National Adult Literacy Database

January 30, 2012

This week, we have a story written by Hamid A., from Ottawa, Ontario. Hamid is enrolled in literacy classes at People, Words and Change  (PWC) in Ottawa.  This story is an excerpt from Hamid’s speech during the PWC 2011 Power of Words Breakfast.

My Success with People, Words & Change

by Hamid A.

I am glad that I am in a place where one of my challenges is someone’s concern. The staff and volunteers of People, Words & Change have been helping me with my literacy challenges since 2007. With my tutor’s help, I overcame obstacles such as learning the difference between words like accept and except, effect and affect. (Thank you, Wally.) In terms of computers, with help I overcame the obstacles of the virtual world.

Through tutoring sessions at PWC, I was able to apply for Leadership Ottawa, and I successfully graduated in 2009. I have also applied for many art grants through the Ottawa Art Fund Program and the Ontario Arts Council. Through the years of learning, I created a syllabus for an art workshop and successfully applied it in public and private schools and community centres. Now I am working on an application for getting into the Art Therapy program at Concordia University.

[This story was taken with permission from The Reader, June 2011, published by People, Words and Change.]