National Adult Literacy Database

January 12, 1998

The story this week comes to us from Calgary, Alberta. The author, Colleen Wall, is a student in the Calgary Learning Centre's Partners For Learning Adult Program. She works for the Safeway chain of grocery stores, and also coaches figure skating and plays ice hockey as well as baseball.

Newfoundland

by Colleen Wall

Growing up in Newfoundland is challenging for everybody. It is difficult on the children and for their parents. Raising a child in this world today is hard at the best of times. There is high unemployment which affects the quality of the parenting.

Many people in Newfoundland have been employed with the fishery for a long time. Now things are changing because the fisheries are closing. This is creating a problem for many people. They have no skills for other employment opportunities. This is why the economy is depressed in Newfoundland. When an economy is depressed, it creates many other problems.

For example, social problems like serious crime and alcoholism. When teenagers are left to look for things to do it usually doesn't end up being something productive.

Newfoundland is not entirely depressed. For example, it is a very scenic place with the ocean and the different landscapes. Bull Island is beautiful because it is completely surrounded by the Ocean. It has spectacular sun rises and sun sets.

Additionally, the people are wonderful. Many people have visited Newfoundland and have commented that the people are friendly and generous. Newfoundland is a difficult place to live but also a place full of spirit and hope!

[This story was taken with permission, from the newsletter of the Alberta Association for Adult Literacy (AAAL), Literacy Action, October 1996.]