[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 76 (Tuesday, May 31, 2011)]
[House]
[Page H3763]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            ALFALIT: EMPOWERING INDIVIDUALS THROUGH LITERACY

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from 
Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) for 5 minutes.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to recognize an amazing 
organization headquartered in my south Florida district, Alfalit 
International.
  Alfalit is a faith-based nonprofit organization that provides 
education for the world's poorest people. Alfalit offers many 
programs--basic education, preschool, nutrition, microcredit, and 
community development--but its core mission is to eliminate the human 
suffering caused by illiteracy. Alfalit is active in 24 countries, in 
Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, and in Portugal. As you would see 
from these posters here, Mr. Speaker, these are the volunteers and the 
many participants in Alfalit literacy programs throughout the world.
  Since its founding in 1961, 7 million individuals have had their 
lives transformed by Alfalit because it also provides comprehensive 
health programs that focus on HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and 
cholera prevention. This year marks its 50th year of service to the 
world's most vulnerable population, 50 years of empowering individuals 
through literacy. It is an impressive achievement, and yet Alfalit 
knows that there is still much more to be done.
  Worldwide, 774 million adults lack the ability to read and write. 
Think of that staggering number--774 million adults. That is one in 
five adults throughout the world who are illiterate, with two-thirds of 
them being women. In addition, 75 million children have never had the 
opportunity to go to school, and many attend infrequently or they 
decide to drop out.
  As a former Florida certified teacher, I know the importance of a 
quality education. It is one of the best ways to ensure that a child 
will have a stable and productive future. Literacy helps bring 
communities together, and it helps prevent violence and poverty. Last 
year, Alfalit had over 120,000 students enrolled in its programs, 
students like the ones that we see here in these posters.
  Alfalit is always striving to reach more people, and that is why it 
has started an adult and youth education program in Liberia. They have 
opened facilities in 10 of Liberia's 15 counties, quite an impressive 
achievement. Liberia's President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, has become 
involved with Alfalit's program. Program participants in Liberia say 
that Alfalit has taken them from darkness to light. They say that 
before, they could not read a simple street sign or know what a danger 
sign meant. But now they truly see everything.
  The Women in Peace Building of Liberia have been active participants 
in the program that Alfalit offers them. It is a group of Christian 
women activists that formed during the Liberian civil war. They come 
together to pray and discuss issues of concern for their fellow 
Liberians. Alfalit has provided them with the know-how and with the 
confidence to continue their work.
  After 50 years of service and dedication, Alfalit has built a legacy 
that is truly impressive.
  Mr. Speaker, I commend Alfalit for all that it has done to fight 
illiteracy and ignorance throughout our world. Let's hear it for 
Alfalit and 50 years more of service.

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