This past week saw 805 women and men graduate from Invisible Children’s (IC) Functional Adult Literacy (FAL) program. The graduation came after members of IC’s Village Savings and Loan Associations successfully completed a one-year course on basic subjects of numeracy, reading and writing.

Due to insecurity from the past war in northern Uganda, many members of these groups had been unable to go to school when they were children. For some, even something as seemingly simple as signing their own name was an impossibility. Now as adults they are at last getting the opportunity to learn these valuable skills.

During the graduation ceremony in Atanga, ululations filled the air as the groups danced and sang while representatives for each group received certificates for their members. The certificates were an acknowledgment of the tireless efforts and hard work each one of them had put in during the course.

With self-esteem high, they presented dramas and songs with the theme of education, leaving smiles on the faces of the congregation present. It was a magnificent occasion that proved that it doesn’t matter where you are coming from but what truly matters is where you are heading.

-Germina