This article reports on a pilot research project conducted in nine countries of Africa and Asia on some aspects of the impact that teaching literacy to adults has had on the lives of some adult literacy facilitators (ALFs). The small-scale enquiry was implemented by a team of twelve researchers in nine countries (Afghanistan, Botswana, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Nepal, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia). All of the nineteen ALFs interviewed felt that the experience of teaching literacy to adults, even if for some of them it was brief and posed difficulties, had a positive impact on their lives, and in some cases was life-changing. Despite its limitations, the project demonstrates the importance and feasibility of such a study and encourages further surveys.