The goal of this project is to help around 5,000 Sgaw Karen people in remote areas learn to read, write and count. Eradicating illiteracy will help the people to be able to claim their basic human rights, access Scripture for themselves and gain the knowledge of the gospel. 

In 2025, the goal is to reach 1,800 literacy students (both adults and children learners) among the Sgaw Karen people in 15 Associations, through 120 classes.  

In January – March, the project aims to complete the printing of 1,960 textbooks and storybooks, and its distribution to the target areas. April – June will see the training of 120 literacy facilitators; July – September will be the learning period of the literacy students as well as a 5-day period of training in developing study materials; and October – December is the expected completion of the classes. The last three months will also include collecting reports and testimonies from the target areas.  

The literacy program has continued to build Karen people’s literacy skills, contributing to the improvement of overall literacy in their community. As the literacy program teaches them to comprehend and analyse written texts in their language, it gives them the opportunity to deepen their understanding of their language and a perspective on how valuable it is to preserve and enrich. 

This project also aims to foster spiritual growth in these learners as 80% of the literacy primers will include Bible engagement content, enriching Karen literature with biblical teachings. Therefore, the Karen people are anticipated to genuinely experience God’s love through these materials.  

The wider community has expressed gratitude for the literacy program, recognising its benefits. Given that Christians are a minority, this program stands as a highly effective method for evangelism, having a significant practical and spiritual impact in the community.