National Adult Literacy Database

April 30, 2001

This week, we are launching 4 stories written by learners from St. John's, Newfoundland. As a special event you can read their stories as well as hear them.

In May 1988, Rabbitown Learners Program opened its doors as an Adult Basic Literacy Program in response to the need for upgrading by a group of community residents. Since 1999, they are providing both Basic Literacy and Level 1 curriculum, which includes such areas as : Reading, Writing, Math, Science, Social Studies, Basic Computer Training and a wide range of Critical Skills. The uniqueness of their program is demonstrated through their interaction with other community agencies that they network with, thus providing an innovative and unique approach to literacy.

Terry Mercer started the Rabbittown Learners Program in January 2000. Terry has made excellent progress and will be attending the College of the North Atlantic in January 2001, where he will do level II and level III ABE and work to achieve his goal to be a carpenter.

 

Play an audio version of this story

The Story of My Life

by Terry Mercer

It's been along time since I've been in school. My father was always after me to go back. When he brought it up to me, I would try to avoid the question of school. I told him it was too late to go back. He said to me, what an attitude to have about something like that. I would say to him, to leave me alone, and I wouldn't want to talk about school anymore. I would have to go for a walk to clear my head before saying something that could end up in a argument.

As the days went by me, I did some thinking about my life, which I never did before. I said to myself, I gave up school when I was sixteen and now I am thirty-seven. It's been twenty-one years since I have been in school.

The next day I made a call to my M.H.A., to see if he or she, could help me with this problem. I ended up talking to a person who got right on the ball. I didn't think that I would have a chance to get in school, besides, who would take me in. There happened to be a place called the Rabbittown Learners Program. So I called this place and had a meeting to see if I qualified for this program.

I have been in the Rabbittown Learners Program for the past 11 months. I recently had an assessment done and in January 2001 I will be attending the College of the North Atlantic. I am very proud to be moving on. Thanks to my father for that extra push and believing in me. I now have a future and I know I can achieve my goal to becoming a carpenter.