TS

In 2015, in a rural Zambian village called Twatasha, a group of women decided they wanted to take their education into their own hands.  Most of the women had left school between first and third grade due to a variety of cultural constraints.  "Shibukeni" means "to wake up" in the local language.  The women took action and asked that a shibukeni, or adult literacy group, be formed.  They sought out their local Peace Corps Volunteer, Maggie Eisenbeis, to teach and organize Shibukeni. The group began to meet twice a week and focused mainly on basic skills like learning the alphabet and writing their names.  At its peak, attendance was over 40 women and two men.  The women were committed, perseverant, and inspirational.  Some women would walk over an hour to attend Twatasha Shibukeni.  Their hard work paid off.  The majority learned to write their names and others learned enough to be able to help their children with their homework.  The women great take pride in what they have accomplished.  This pride and passion for education are just a few of the positive qualities that these women will pass on to generations to come.