Debora Awutcock had always wanted to go to school but, blind in one eye and lacking money, she never had the chance. After her husband abandoned her, leaving her to raise four children alone, she became depressed and unkempt and could often be seen begging.

In 2010 MBB initiated a literacy/numeracy class in Agangrial. Since that moment Debora has been the happiest of all women. She is punctual and attentive to the teachers. Every day she comes early to prepare the classroom. She has learned a few words in English, including how to greet others. More importantly, through classroom interactions Debora now understands—and truly believes--that she has innate dignity as a human being.

These days we all see a marked change. Debora is keeping herself clean and dressing better. Besides that, she has begun cooperating with the other women. Through the classes she has learned how to run a home business: she sells small fish from hut to hut. This generates enough income to send her children to school. Clearly, Debora feels better about herself, and that one fact changes everything. “Thank you, Mercy Beyond Borders,” says the project supervisor in Agangrial, “for being mercy for our women here.”

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