Reading, it’s Life!

School days
Ellis Moore, Level 2
Curepe Holy Saviour Church

The reason why I did not learn to read is because I didn’t want to, I hated school! Mainly because of all the licks I got to learn my school work.

I recall one incident in first year. The teacher was teaching us about colours. She beat me because I coloured my shapes in more than one colour. I liked how it was looking! I loved drawing and colouring at a very young age. Instead of encouraging me for my artistic ability, she beat me!

In another incident in a different class, the teacher called me a dunce only because I got my work wrong. That had a serious effect on me all my life. I spent my entire school time playing the fool, not doing home work, telling my mother that the teacher didn’t give us any homework and would get myself into all sorts of trouble with all of my teachers.

When I finished secondary school I tried going to evening classes, but could not cope because of my reading problem. Starting a family at a very young age just after leaving school took up plenty of my time over the years.

After all those years of working, the main challenge was helping my children with their home work. A few years later I saw JW and Blaze on the television. They were speaking about the Alta classes provided for people with reading problems. When I saw that advertisement, a flame inside of me ignited! Saying to myself this is something I must do right away, I went down to the Tunapuna library and registered and now I am learning to read, thanks to Alta.

Putting it on paper
Chanka Siewnarine, Level 3 Montrose 
Government Primary, Chaguanas

I worked at a scrap yard in 2003, my work was scrapping engines for parts. Two years after, I was asked to price the parts.

One year later I become a salesman for used parts. I knew my work so well, but don’t know how to make a bill. I knew the price of the parts, but can’t put it on paper. I knew the prices of engines, transmissions, brainboxes, harnesses. 

Also body parts, park lights, headlights, fenders, and bumpers for B13 and B14, mechanical and body parts.

One day we worked late, the next day I went to work. No one came to work. Someone came to buy an engine and the salesman had to make a bill. I can’t make the bill, I knew price, but can’t spell.

Every morning I buy a newspaper to look through. One day I saw the Alta ad. It take me seven days to make the call but I did so. I am benefitting from Alta now.

• Reading, it’s Life is a weekly column by the Adult Literacy Tutors Association. It features the writing of students who are making the journey on the path to literacy. 

For information on becoming involved with Alta, visit their website www.alta-tt.org or call 624-ALTA (2582).