Booklet #2:
What happens in our women's group?

The women's group is very important to us because we are learning to read and write. But the women's group means a lot more to us than just learning to read and write. It is a place where we feel comfortable to talk about our experiences. A place where we can support each other, learn about other things, and have fun together.

These are some of the things we do:

• We read stories of women in literacy: Women who learned reading and writing skills. Women who experienced difficulties in life, who have been abused by their families or husbands. Women who have overcome their difficulties and are independent and happy.

• We share our own stories about: what happened to us when we were growing up; the experiences we had in school; how we came to Canada; what it was like when we first came here; what our job is like; how we came to the program and what we have learned.

• We write our stories and we read them to each other. This helps us learn how to write sentences and how to spell words. And it helps us learn to read.

• We discuss issues that affect us day to day: issues such as racism, sexual harassment, parenting, family responsibilities and unemployment.

• We share concerns and talk about what to do in different situations. For example, what to do when your 8-year old daughter refuses to ' talk to you? When your daughter-in-law eats your cooking and complains about the smell of your food? When your children grow older and you know they are about to leave home? When your . daughter is called a "slow learner" in school and you don't agree? When your sons follow your abusive husband and call you "stupid"?

• We visit other literacy programs and centres to learn about these groups. We watch videos together, and we invite guests to come and talk to us about different issues - stress, AIDS, immigration, parenting, tenants' rights, the school system and citizens' rights.

• We do different activities together. Sometimes we cook together. Each of us takes turns in bringing recipes for a main dish. We all bring the ingredients and we cook the meal together. At the end of the cooking we eat the meal and write the recipe.