National Adult Literacy Database

January 10, 2005

The following story was written by Jenn, from Burlington, Ontario. She is a 20 year old single mother of a 2 year old little girl. Jenn is in school trying to finish her education, so that she can get a great job that she enjoys and so she can make a good living. Jenn wants to accomplish this on her own to break the cycle she's been stuck in. Being a single mom is very tough and she realized that when she became one, but that is no reason to give up on life. Her daughter is the reason she wants to be successful. Her daughter gives her the determination every time Jenn looks at her.

I need to succeed, I want to succeed

by Jenn

I am not a math whiz, but I would like to be one. I want to finish high school or receive my GED, so that I could find a job field I enjoy working in. I want to be able to provide a wonderful life for my daughter as well as myself. I am a single mother of one beautiful little girl who goes to daycare while I am attending school. She does get quite upset when I have to leave her there, but it is the only way I will be able to accomplish the things I need to get done.

If life could go on without having to go to school or work then I would spend every waking moment with my daughter but, unfortunately, it doesn't work that way. When my daughter is old enough to understand that I am only doing what is best for her, she will be grateful. I think that anyone who is strong enough to be a single parent, go to school and work with also having to maintain the house and provide your child with the TLC they deserve, should feel confident and impressed with themselves. This is the way life is, and there is no other way to live a proper life if you don't have any skills or education. You could sit back and say, "I don't want to work or go to school", but where will that take you? Nowhere!

The reason I want to succeed so much is because I want to provide my child with the best life I can give her. I also want to be the first person in my family that has finished their education. I want to be able to prove that I can do it just as much as anyone else can. I am tired of being told that I am wasting my time. I am tired of being told I will never accomplish what I have set out to do. I am me, and I will succeed in school and work. I will prove to the world that I can do it.

[ This story was taken with permission, from New Horizons, Fall 2004, Literacy Council of Burlington ]