National Adult Literacy Database

May 20, 2002

The following story was written by Alice O'Dell, from West St. Modeste, Labrador. Alice has two daughters - Danielle and Chantelle, as well as seven brothers and sisters. Her family is very important to her. In her spare time, Alice likes to play the guitar. She also composes songs. At the moment, she works at the Youth Centre, organising activities.

Story

by Alice O'Dell

Hello, my name is Alice O'Dell. I live in West St. Modeste in the Labrador Straits which is in southern Labrador. I have two beautiful daughters Danielle and Chantelle and 7 brothers and sisters. My family is very important to me.

I like to play the guitar and write songs in my spare time. In Labrador many people make up songs about things that happen. These may be about shipwrecks, family, or things that happened in communities. One of my songs was printed in our local newspaper "Strait Talk".

A few years ago a learning centre opened in my community. I volunteered with Homework Haven because I wanted to help my kids with their homework. I also wanted to learn more ways to help my daughter with her reading. It was nice being able to talk to other parents there. Many times I was asked to play the guitar at events.

Right now I have a job at the youth centre. I organize activities with youth. We do career awareness, homework help and recreation.

It is nice to do things with young people to keep them off the streets.

I think learning happens everyday in our lives. In my new job I have to write reports, use the computer and make lots of phone calls. I still visit the learning centre when I need help with report writing, or computers. We all work together to make our community better.

[This story was taken with permission, from A Book of Changes, which was was intended for display at Literacy Action Day, October 25th, 2001. Learners' Advisory Network (LAN) members felt that true stories from learners would make literacy 'come alive' for the politicians who read them.]