National Adult Literacy Database

October 4, 2010

This week, we have a story written by Ayako Endo, from Lethbridge, Alberta. Ayako is originally from Japan, and she moved to Canada in 1975. She is enrolled in literacy tutoring at Lethbridge Public Library.

My story

by Ayako Endo

My grandpa was born in Japan in 1883. He immigrated to Brazil in 1931.

My father stayed in Japan. He stayed to look after our family and his aunt and uncle. I grew up in Japan.

My father died in 1983.

I came to Canada as a tourist in 1975. My friend introduced me to my future husband, who was a farmer in Taber, Alberta.

We got married in 1977 and had one son. We mostly spoke Japanese at home.

When my husband died of cancer, I moved to Lethbridge. After that, I started to study English. I am now reading, writing and studying every week with my tutor.

In 2007, I went to Brazil. I visited São Paulo. My trip was for a family reunion. I have 38 cousins in Brazil.

[This story was taken with permission, from English Express, February 2010, a newspaper for adult learners, produced by Alberta Advanced Education and Technology.]