Yvonne...

When I first started to work in the motel, I was mixing chemicals together because I was told to. I didn’t read the labels because I couldn’t. It was a health and safety issue to do it this way or that. At work, I saw an ad on where to call if you need help to read. I took it off the wall and home with me to get in touch with a tutor. I kept it to myself because I wanted to see how it went before I said anything.

I had a fear that I wouldn’t be able to do it and that it would be a waste of time. It was great because I worked one-on-one. Working full-time, I didn’t have time to do a CASP class. I go to work and take my books with me and whenever I have spare time, I do math or science. I like to write about people, what I see in their eyes and on their faces. One of my writings, called Glass Houses was published in the student newspaper, The Learning Times. I’ve been working in literacy about ten years. I’m still working on Monday night with my tutor, towards my GED. It’s slow progress remembering everything.

Literacy has opened my eyes to a lot of things. I’m more aware of my work hours now. Before I would punch in, but didn’t know if I was getting paid the right pay. Now I know when I go to work. Doing an 8-hour day, I want to be equal and shouldn’t get paid less than somebody else. I don’t get all the dirty jobs. Before, I would take anything because I felt I have to have this job because I have no other choice. But I do have a choice. At work, some mention I’ve changed, that I don’t take ‘no’ for an answer and that if I want something, I go after it.

There’s more in life you put value on. The literacy council got me to do things to get more involved and that was a bonus. I did some public speaking workshops. It was a boost to my morale to learn more and to see what’s out there. I have better social skills, buying skills, listening skills. I take opinions better. Five years ago, I never thought I would ever sit on the provincial executive board as student representative, or be Vice President of Laubach Literacy Fredericton.

When the table turns, you look back and think, “Man, life could’ve been so much easier. I could have had a better life if I’d had the education to do things.”

Extracted from an interview with Yvonne Westall, Fredericton NB