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.

Derrick Tizzard started the Rabbittown Learners Program in August 1998. He is 44 years old, married with two grown children. He decided to come back to school after being out of school for many years. His main goal is to improve his education as well has his overall quality of life. So far he is making great strides towards his goal. Derrick is currently writing stories which he hopes to have published in the near future.

 

Play an audio version of this story

The Winter Snowflakes

by Derrick Tizzard

Dark clouds in the sky, so high above us.
Looking up, head tilted back, on a cool
winters day. Soon appearing through the
clouds a white substance like no other, slight
at first floating down like a feather from a
white snowbird. Before long the sky is
like a cloud of cotton candy, fluffy as a
power puff.

Closing down on earth, covering the roof
tops, flowing on the ground. In big white
snowflakes millions and millions of them
falling down on us, around us. Each snow
flake is different and unique in its own
pattern. Still with my head tilted slightly
twirling like a spin top trying to catch the
huge snowflake on the tip of my tongue.
Caught one, two, what happened, they
dissolved like cotton candy.

Fairy dust snowflakes, fell slightly over the
dirty snow. Stopped within an instant.
Dusk is setting in, soon it is night, the lights
come on, shining through the fresh sheet of
the fairy dust covering the ground. Sparkling
glittering just like a diamond. The wind began
to blow the snow up in the air, twisting and
turning it. High like the dust flakes that
fell to the earth, as is once more.