Over the next few weeks The Adult Literacy Tutors Association will be featuring our students who submitted their written pieces to We Learn, an international online digital community that provides quality affordable education in developing countries.
All of Alta’s student submissions were successfully published and our volunteers, tutors, sponsors and staff are extremely proud of their accomplishment.
Our students are discovering, with the support and encouragement of tutors, that reading and writing are not just utilitarian in nature. Self-expression through the written word can also be a source of strength and fulfilment. Have a read of our fifth piece, “A Hunger for Education”, written by PJ
As I was reading the Guardian newspapers one day, I came across an article about Alta and what they were offering. The information got my attention, as I was never fortunate enough to write CXC and I always dreamt of writing it.
I found out that morning and evening classes were offered and at many different locations, so one can choose a time and place most convenient for them.
Most of their tutors were mature adults, which boosted my confidence. In addition to this very generous offer, Alta was not asking for a fee or any monies except for a pittance for our workbooks, which was more than reasonable and affordable when compared to all they were offering. At the next enrollment, I was signed up.
I think people who have acquired a proper education and/or a degree or more are more respected in society. It is not easy getting by in life without a good education, depending on one’s goals and aspirations. One can have some of the worst or best experiences depending on their educational background. I see Alta as a doorway to a better education.
I knew how to read and spell fairly well, which was derived from teaching myself. I learnt a bit from checking my children’s books when they came from school and from doing their homework with them. I also took the advice of a teacher many years ago who told me to never pass a word that I can’t pronounce, keep trying until I figure it out, then move on. I read everything I put my hands on and checked the dictionary, which I didn’t ever know how to use for a good chunk of my life.
I became more fluent in reading over the years and recognised words easily. As a result of that my spelling was reasonably good. Despite thinking that I knew how to read, I knew there was much more to learn, like pronunciation and the principles and rules of reading and spelling, which would make me even better at spelling and reading.
Sometimes my life feels incomplete, one reason is that I have not yet acquired a decent education. I would love to earn at least one degree. I wonder if I will be able to accomplish and get all the things I desire in life like getting remarried, having a closer relationship with God Almighty, travelling and of course a better education. After all, I’m already 44 years old. Due to my humility, determination and faith in God though, I think I’ll do just fine.
I’m glad I chose Alta because just as I thought, I have learnt so much from September 2018 to present, January 2019 and I know there is much more to learn. I chose Alta because they seem to understand the plight of the uneducated and the seriousness of illiteracy. I am gaining the confidence to overcome my fears and challenges. One day I know I will succeed.
If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a tutor, joining a class, or becoming a sponsor, call 624-2582 or email altapos.tt@gmail.com.
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