National Adult Literacy Database

September 25, 2006

The following story was written by Joyce Tieku, from the Montreal area, Quebec. Joyce is enrolled in literacy classes at Place Cartier Adult Education Centre in Beaconsfield. She migrated to Canada about 12 years ago from Ghana. She has three children and wants to be able to read to them.

Story

by Joyce Tieku

I migrated to Canada twelve years ago from Ghana with my family. With the readiness to give them a better life I entered the labor force. After working in manufacturing industries for a many years, in January 2005 I became unemployed because of downsizing. This crisis in my life motivated me to return to school. Through my unemployment agent I received information about Place Cartier Adult Centre and registered without hesitation.

Since the age of sixteen I did not pursue any academic learning therefore coming to Place Cartier became a big challenge for me. During my first week at Place Cartier I was very scared being in a school environment but my eagerness to learn helped me overcome the fear I was having. I decided to work hard although it is difficult because I would like to be able to help my two young children with their homework. From the help I am receiving at Place Cartier I am improving my reading and writing skills daily and I am very comfortable with my learning activities. Learning is becoming easier for me because the things I learn can be related to my personal every day life. Presently I am very happy because now I am able to read small books with my children at home and help them learn while I am improving my English. I definitely would continue on my learning journey because I am already seeing the benefits for my family and I.

[This story was taken with permission, from a collection of stories submitted to The Centre for Literacy of Quebec, entitled : "2006 Recognition Awards for Adult Literacy".]