National Adult Literacy Database

February 9, 2009

This week, we have a story written by Kathleen Letandre, from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Kathleen is enrolled in the literacy program at the Aboriginal Centre of Winnipeg. She is a single mother with two daughters.

Story

by Kathleen Letandre

Hi my name is Kathleen Letandre.

I am a single mother of two girls the ages are fifteen and three years. I was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba. My band is from Rainy River Ontario.

When I was a little girl, my mother raised myself along with my youngest brother as a single parent. She did a lot of partying so that is the way I grew up thinking that it was a good thing. When I was going threw school at the age of fourteen, I always thought that partying was a good thing. So by the time I got to grade ten that's when I dropped out thinking it was a great life.

When I was eighteen years of age I meet my ex-husband my oldest daughter's father. I started living life with him. It was not fun there was too much fighting and abuse. When I left him I was not thinking about school, I was to busy working those low rate jobs.

Then one day, my Dad kept pushing me over, and over to go back to school. It took me a while to think about it. Then back in Aug/06 I kept picking up the phone to the Aboriginal Centre to keep asking the time and date when you have to come and register. So they did mention to me finally was not going to get anywhere with the job. So I listened to my Dad's words and pushed myself out the door, went down to the Aboriginal Centre and did it. Sure I had to wait for a few days when I got the date and time to come in. I was a bit scared to do so, just told myself it's okay. So then I was told I was going to be in a literacy program or in an upgrading program. That was exciting to learn about the fact that I was going back to school.

So now that I started back in Sept/06, I was scared and lost. I did not know where to begin so we all started with games from the beginning just getting to know one another was fun. The literacy program sure has helped me understand how to write better and do better in math. Also threw the months I have noticed that coming to school I gained some friends inside and out. And the friends inside the Aboriginal Center are more for me then the ones out side. The friends outside is a bad influence in to many ways, alcohol and drugs. The friends in the Aboriginal Centre are more out going. They listen and understand where I am coming from. While I was attending the Aboriginal Literacy Program I learned more my background, my heritage and about were I am from. I've also notice that myself coming here that I have more self confedince. I know more in life now then I never new about before I find my self to be a more strong, more open minded, I try to help others who need help. I know that I cant always do so but the environment of helping others here has made me want to do so, as well.

Now that the year is almost over I am still attending the program of literacy and upgrading work. I'm doing this to better my self and also for the two girls in my life. And when I'm finally finish my programs to get a diploma then there could be a chance to stay in programs to really find out what I really want in life.

Yours truly

Kathy Letandre

[This story was taken with permission from the National Indigenous Literacy Association (NILA) website, under Testimonials.]