Literacy important, says language director

By DAVID WAPAR
LITERACY is important in order to change lives and transform communities, Summer Institute of Language-Papua New Guinea’s director for language services, Dr Neil Coulter says.
Coulter made the comment at the end of a month-long Literacy, Leadership, Education and Development (LLEAD) course at its Ukarumpa training centre in Eastern Highlands last Wednesday.
Participants from Northern, Morobe, Madang, New Ireland, Eastern Highlands and Enga between the ages of 31 and 50 attended to further help in teaching adult literacy and contribute to other aspects of community development.
Addressing the 16 graduates, Coulter said LLEAD was the first in a set of four modules that would equip participants.
“But it goes even further than that, giving students practical methods for positive development within their communities,” he said.
“Our organisation’s vision statement says: “We desire to see Papua New Guineans knowing and living God’s word, leading to changed lives and transformed communities.”
“The LLEAD course is a key part in realising that vision,” he said.
A student from Oro Carson Evari said all lessons were good but he was more impressed with the lessons on community development and leadership.
Another Oro participant, Taylor Tioja said it had always been his dream to learn computing.
“I was praying and God opened the doors for me to come. I pray that God will allow me to apply the skills and knowledge that I have learned here in the course so that I can use that knowledge to bring development and changes to my people,” he said.
With the help of LLEAD, the participants created over 50 books to take back to their language groups and teach literacy.