Clane Moss never read a book until he was 22 years old. He hadn’t even read a comic.

Back in the 1960s and 70s, Clane was called a slow learner. He was placed in a work study class. He left school in 1974.

Ten years passed before Clane went back to school to study carpentry. Clane tried an adult basic education program twice but gave up each time. He felt he couldn’t cope.

Clane moved to British Columbia in the early 1980s to find work but soon returned to Gander. After returning home he went to work with the Gander Youth Centre as a building custodian. Within six months he became the program co-ordinator. He had to fill out forms for government grants, meetings and write letters. Clane was unable to do the paper work himself and had the young people at the centre do it for him. All Clane had to do was sign his name. He was embarrassed to tell the youths about his illiteracy, but they didn’t make fun of him when he told them.

In 1987 a Laubach Literacy Council opened in Gander and Clane was its first student. With the help of a tutor, Mary Turner, Clane began to learn. He completed all four levels of the program and graduated after two and a half years. Clane tried the ABE program again, but both efforts failed.

'Literacy gives you the freedom of choice. You can hold your head up high and never have to lie again.' - Clane Moss

Clane is now back with Laubach working on the Challenger Program, as well as spelling and phonics.

Clane has come a long way but he still needs his tutor. Today, Clane’s only fear is writing. “You can fake reading,” he says, “But as soon as you put a pen to paper and it all comes out jibber jabber, then you’re caught. A pen is a dead giveaway.”

Clane has done a lot of travelling to promote literacy. He learned how Laubach Canada operates and has attended conferences in Ottawa and Washington, D.C. He has also taken courses and workshops that have helped him understand the needs of adult learners.

Clane would like to continue his education and maybe study computerized drafting. He is also thinking about taking an engineering course.

His advice to learners is not to set goals that are too big. “Many short-term goals show results quicker than one long-term goal,” he says. “Surround yourself with supportive people and stay away from downers. People may tell you that you don’t need an education but that’s not true. How can you get a better job? How will you read to your grandchildren? Set your goals and take it slow and easy. Literacy gives you the freedom of choice,” Clane says. “You can hold your head up and never lie to anyone again.”

Clane was recently elected national student representative for Laubach Canada. He has also been appointed student representative for the Newfoundland Literacy Council.

What's News?

Roberts and Dicks back in Cabinet

Ed Roberts and Paul Dicks have returned to the provincial government’s Cabinet. Ed Roberts returned to his old job as Minister of Justice and Attorney General. Paul Dicks is the new Finance Minister.

Paul Dicks had been Speaker of the House. He replaces former Finance Minister Winston Baker, who retired from politics in July. Mr. Dicks is the member for the District of Humber West.

The new Speaker of the House is Lloyd Snow. He is the member for the District of Bellevue.

Hunt for oil continues

An oil discovery on the west coast is causing excitement in Newfoundland. Some experts say it could be bigger than the Hibernia oil field. Pan-Canadian Limited and Hunt Oil of Dallas, Texas are drilling a second oil hole on the Port au Port Peninsula. The hole will be drilled from the shore into the Gulf of St. Lawrence. It’s believed that the field may contain up to 200 million barrels of oil.