From Fear To Confidence: ALTA’s Readings Under The Trees Inspires Students
Hundreds of students from the Adult Literacy Tutors Association (ALTA) programme, their relatives, teachers, and sponsors gathered for the organisation’s annual Readings Under the Trees event on Saturday.
Those gathered at the Botanic Gardens listened to a few of their favourite authors and poets along with their fellow students, who shared their literary work.
Chief Executive Officer of the Adult Literacy Tutors Association, Arlene Wallace-Romero, said the event was one of celebration.
« »Readings Under the Trees started as a celebration of our 25th anniversary, and that celebration has continued, and we are actually coming into our 35th anniversary next year. So even though we’ve haven’t had ten events like this because we were interrupted during that period of the pandemic but next year we are looking forward to celebrating the 10th year after we started our first Readings Under the Trees. And who knows what else could come out of it? »
One of the authors who shared her work at the event, Breanne Mc Ivor, said she has been attending since the event’s inception in 2016.
« It is scary at first. It’s scary to come and admit, like, ‘hey, I can’t read.’ But once you start learning, all of these things start opening up to you. You get confidence, whether you are a parent — now you can help your kid with their schoolwork — or you can just have independence to maybe go to an appointment by yourself because you don’t need to wait and find somebody who can help you read. »
Charles Enoe, one of the ALTA students who shared his experience in ALTA, said he quit school at an early age, and that the ALTA programme has improved his life.
« I did ALTA for two years. This is my second year. It has benefited me quite a lot in the sense that it, in all areas built my confidence, you know. My public speaking, I couldn’t, you know, speak in front of a crowd, far less on camera. »
Meanwhile, 71-year-old Lowell Dopwell had some advice for anyone wanting to improve their reading and writing skills: « There is no shame in starting to learn at a late age or a tender age. Knowledge is there for each and everyone, just some start at an early age and some have to start at a late age. But it’s a wonderful thing when you start. »
The ALTA programme offers free adult literacy classes, both online and in person, to empower adults and teens to improve their literacy skills.
