Karima's Story

I’m Karima,* one of the participants who attended your orality training. It was so practical and effective that I was compelled to take what I learned and use it back home in North Africa. I give monthly teachings to the local women at a rural church. Many are non-literate, even the younger ones.

In one of my first sessions, we were studying Jesus’ temptation in the desert. To memorise the story, I encouraged the group to draw symbols on a board. The women were very hesitant at first. A few said they ‘had never held a pen in their lives’. Eventually, an older lady stood up. Her hands were shaking with a combination of nerves, shame, and determination. She gripped the pen and began drawing. I looked at the other women and saw their eyes widen with amazement as the eldest drew a legible symbol. One by one, they came up to the board and drew motifs to represent the verses.

Once everyone had memorised the story using the symbols, I invited the elderly woman to the front again to retell the biblical passage. She retold the story with confidence and clarity. Suddenly, she began weeping. 

‘I thought I couldn’t learn. But now I know we can all learn! We are all equal, those who went to school and those who didn’t!’

As our sessions continued, their enthusiasm grew to the point they were pleading with me to meet weekly! I have seen the change in these women’s faces. What I learned through Pioneers Media has meant these women can participate and learn, just like everyone else. They feel incredibly valued and empowered.

*Name’s changed for security.