In the workplace, churches, even homes, there may be someone who cannot read or write.  According to a statistic in 2000 from the South Carolina Literacy Resource Center, approximately 10.43 percent (calculated as an average of SC counties) of SC residents 16 and over are not literate beyond a ninth grade level.

“The average person usually is not conscious of another person’s possible inability to read.  People who can read just don’t think about it,” Irene Murphy, North American Mission Board certified literacy associate, said.

As a literacy missions associate, Murphy conducts workshops that teach volunteers how to teach non-literate adults to read and write.  The workshop, also called ARW (Adult Reading and Writing), is 16 hours long and trains volunteers to be Adult Reading and Writing tutors.

“ARW workshops teach participants how to share the Gospel while teaching adults how to read and write English,” Steve Scudder, SCBC mobilization strategist, said.

Mary Foster, director of community missions at Hampton Heights Church, Taylors, operates the Friendship House.  As the community ministry center of Hampton Heights Church, the Friendship House offers classes for adults who cannot read or write.

“One girl we worked with ‘graduated’ the program,” Foster said.  “She came to us with a first grade reading level and left reading on a sixth grade level.  To her that was a big success.”  The Friendship House currently has two volunteer ARW tutors.

Murphy knows a man, once not literate, who stopped attending church because in Sunday School, each person read a Scripture verse aloud.  Jim Murphy, Irene’s husband and WMU associate, worked with this man two days a week for three years.  Since he can now read and write, the man returned to church and is a faithful member. 

There are a few indications, such as not wanting to read aloud, that help determine if someone is not literate.  Murphy said that one of the most common signs occurs when someone asks, “Could you tell me what this says?  I left my glasses at home.”  Another possible indication is if someone signs his or her name to a check, but ask for assistance to actually write the check. 

“There are people in our churches and people we pass on the streets everyday who either can’t read or write well,” Murphy said.  “My mission is to teach people how to help somebody learn to read and write.”

ARW training workshops are available through the South Carolina Baptist Convention.  For more information or to host an ARW workshop, contact the Missions Mobilization Group, SCBC, at (800) 723-7242, extension 5600 or email patbrinsfield@scbaptist.org.