As the International Year of Volunteers ends, we take time to reflect on the past and look forward to a future that includes a more literate society. Volunteering is a natural trait of many who call Saskatchewan home. Over the past two decades, many individuals have made a real impact on the lives of those who have literacy needs, by using the Each-One-Teach-One principle.

Laubach Literacy of Canada (LLC) was most active in Saskatchewan in the late 1980's and early 1990's. Ed Merkosky is known as the Godfather of Laubach adult literacy in Northwest Saskatchewan and was employed in North Battleford by the North West Regional College as the Literacy Coordinator assisting in the development of several LLC literacy councils. He had a great passion and commitment to increasing literacy awareness and skills for adults.

In 1989, a four-year literacy project was established by the North West Regional College based out of Meadow Lake. Rosemarie Metz and Dorothy Lockwood job shared this position for the first two years. During this time, there were twenty active student-tutor matches. Rosemarie remembers this time fondly; the group often got together for pot-luck suppers and celebrations. Rosemarie and Candy facilitated many basic literacy tutor workshops in Meadow Lake, Buffalo Narrows, Ile-A-La-Crosse, Beauval, Big River and Shellbrook.

In the early 1994, a Peer Youth Tutor club was established at the Carpenter High School in Meadow Lake. In 1995, Candy Roger, then president of Live to Read, secured funding for the writing and production of a play about literacy. Merrelda Fiddler, then a PYT member, now a journalist for CBC, wrote The Tiger Roars. The play focused on the needs and experiences of individuals with low literacy skills; the Carpenter High School Drama club performed the play.

The Live to Read Literacy Council of Meadow Lake has provided literacy services for the past decade. One dedicated tutor-student pair has been meeting and learning from each other for close to 10 years.

Unita Esau (centre) with two ESL students

The ABCD'S council formed in 1992. This council represents the communities of Big River, Canwood, Debden and Shellbrook. Thirty tutors received training, ten were matched with students, and seven were trained in ESL. Since 1992 Betty Gendron has assisted over 100 adults gain their GED 12, a requirement for them to maintain employment. Elna Fish from Shellbrook dedicated many hours tutoring an adult with learning disabilities; through her patience and commitment, this individual has enjoyed a fuller life.

Three new literacy councils have joined the Laubach family in the last two years. The Battlefords Literacy Council will be hosting an LWR Tutor Training in November, the first in the community for nearly a decade. The Makwa Sahgaiehcan Literacy Council and the Waterhen Lake Literacy Council are hosted by the K-12 First Nation schools in these communities.

In an effort to rebuild Laubach Literacy in Saskatchewan, we now have three Apprenticing Trainers; Marlynne Samson, a long time Live to Read council member and proponent of literacy activities, Unita Esau, who enjoys ESL tutoring and Deby Schamber, LLC Field Services Coordinator.

July 2001 saw the first provincial meeting in Saskatchewan for many years; a small but dedicated group of volunteers has made a commitment to build a stronger organization. Sandy Neufeld, Hilda Leduc and Betty Gendron are the executive for Saskatchewan. We are very proud that this region of the province has provided many strong voices for LLC's national Board of Directors, in the past and present. Unita Esau, LLC President, has dedicated many years to literacy both locally and nationally.

Congratulations to the many volunteers who support literacy in Saskatchewan. Your commitment strengthens the fabric of our communities and province!