National Adult Literacy Database

August 19, 2002

The following story was written by a student from Fort Erie, Ontario. Fawzi Jasim is originally from Bahrain and came to Canada in May 1997. He came here hoping to further his education. He loves to volunteer in the community and has won awards for doing this. He feels helping others helps him to have a good life. He is also a very good chef and loves to cook for all of us here and for different multicultural events he attends. He appreciates this community and is committed to give back to the best of his ability. His goal for the future is to write a book for refugees and Multiculturalism and to use his talents to better the community.

Education is the Key for a Bright Future

by Fawzi Jasim

The country where I come from is much different than Canada. Where I come from, there is much political pressure, few human rights, and an oppressed lifetyle. Because of this, the availability to receive education is limited.

My country is far away and the culture and language are very different from Canada and the English language. The only way for me to get ahead in Ontario is to educate myself in the spoken language, which is English. At first this was very difficult for me. I couldn't learn for a long time. Now, learning is easier.

When I came to Canada I was depressed and shocked by the weather and culture. Many things happened which I didn't think were right. Soon I began thinking how I could adjust my thinking now that I was in Canada. "What can I do now in this new country?" I asked myself. I realized I needed more skills and more education. I needed to go to the right places and learn how to read and write. I wanted to be able to talk to other people in the English language. In my opinion there are no barriers to keep me from getting a good education and learning English as a second language.

I am optimistic that I will succeed in Canada. I am preparing myself, through education, to have a very bright and successful future.