Fourteen adult learners from the Gander area share their personal stories in the book From Me... To You.

The 92-page book is a collection of stories by adult learners. It was compiled and edited by Eileen Smith, Project Coordinator.

"The idea for this book was conceived as a way of involving Adult Learners in telling about their experiences and hardships during a time when most of their lives were in a state of turmoil," says Ms. Smith. "The stories tell of their struggles when they returned to school and how they felt when they finished.

The book is compiled in two sections. The first section features the students' personal stories, while the second part features stories gathered by the learners in their communities. Some learners also contributed recipes and poems.

"The learners were quite willing to get involved with the book," says Ms. Smith. "They wanted to tell their personal stories and were involved in the project from start to finish."

Ms. Smith conducted preliminary interviews with the students and recorded their stories. The students then interviewed people in their own communities and compiled the information.

They also assisted with the book's layout and design.

"I don't think it was difficult for them," she says. "I think they enjoyed working on the book. I edited the stories but I tried to keep the content as close as possible to what the learner wrote."

Ms. Smith says compiling the book "was a job, but it was one that I really enjoyed. You can't help but get involved when they're telling you their personal stories. I can certainly feel for them and I can put myself in their place very easily."

The book is available to public libraries and educational facilities.

For more information contact:
NLRDC, P.O. Box 306, Gander, NF, A1V 1W7 or call 709-256-8833

Petro-Canada recently "filled up" on Canada Post's Literacy Stamp in an effort to support literacy across Canada.

Petro-Canada's Contribution Manager Hazel Gillespie says, "literacy is a vital issue that affects all of us.

"Words give shape to our thoughts," she told The Notepad from her Calgary office. "The ability to communicate our thinking in both the spoken and written word is the key to our progress and development as a society."

The stamps were purchased in conjunction with ABC Canada's "Literacy is Everybody's Business Day," which was held October 21. Books of stamps were purchased and used in the company's mail rooms in Calgary and Toronto.

"It is encouraging to hear of Petro-Canada's involvement in the promotion of literacy," says Wayne Taylor, Executive Director of the Literacy Development Council. "As the Council is a non-profit charitable organization, we certainly appreciate their contribution."

The Literacy Stamp was issued as part of Canada Post's commitment to Literacy. Canada Post has also been a major sponsor of literacy. It established its Flight for Freedom Awards to honour those individuals who share the corporation's commitment to literacy. The Literacy Stamp, of which five cents of every sale goes to literacy, is the latest effort by Canada Post to raise literacy awareness across the country.

Like Canada Post, Petro-Canada is also a major supporter of literacy.

"As a longtime sponsor of the Peter Gzowski lnvitational Golf Tournaments, we are heartened by the efforts of literacy organizations across Canada who are working hard on this issue and we are happy to have the opportunity to play a role," says Ms. Gillespie.

Some of the stamps have been used to cover mailing costs associated with The Notepad. Stakeholders are encouraged to keep stamps on this issue's packaging envelope as a souvenir of this very worthwhile cause.