I went to the San Diego Council on Literacy yesterday because Marianne had to help them with their database. Marianne is the program coordinator for the Literacy Intervention Program. I'm going to be filling in for her until her replacement comes in November. As I was waiting, I read a book, a compilation of quotes from learners and tutors about their experiences. Each section addressed a different aspect of literacy. One section described how illiteracy affected people's health. A mother overmedicated her child because she couldn't read the prescription.
The book helped me realize how much of our daily activities involves reading. We read so much everyday.
In another section, the learners explained why they wanted to learn how to read. Most of the adults wanted to learn for their children. But, one learner said,
I am 72 years old. I want to read the Bible.
I paused after I read the line. I re-read it a few more times. I tried to understand the learner's heart, desire, passion and courage to do something challenging for God's sake. The line challenged me.
Sometimes I dream about starting a non-profit focused on literacy. I think it would be amazing to improve literacy through expression. The learners would learn to write and they would write about what they know best: themselves. They would write narratives or maybe just short sentences or letters about their experiences, dreams and hopes. I get giddy when I imagine reading everything.
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I like the following quote:
The important thing is this: To be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are for what we could become.
- Charles DuBois
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