"Each student is like a book, with so many stories lost in the pages between each cover but when they learn to read and write, they begin to tell their own story and unlock their possibilities," explained Alta's Regional Coordinator, Lystra Hazarie. If Lystra were to tell Alta's own story in her region, part of it will make mention of the relationship built serving Alta in Arima at the Arima Boys' Roman Catholic Primary School.
This week as Reading, It's Life continues to take a look at Alta's venues, we highlight a beacon in the eastern borough, Arima Boys' RC School which has generously granted Alta use of the school for the last 15 years.
Arima Boys' Roman Catholic
Primary School
Arima Boys' RC School located at the corner of Woodford and Sanchez Streets celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2011. Within those 125 years of service to its community and country the school has produced countless achievements in all fields of academics, music and especially sport. Alta began a fruitful relationship with Arima Boys' RC when former Principal Gabriel Cumbermack agreed to have evening classes in adult literacy in September 1999.
At the start of the academic year annually, Alta registers about 120 students for the venue, students choosing between attending classes from 5.30-7.30 pm on Mondays and Wednesdays, or 5-7 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays. There are 21 loyal volunteer tutors who have devoted their most welcomed service to adult literacy teaching at this venue. The school is one of a handful of venues, which has become an accessible location for students four days a week. In addition to the classes, there is also a Reading Circle on Mondays and Wednesdays where four reading guides support students via informal guided reading sessions.
The students at both the classes and Reading Circles are enthusiastic and engaged, thanks to the dedication of Lystra Hazarie and more recently Alta's Arima branch manager Carolyn Walker-Hepburn who serves as a coordinator and tutor at the venue. In Arima, these women are the go-to guides for new volunteers from the moment of training to the classroom, ensuring a relationship with one of Alta's landmark venues remains strong.
As Lystra expressed above, through venues such as Arima Boys' RC, Alta has given a chance to all students to regain the ground that they have lost. Lystra also noted that at Arima Boys' RC there has been an increasing number of male students coming to classes over the years, and they have become more interactive and interested in their literacy advancement. There has also been a relationship established with Arima Girls' RC as a result of the relationship with its 'brother school', so that it too now enables Alta to offer its Spelling Programme. Alta hopes this relationship will also continue to grow in years to come.
These happenings indicate that Arima Boys' RC continues to be one of the greatest supporters in Alta's effort to promote adult literacy in T&T, which has won the admiration of not only Alta, but the Arima community.
MORE INFO
Are you considering becoming a volunteer or are you interested in joining an Alta class? Alta invites you to our community Open Days in June. A schedule and details will be published. Call 624-2582/653-4656 to get more information. Volunteer, Donate, Sponsor a student. Like us on Facebook: Alta Trinidad.