying jobs, afford homes, to purchase decent clothing and daily food. Without these basics, them or their children cannot stay healthy.

In the developing world there is strong connection between the educational level of parents and the health of their children.

Therefore, as a Faith based NGO United Caribbean Trust (UCT)is committed to the promotion of health for children, and thus seeks to meet the needs of women recognizing that illiteracy condemns many to unemployment, hunger, sickness and fear.

Sourced from UNESCO

Although literacy rates have increased, the region is still marked by striking disparities. The EFA Global Monitoring Report of 2008 indicates that while the adult literacy rate for Latin America is 91 per cent, it is 74 per cent in the Caribbean. This means that nearly 39 million adults in the region lack the reading and writing skills necessary to meet the demands of daily life and work, and to facilitate continuous learning in today’s knowledge societies.

Moreover, an estimated 110 million young people do not complete primary school and consequently do not have sufficient literacy skills to participate fully in their communities. The statistics indicate that several countries in the region may not achieve the Education for All goals pertaining to youth and adult learning by the target date of 2015.

In general, governments have responded to the learning needs of young people and adults mainly by expanding formal secondary and tertiary education, neglecting alternative non-formal routes for the poor and the marginalized.

UCT is looking to partner with the Bible Society of the Eastern Caribbean to introduce an Adult Literacy program into all the areas where the women's empowerment program is activated.

We are looking to partner with other organizations such as Stonecroft to promote this women's program to places like Africa, Haiti and Suriname.

A portion of the funds from the women's empowerment program will go towards translation of all the material needed to extend these programs into the poor and needy and we are trusting God that the Adult Literacy program will be one that can be translated. Enabling us to take it to the 'Forgotten people' who God has not forgotten.