According to figures in the 2015 Human Development Report published by the United Nations Development Programme, between 2005 and 2013, only 36.8 % of Central Africans aged 15 and older could, “with understanding, both read and write a short simple statement on their everyday life.”

In order to contribute to reducing the illiteracy rate in the Central African Republic, Siloé School offers literacy and digitization classes. Those interested are required to pay CFAF 1,000 (about $1.7) a month during nine months. However, orphans and widows can take those classes free of charge. 42 people were able to conclude the training during the 2014-2015 school year.

The first testimonies are encouraging and have revealed that, thanks to those classes, many people could overcome some inferiority complex vis-à-vis those who could read and write before them. One of the reasons why some of them enrolled for those classes was the necessity to use a mobile phone by dialing the phone numbers of their interlocutors, thus gaining some level of independence.