Literacy Highlights in 2011

Dear Readers,

2011 has certainly been an exciting year as we worked to advance literacy both here in the United States and around the world! As we count down the days to the New Year, we would like to highlight some of our favorite stories about how literacy has empowered adult learners and their families. Please join us every day over the next 13 days as we share a new story celebrating the power of literacy in transforming lives and communities during 2011!

Story # 1

This story comes from an adult learner who participated in a literacy class with our partner ALFALIT in El Savador. ProLiteracy has been working with Alfalit for more than 15 years supporting literacy programs to residents of urban and rural villages.

“My name is Rosa Rosenda Ventura. I am sixty-two years old. Almost all my life, I have sold fresh fish. I had often heard that there were programs that taught people how to read and write, but I had never been invited. When hurricane Ida hit El Salvador, my entire house filled up with water and the few belongings I had were ruined. I lost almost everything, so I had to use the little money I had from sales to buy materials to repair my house. I sought out people from ALFALIT to help me get a loan; they visited me where I usually sell fish and asked if I could read and write. I told them that I was old and had always sold fish and I did not need to learn how to read and write. They kept visiting me and several times, they told me that I should the literacy group. They said it was important that I learn to read and write because with any business transactions or legal documents I needed to know how to read before stamping a document with my finger print (as a signature). One day, I finally made myself go to the literacy group; I went reluctantly but after going for several days I started understanding how to write some of the letters, and I started to read. Today, I can read and write; I was able to pass the test to get my DUI (legal identification card) and did not have to use my thumb print—I wrote my name. I am happy and grateful that I was able to learn how to read and write. I still go to school every day.”