Taking notes, understanding instructions, calculating income and expenditure: In many countries in sub-Saharan Africa, many people are unable to read, write, or perform simple arithmetic. Often the nearest school is just too far away, the school buildings are deteriorating and barely usable, there are not enough teachers, or it is simply too expensive for parents to send their children to school. Education as basic knowledge is so important to them: it opens up to them a way out of poverty into a better life.
One of the main focuses of Cotton made in Africa is therefore in this area: access to education should be easier or even made possible for children and adults alike. Smallholder cotton farmers learn why they prefer to cultivate their plants using sustainable methods and at the same time improve their own living conditions and those of their families in agricultural training courses and farmer business courses. “Literacy for adults helps farmers keep records of their agricultural activities and sell their cotton better,” explains Waita Simeyi. He is a cotton farmer and teacher of functional adult literacy (FAL) in Uganda and teaches other smallholder farmers how to read and write.
Waita thus contributes to sustainable development in his country. No progress without basic education. That is why it is so important that as many people as possible, especially in rural Africa, have the opportunity to learn. Basic schooling makes it easier for smallholder farmers to take full advantage of agricultural training and other support measures. “It helps them apply the training program for smallholder farmers, improve their agricultural skills, and increase yields through the use of efficient farming methods,” says Waita.
The result is obvious: higher yields, a better market position, and a better life for the entire family. Something that Waita was also able to experience firsthand: “My own crop yields have also increased. My livelihood has improved so much that I was able to build a house and send my two children to school.” Waita has recognized the advantages of being able to read and write and empower many other smallholder farmers and fellow human beings in Uganda while serving as a role model.