We`re GoinG Places - Literacy Partners

Transcription

We’re Going Places
A Coll e c t i on of W r i t i ng B y Li t e racy Part ne rs St u de nts
We’re Going Places
A Collectio n o f Writing By Literac y Partners Students
W e d n e s d a y, J u n e 1 9 , 2 0 1 3
The students, teachers, and staff
wish to express their deep gratitude to the
many wonderful volunteer tutors.
Table of Contents
Adult Basic Education
Lanell Gardenhire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Anne Ashton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Adult Basic Education Tutorial Center
Sarajane Blair and Derrel Meade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Pre-GED
Sharon Griffiths . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Pre-GED
Jasmine Acosta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Pre-GED
Mary Ann Lasky . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Pre-GED Tutorial Center
Kenneth Fobi and Yinette Tejada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
GED Prep
Carla Jeanpierre . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56
GED Prep
Gerald Alexis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
ESOL
Victor Edrosolan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
ESOL
Eduardo Go . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
ESOL/Family Literacy
Roy Villanueva . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Class
Teacher
Lanell Gardenhire
The reason I want to learn to read and write
and get my GED is to become a citizen
of the United States. I want to read to my
grandchildren and start my own business as a
building manager.
—By Thomas Akonnor
I would like to get my GED and to do math
a lot better. I like to learn new things like the
world and reading and math. I will like to get
better with the division and the word problems.
I would also like to learn the computer.
—By Tamar Cruiz
I go to Literacy Partners to learn to read and
write English. I can read and write Spanish but
I need English because English is the language
of America.
I came to the United States at age 17. I don’t
have a good education. I come to Literacy
Partners and now I am reading better.
—By Beatrice Ofori
—By Agustin Baez
Mother’s day is a special day for me.
Mother’s day is a day for every lady.
My Mentor
If it weren’t for my mentor I wouldn’t know
about this school. He brought me to Literacy
Partners and signed me up. My mentor helps
me with reading but sometimes I get lazy. He
lets me know when I’m not focusing. He helps
me with grocery shopping and he calls me in
the morning to make sure I’m awake and ready
for school. I feel lucky to have my mentor.
—By Calvin Brister
I love my sweet mommy. She does
everything for me.
My mommy is the best mom.
I Pray to god to give her long life and
blessings.
I love my lovely family. I like my
school.
My teacher is the best.
—By Sire Berete
4
We’re Going Places: A Collection of Writing By Literacy Partners Students
I heard about Literacy Partners from a
newspaper. I come to Literacy Partners because
my goal is to learn English language. I come
from Africa. My country is Guinea Conakry.
I came to the United States to find a better
opportunity and I want to improve my
education. I want to read and write English
clearly and accurately. I want to have my GED
and continue to college. I want to accomplish
something in my lifetime and be able to help
someone in need. I want someone to know
that I have been in this world after I die.
—By Alpha Diallo
I was looking for a school or a program to get
my GED. Then I found Literacy Partners. It is a
good program and I know I can learn all I want.
Thanks to the program I’m sure I can get a good
job. Something that I learned from life is you
need a good education. People can get all they
want. You can learn to be your own boss and a
better person with the capacity to help people
who do not have the same opportunity. I want to
get all that this country gives me because I want
to use it in my country. I’m from the Dominican
Republic. I know that if I get a good education
I can change to teach all that I know from the
same way Literacy Partners does with me. The
perfect life is a complete education.
—By Lissania Diaz
I Am Happy that I Came
to School
I am happy I found a school to help me and
my family. Education is very important. I hope
that when I leave I will be 100% better than
when I came in. I hope that God blesses me to
be a better man in the future.
—By Basil Dixon
I’m coming to this program for my GED. I
started in April of 2012. I been learning some
things I still don’t understand it help me a
little but I try to work on the things I don’t
know. Mostly I really need help with the math.
I needed to get this GED before but I didn’t
I need it because I need a good job and it’s
important to have in life and I know things I
didn’t know before like my times tables and
subtraction so that why I need my GED.
—By Geraldine Dugue
I heard about Literacy Partners from a friend
and they told me to come to the school. Now
I am learning how to read better. I also want
to take the GED so that I can go to college to
study business and then I can own my own
business.
—By Shervah Ingram
5
My Baby Brother
My baby brother is a 4 Years Old boy named
Jayden. He’s fighting Cancer right now. He’s
my reason to Keep Moving Forward. And he
showed me that no matter what happens in
life you reach up and aim for the stars. He is
the Main Reason why I went back to school.
Everything I am doing is for him. And give
him a reason to Keep Moving Forward and
Keep On Fighting and not give up on Hope
and Faith. He saved my Life from the dark and
show me the light and now I get to show him
the same thing.
—By Margarita Espada
I like to come to Literacy Partners to learn to
read and write better. I want to help my family
and I like to read with my grandsons Brandon
and Luis.
I wanted to learn reading and math so that’s
why I came to Literacy Partners. I wanted to
learn more about math so I would have more
understanding about reading. I want to learn
and I was asked do I want to go back to school
to learn about getting my GED. I will be
happy if I get my GED.
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Right now.im going to an art school so I can
be a comic book artists / painter. I’m also
trying to get my GED so I can get a job.
—By Willie James
I come to Literacy Partners to learn to read and
work on my math skills. I also want to learn how
to use the computer. I hope to get a better job
and help more people through volunteer work.
—By Pamela Goodhope
My Goals
My goal is to learn as much as I can when it
comes to reading and writing. Someday I want to
go out there and fill out an application for a job.
—By Herman Rosado
—By Anselmo Figueroa
—By Bernard Gavins
I’m Willie James I was born on 1987. I grew
up in Jamaica Queens. I love drawing .
My Mother
My mother was a great mother and she loved
to help people. Everybody asked for her
advice. When she was very sick she was asking
God to help me raise my son. My son was
seven at the time. Everyone would visit her in
the hospital but she always asked for my son.
—By Marie Jean
The reason why I don’t have my High School
Diploma is because I dropped out of High
School in the 11th grade. I attended Grover
Cleveland High School in the year January
1968 then I dropped out in the year 1970.
So this is the reason why I am attending class
at Literacy Partners, Inc. I want to try and
freshen up my skills to achieve my GED. I also
want to move on to accomplish other goals.
—By Evelyn James
I came here to learn because I want to learn all
things in my life; and in life. I hope that I get my
G E D and go to college someday and become
a smart person. I am thankful because I come
to Literacy Partners. I hope that I learn a lot in
my life as I’m in school. Learning in my life now
makes me feel good about myself. I know that
learning is going to the top in all things in life.
—By Ricardo Lugo
Why Did I come to
Literacy Partners?
Cause I was spending alone all day in my room
doing nothing. I was alone and out of justice
and reading things that I couldn’t understand.
I think that in my program a student staff
called my attention to Literacy Partners.
—By Oscar Milligan
Dear Journal,
On Sunday it was mother’s day me and my
mom were going to the movies but my mom
was sick because she’s got a cold so I went by
myself to see iron man 3. The movie is the
third film where there is action there is a new
villain name the mandian who is the bad guy
and there is a new hero name iron patriot. Iron
man was going to beat the mandian but with
a help is his flying suits. And what happened
pepper was in a fight she kicks butt and tony
stark went back to normal. And I went home
to fill out a mother’s day letter to grandma she
liked it and it was the best mother’s day gift
ever. I tell my mom about the movie and it was
super and that’s why I celebrate mother’s day.
—By Brandon Miller
These are My Goals
I want to run my own business. I want to help
my daughter to learn new things. I want to get
my GED. I want to be able to study more.
—By Derrick Thompson
My Goals for School
My goals are to read and write better. I hope to
accomplish something in these classes. I want
to better myself. I met a lot of new people and
my teachers are nice.
—By Winfred Lane
7
My Goals for the Year
I want my health to get better because my
health is not good. I definitely need a job. I
need to improve my school work. I also want
to get my GED.
—By Alice MacElree
I’m Ricardo Mason. I’m from Costa Rica , I
been going to a lots up and down in my life
, bout always seems I was born I have a good
protection in my life and a lot blessing because
I m a person that think positive and try the
hardest to do my best.
I’m the younger of a 12 brothers. When I was
one years old my mother gave fourth of us
away because she could not take care of us to
a shelter. When my father fine out, he came a
rescue and take us to his house , were we learn
how to survive in life and learn how to take
care of or self. My father use to work a lot so
he was never home , my brother wish was 10
years old was like a mother and father for us
in such a young age, with no father or mother
around my brother show us good values in life,
how to be responsible , stay away from bad
stuffs that terms to expose when you young .
He is such inspiration because in moments
that was no food at home he always find a
way to make us happy and motivate us to be
strong and get food for us. We work all types
of different jobs, to keep the family flow and
no matter what is going on in life we have to
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dream big and enjoy life the fullers because
nobody bout us can make it happing .
To make this history short this is the reason why
I take English class to be better and get better
education for me and my family and go to the
university and get my degree! I know people my
say you can’t ! but I know I can because that’s
what I want. I want more for my self J. My
father used to tell us learn as much that you can
because you never know what you going to be
doing tomorrow and that all the materials stuffs
can take away from you but what you have learn
and the knowledge you have will stay always
with you. That is one of the best things God
gave us and with his help, we will be fine.
—By Ricardo Mason
I come here to learn how to better myself in
Math and Reading. I come here so that I can
move on in my own life with my two kids
Shawnasia and Nevaeh.
—By Alice Thomas
DEAR TEACHER,
I was not doing well in life coming here to get
my GED was the best decision I made to do
something for me for once. I learn A lot from
Ms Lanell Gardenhire and I hope that I can
complete this course. Thank you all that are
apart of having me here. God bless.
—By Michael Rock
The things that’s positive in my life is my
family who’s always been in my life and who’s
always going to be in my life is my family.
Family is important even our ups and down,
family is always with you.
Family never leaves you. Well some families
never leave you. Some family don’t care but my
family
We love each other no matter what even if we
have our ups and down. I have the best in the
world.
Family believes in you. I don’t about you but my
family believes in me like how I believe in them.
And how we believe in each other family
but you in the right direction if we did not
believe in each other nothing would have gone
good. Family is important I am glad I have a
wonderful family.
Lucky Me
Do you know why I’m so lucky? I’m so lucky
because I have special people in my life who
care about me and want me to succeed. When
I look at my daughter she makes me want to
work harder. There is nothing that I wouldn’t
do for her. My Mom knew that I had signed up
for school and she was so proud of me. But later
on she passed away. I tried to enroll my sister,
but she had passed away. Now I have to finish
school for my daughter, me, my Mom and my
sister. My Mom had eleven kids. I’m the fourth
oldest child. Sometimes I ask myself if my Mom
was ashamed of her kids. Every time I asked
myself that it always gave me the strength to do
better. I lost three people in four month who
were very important to me. That’s why I call
myself lucky because it did not break me.
—By Shaniqua Stewart
—By Melissia Robinson
Literacy Partners
I went back to school for my GED, to read
better and to understand what I read. All my
children are not babies anymore so I went
back to school. I would like a good job in
the Emergency Room in the hospital or I
would like a good job in the airport. I want
to be a good “Mom” to my children and
grandchildren and I like to read books to all
the children in the family!
—By Jean Stewart
When I came to the United States of America I
didn’t know how to speak English. When I got
pregnant with my first baby my husband has to
go with me to my doctor’s appointment because I
couldn’t speak or write in English. When my son
started Head Start I heard about LP English class.
I went there to talk with the teacher and I started
to go to the English class. From there to now
I started to learned how to write and speaked
English. I am continue to improve my English
now I can go every were by myself I am grateful
to LP program and the wonderful teachers I had.
—By Mariam Traore
9
What have I learn this year this in school is it
take time to get where you’re going because I
thought it was going to be one, two, three but
thing but it take time to do anything in life.
The good things about my life is right now is
my family because if it wasn’t for my mom I
wouldn’t be here today talking about this today
and think god for everyday just to see the next,
everyday is a new begin so life is a story and
the star of it what you make of it come from
you yourself so to me I just start it and I think
I have a long way to go so am keep pushing
myself for the best for me. Am thankful for
my family and friends they keep me thinking
positive even at the bad times because to me I
think life itself is a test and at the end you get
to see it for yourself and everybody mess up
you just have to learn from it. To me I think
everything come in two, like good, bad, day,
night, boys , girls rich, poor, peace , war all am
saying is be careful of what you do like they
say what monkey see is what monkey do all u
see around u can go just like that, how can u
play when u have nothing to play with it B.B.P
business be for play time.
Achieve My Reading
My goal is to improve my reading. I want to
excel in life. As soon as my reading gets better I
can do more with my singing.
—By Lenroy Stewart
I can improve my life by coming to school. I
am trying to get my G .E.D. I have wanted
this degree for a long time. This will help me
in my everyday living. I will be able to help
my grandchildren with their homework. I will
have a better understanding of the world. I
believe in myself, and others do to.
—By Bennie Walker
My daughter inspires me to go to school. I
would like to read to my grandchildren. I also
want to help myself. I feel good when I go to
school but I always wonder if I’m going to
make it. I put my trust in God.
—By Idarena Williams
—By Tayirou Toure
I want to read and write and better. When
I read and write and better I can read a
newspaper and a book.
—By Gail White
10
Class
Teacher
Anne Ashton
When you fail to do something once, you get
back up and try again. When you’re exhausted
and worn out, the first thought is to give up and
surrender, because you worry that your friends,
family will think less of you, and be disappointed
in you. Some of the world’s most famous singers,
athletes, and dancers don’t always succeed the first
time, but they get back up and try again.
When I was in high school, it wasn’t the
easiest time for me. Being a repeater in high
school for few years was depressing, sad, and
embarrassing. Often I would ask myself why
I should even continue to go to school. My
“friends” were always pressuring me and telling
me that I should drop out. The negativity hit
me and I almost actually picked up the pen
and signed myself out of school.
Then I started thinking to myself if I give up and
walk off, where will it get me in life. If I look
back on what the root of the problem was and
why it has taken me so long to graduate from
school, it would get me nowhere. The solution
to my problem was I had to cut the crap, and get
real with myself. I have never studied for exams,
quizzes, and never completed any homework.
A friend of mine had told me once that I have
to take my education more seriously because I
am soon approaching the age where I will be cut
off from high school and I will have to be on my
own. She said I would have to find a way to get
my diploma and that was a wakeup call for me. I
started to do my homework, participate in class,
study for my exams, and the most important
of all, the regent’s exam that determines if you
graduate. I worked hard to pass the regents,
passed English, Global and US History but failed
to pass math. I found out that I have gotten
all my credits but because of that one regents
exam I didn’t pass, I couldn’t get my high school
diploma. I got the IEP Special Ed Diploma that
ruined my chance to go to college.
I told myself I would not give up because
of this setback. I will go to G.E.D. school,
work hard, and earn my diploma, to show my
friends and family that I didn’t give up.
There is no reason why you cannot succeed.
When you fall of the wagon, you must get
back up and try again until you succeed. All
you need is courage, conviction, and faith in
yourself. Remember, no one controls you. You
are in control of your own destiny, so try just
one more time.
—By Iris Yip
11
Class
Adult Basic Education Tutorial Center
Coordinators
Sarajane Blair and Derrel Meade
My name is Carlos Caban and I am a student
at Literacy Partners. When I was younger,
school was hard for me because I didn’t know
how to read. My gym teacher was my favorite
because he always encouraged me. Still I was
motivated to go right after leg surgery.
Stay strong and never give up. Learning to read is
like learning to walk. You fall and you keep trying
until you get it. Christ gave me the patience to
fight cancer, learn to walk and learn to read.
I had cerebral palsy and couldn’t walk. The
surgery helped me to walk, but I had to miss a
lot of school. When I got back, I was behind. In
tenth grade, I dropped out because I got sick.
Literacy Partners has helped me so much. When
I go home after school, I can’t take that big
smile off my face. My brother always asks how
was school, and I say “beautiful.” Thank you.
After that, I was always asking people to help
me read the mail. I decided I needed help. My
social worker called Literacy Partners for me. I
thank Jesus Christ for His guidance.
At first, I was nervous and too scared. There
were so many young people. I didn’t know if I
wanted to go back to school, but I needed to
do it.
I was fighting cancer and I loved school very
much. My teachers were always looking out for
me. Now I can read how to take my medicine
and help my brothers to read theirs too. They
are older than me and so proud of what I have
accomplished.
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My hope and dream is to go to college, and to
be the first male in my family to go to college.
—By Carlos Caban
My Life
My name is Jean
and I’m so clean.
I like to go to the movies
and do different things
with Danishea and my man G!
I like to go out with my friend Sara.
Her laugh makes me feel good.
—By Jean Alcindor
About Me
I am from Jamaica, West Indies. I live in
Mount Vernon, New York. I do not have a pet.
I like to eat oxtail for a meal.
In my future, I would like to become a
carpenter subcontractor. My son’s birthday is
May 20, 2013, he kept it on May 19, 2013. I
went to his birthday party. I met my sisters and
my mother and daughter and granddaughter.
My friends like to go fishing in the summer.
Literacy Partners teachers are willing to teach
all the time I come to class. I want to learn to
read more frequency.
—By Bernard Pink
My Dream
I dreamed of a love impossible to be
true. I
wake up to find, God gave me you.
His blessing
gives me a reason for living, a new
look on life,
a dream that came true, his grace I
possess. Its
real, I touched it. So for years to
come I’ll be
I am proud of my daughter because she is
graduating high school. From high school she
will go to college to study dental assistance in
upstate NY. When she finishes college courses
she will be doing her internship hopefully in
NYC or close by home. She will be leaving for
school in September and return in time for the
holidays.
—By Patricia Cortes
About Me
I came to Literacy Partners for class. My name is
Terrance. I’m from Brooklyn. I don’t have at this
point, but I’m doing job searching online. I like
to go sightseeing, tour bus rides, cruising on the
Circle Line boat and sometimes go to visit the
Empire State Building. In the next five years I
would like to work at Barnes & Noble bookstore.
What are your hopes and dreams for the
future? Working for the travel agency such as
doing clerical work and also help people book
their trips and vacations.
If you could travel anywhere, where would
you go? A cruise to Great Britain on the
Queen Elizabeth for our honeymoon. Visit all
the London sightseeing.
—By Terrance Burks
true and thank my God for giving
me you.
—By Matthew Brown
13
Hi Season
The Most Interesting Person
That I Have Ever Met
We finally meet now that
The author of this writing piece is Pauline
Deane. I like to write about things in school
that I learn every day I go along in life. My
biggest desire is when I will accomplish my
goal and I will become a writer, a publisher, a
story teller and a books and magazines seller
and that my name will be established all
around the world. I want to be very famous in
everything I do. People can pay lots of money
to see my performance and the things I do in
life as I go along day to day. At the end of my
journey I can say, “Girl, Pauline, you came a
long way but you made it and your established
your name around the world and you became a
famous person.” Thanks to you all, Pauline.
we
Have met lets discuss
reason
Do you know for every
season
there is a reason. This is my
reason being here right
now
sharing being here
right now
sharing this with
everyone.
—By Dilcia Busano
—By Pauline Deane
Innocent
My nephew was innocent but they
took his life.
Stream of Consciousness
From the Tuesday Night
Beginning Reading Class
Boston runners were innocent but
they took there life.
On my way to class I saw a man.
People in the World Trade were
innocent but they got there lives
taken.
The guy jumped on a truck.
—By Marlene Nunes
And he was on my way to work.
I haven’t seen him for a long time.
My train ran late.
—By Giovanni Leslie, Evrol Roach,
Michael Stiff and Richard Toby
14
My name is Yvonne Hoyte. I would like to say
thank you for inviting me to the Gala. Now,
let’s start my story.
For years, I wanted to get my GED. But, I
never did. Now, I am in a race against time. I
have diabetes.
And you know what else? I might want to
write a book! I have many other stories to tell.
I end this by saying thank you all for the
donations from the bottom of my heart, and
may you all be blessed in your journey.
—By Yvonne Hoyte
A few years ago, my diabetes got so bad that I
had to have the toes on my left foot amputated.
I had to quit my job. Then, it got worse.
I had a stroke. I lost my sight in one eye. I
didn’t know how Iwould make it. I didn’t feel
like living any more. I thought it was definitely
too late for my GED.
Then, my friend saw a news story on TV
about a woman who was like me. She didn’t
want people to know that she didn’t have her
GED. But, she studied hard and got it. That
encouraged me that I could do it, too.
At first, I was nervous, but I had patient teachers
who encouraged me and I began thinking “I can
do this.” And the more I attended classes, the
more I wanted to learn. I started seeing things
about myself and the fears that I had of letting
people know about my challenges.
Then, I began thinking: “I’m getting my GED
and going to college.” My challenge now is with
my eyes. It’s hard, but I’m going to get my GED.
Now, I see a new journey that I’m beginning to
have, encouraging myself to get my GED and
then go to college to become a social worker
for diabetics. I am going to be a very good
social worker because I know what it is like to
have diabetes.
About Me
My name is Pamela Davis and I live in
the Bronx. I am a home health aid. I love
spending time with my family. I have one
daughter and seven brothers and sisters. I live
with my daughter.
—By Pamela Davis
Dream
My life
Is a dream
Sometimes I dream
That dreams
Are everything
Some dreams hold everything
In life
So
I dream.
—By Carl Paul
15
I thought everything was gravy,
Volcano
Is it love I am feeling for you girl
Until I fell out of
You are like the sunshine you are my
angel
Love with “my lady”
You are like flower the feeling
“my baby” but I wasn’t ready
Is getting stronger
The thought of all of that
Like a volcano building up love
Was heavy, she still insisted
You are my honeycomb
Yeah!
—By Marvin Phillip (DJ natural high)
She wanted a lot from me including
She begged later that night I went
Home with a mind that was empty,
Gone with the wind
Gone with the clouds is words if the
for if
Dreams dis life is a broken winged
bird
Thoughts that were unfriendly
although with
Her beauty, she’s tempting
The love she brings many,
I still showed signs that
A broken feather is a dream
sometimes
Were angry
Between hate and anger sometimes
Isn’t something that lies in
the dreams die Don’t let the doors
close
D, I just move on
in you I The pathway we’r the
survival.
“my zodiac sign” is loving
—By Rene Santiago
But anger
When times are too over bearing
And caring
That I am
Finally, I await the day where
I can say,
I washed “my hands”.
—By Darin Ricks
16
Happiness
The Best
I’m happy with what God has given
to me. I’m
I can be the best
happy with what little I have. I make
the best of
in every thing I do
it. I’m grateful for a second chance
in life
and what I do.
because of God. I’m happy. I’m very
happy.
by doing my best
and taking pride in who I am
My fate will see me through.
If I happen to fall short
Even when someone makes me
angry, I’m
of the goals I have set
happy.
will bring me above this test
—By Nadeeira Sookram
my strength and determination
so I can be the best
in everything I do
My family means everything to me. My
mother means everything to me because she
gave me life so for that I am thankful.
I am thankful for my kids Princess, Kemiha,
Takese and James. I love them. They mean
everything to me because they give me life.
About my family, we go out, we do fun things
together like going to the movies. Also, I have
three lovely sisters and two brothers who I love
very much.
—By Aleisha Williams
who I am
and what I do.
My fate will see me through.
—By Jackson Volmar AKA Soso
I like to go shopping for fun. My name
is Ann. I live in Freeport, L.I. My job is a
home attendant that is my job. I like Literacy
Partners because I can come and learn how to
read and write.
—By Celsia Hunter
17
Class
Pre-GED
Teacher
Sharon Griffiths
My Hardest Goodbye
My Hardest Goodbye
The hardest goodbye I ever had to say was to
my grandmother. She passed away in 2008
and I didn’t know when to expect it. But I did
handle it better than I thought. She was like my
everything because I would talk to her about
everything. Now I don’t have that connection
with no one else like I did her. Now every day
I am learning that she’s not here and accept it
and live life. I know that I will see her again
someday. And that she’s in a better place.
My hardest goodbye was when I knew that my
grandmother was in the ICU in the hospital. I
knew she was not going to make it, so I knew
I had to say goodbye sooner or later. So days
passed and things got worse for her. I really
didn’t want to see her in that predicament, so
I was away for a while – and in those couple
of days I was gone, I got the baddest news
ever (well, not ever, but at that moment). My
family arranged things for the funeral and
got things done. The moment I had to say
goodbye, it was real tough for me and my
family, but I had to say goodbye to Shirley
Quintero.
—By Tonya Barr
Love or Leave?
If I loved someone deeply, I wouldn’t leave my
family and friends. No, I wouldn’t move to a
distant country with a person that I am in love
with, because my family is my life. Friends are
good, but I can make more friends. If that person
loved me as much as I loved them, they wouldn’t
make me leave my family and friends. I would
hope that he could see how I feel and what that
would do to me in my life, if I went to a distant
country where I don’t speak the language.
—ByTiffany Colon
Tanya
In 1989, a girl by the name of Tanya broke my
heart. We went to West Side High. She broke
up with me because I was seeing too many
girls. I was very sad at the time. It took me
months to get over her, but I did.
—By Alex Ferguson
—By Paulette Williams
18
My Three Passions
myself
my kids
my mother
The reason I included myself was because I
love myself. I go to school. I’ve been providing
for and taking care of my kids on my own
since they were in the belly. My kids are my
little motivators and may passion because they
push me. They call me to see how is school,
did I go, what did I learn today? My mother
is my last passion because she has helped me
with my kids by watching them while I go to
school, caring for them like they are her own
when she has no obligation to.
—By Carol Cruz
New York City
I love New York City. It is a beautiful city. I
love when I wake up in the morning and I
hear the birds singing and when you look out
the window you see the sun shining. It makes
my day.
I hate when I come from work and the city is
packed with people in the street. And when
they see me they will not move because they
are shopping or just walking. And they are
drinking and smoking, that’s what makes me
upset. But people are going to be people.
—By Kathleen Fabian
3 Things to Live For
My kids
My money
Would I Travel to the Future?
If I know that I am going to die, yes I will take
the chance to see on the future, because when I
am no more I will not be able to know and see
things that are happening behind me. I will go
to places that I want to go, do things I want to
do, help people that I want to help. Build my
mother a house, open a school in my country
for people who need it and do a lot of things
for my brother and sister. Make a lot of friends
and have one or two children for my mother to
remember me.
—By Mawrlee Dennis
My food
My kids because sometimes I think that I
could have been a better father, so I find myself
doing things better than I have in the past. I
like saving money for a rainy day because I
don’t want to be without in the future and I
don’t want to ask people for anything. I love
my food. It is my only get-away in my mind.
I do things that I like to do, for example I had
a big family and I always cooked for them. I
miss it so much – when I get the chance I just
love to cook.
—By Gerald Farmer
19
My Family
Brooklyn
I really love my family so deeply that I have to
move to California for a couple of months to
spend time with them. I really miss them so
much, because we all got separated when we
were small. Thank God that by checking out
the computer, I found them. I got in touch
with them – a wrote them a letter and gave
them my phone number and address.
I was born in Brooklyn. People were always
all over the place. My family and I loved to
go to the park. My friends and I would be
everywhere together. I like being around
crowds of people because my house was always
crowded with friends coming over. But then
one day I wanted something different in my
life for myself. I wanted to go places and see
different things.
—By Carol Fasolino
—By Marguerite Hartman
Love/Hate New York
I hate and love where I live. I’m close by to
where I love going and shopping. But I hate
the noise of the main service road, Grand
Concourse. The lady who screams every night
at 2am. The busses that pass and I can feel
the floor shaking. Also I love the salon right
downstairs and that the trains are right at the
corner. Spanish and Mexican restaurants all
round. Almost everything is so close – that’s
what I love. I love that I live with my best friend
who I do everything with. I love that I live on
the first floor. I also have a very cool neighbor.
—ByAna Ferrer
New York City
Such a big, beautiful, ear-splitting city, packed
with unfair, dishonest, crooked, muddy people.
New York may be judged by others, but no one
will understand. I appreciate everything I have,
and am grateful for living.
Living in New York City, you can find places
that you never visited and make a change
doing so. Why is there illegal things going on?
Why do we have a black President? Why is
the crime rate going up? Why are black people
always being judged?
Born and raised in this dark, congested,
grubby, corrupted, deafening hood.
—By Denise Graves
20
A Lesson
Why Patricia Left Home
When I was going to grade school, I thought I
knew the answers to everything. But as I grew
older, I learned that life is a school itself. You keep
learning new and challenging things all the time.
But the main thing I was taught is that you are
never too smart to learn something new and you
are never too educated to keep on learning.
I think Patricia left home because she wasn’t
treated fairly and she didn’t like working at the
Taco Palace. Also, I don’t think she had any
friends to run with and talk to. It seems like
her parents didn’t have a care in the world, so
I just think she left to get a clear mind and see
who would actually notice she was gone.
—By Anthony Hamilton
—By Shantel Gilmore
Travel to the Future
My Grandfather
If I could travel into the future and stay for a
year I would do it, because it would be fun for
me in my opinion. Even if there was a 50%
chance I would die, because it would be a cool
experience and something no one else has done
before. But the bad thing about it would be
that I would already know what the future has,
so when I came back to the present I would
probably be bored here. Also most likely no one
would believe that I was in the future. In my
opinion, we kind of already live in the future.
The year 2004 was the year that my
grandfather died. He was sixty-eight years old.
He was the had of the family, always speaking
from his mind. He was born in Jamaica. He
grew up learning trades, fixing cars. He had to
take care of his mother, brothers, and sisters.
My grandfather had to learn how to be a
strong, independent survivor.
—By Joseph Jones
—By Anthony Hanton
Power
I never give myself power or control of my life,
and now I see that. So now, I’m trying to give
myself control and do more observation of me
and the things I do to better myself.
New York City
New York is the noisiest city in the world, and
also it is unclean. You can find a lot of rats in
New York. We have subways that run express in
the city. We have to most busy places like 42nd
and Grand Central. It is quick and speedy. In
New York, it is illegal to give money and have sex.
—By Emmanuel Joseph
—By Alberto Lopez
21
Central Park
Central Park is my favorite place in New York.
Central Park is a place I have spent lots of time
from my early childhood to now. As a child,
my uncle would take my sister and me to the
park new the bridge right off 59th Street. When
I got older, we ice-skated all winter. I became
pretty good, and even learned how to speedskate. When I got older in my teens, I wanted
to buy a bottle of wine and sit on a blanket
on the Great Lawn reading a book, just like
on television. I never did, because there is
no drinking in the park. At my age now, I sit
outside the Met museum and watch people
sail their boats. I also like to walk from the
East Side to the West Side. Each time I go to
Central Park I discover something new. Oh
yeah, and looking out on Central Park from up
high is one of the most beautiful sights in New
York. Looking out when it snows, it looks like
a winter wonderland, like a picture.
—By Carmen Murphy
My Hardest Goodbye
My hardest goodbye was when I decided to
move to the US, because I knew it would be a
long time to come back to see my family again,
especially my mother. When I decided to move
from Mexico my mother was heart-broken
when she was me boarding he place. Going
up the electric escalator, I turned back to say
good-bye and my mother asked me again,
“are you sure you want to go there?” I knew it
would be a good move because I was starting
to be a problem for my mother, bad friends
and bad influences.
—By Artutro Marcos
—By Janice Martien
3 Things I Live For
Big Girl School
I remember when I was an adolescent, and it
was time to go to big girl school. I was scared
because of changing classes and seeing different
teachers in each class. Not only that, but I had
to start making new friends and getting to know
the new rules and WOW, I wasn’t ready for any
of that. That taught me I was not a child any
more and that I had to learn how to be a young
22
lady. While the year went by, I began to feel
good and I started to fit in. But life taught me
another lesson in my big girl school. That lesson
life taught me is for another time…
The three things I would say that inspire
me to wake each day. The first is my family,
second is my education, and third is the hope
that one day I am going to win the Lotto.
For example, my family are the ones who are
supporting me through all the hard times I
am going through now.
—By Joseph Smith
Natasha
If I Could Travel to the Future
At one time or another, I’ve always had what’s
called crushes on certain women who I found
very attractive. In this case at one point I’ve
developed some feelings for someone by the
name of Natasha.
That will be a great time, or a lifetime adventure.
I have to go to a future land where there is
knowledge to educate humanity about loving
each other. How can someone push another
human being in front of a moving train? People
with plenty of food in the houses, which they can
not finish, but instead throw it in the garbage to
be wasted instead of giving it to other citizens,
who are moving on empty stomachs everyday.
She is Haitian, and was raised here in the city by
her uncle. Her parents dies when she was a child.
I’ve developed feelings for her the last few years
we’ve been friends. We’ve been out a few times,
and I’ve had some good time with her. I’ve told
her how I feel about her, but she rejected my
advances. The reason is because she was in some
relationships that have destroyed her self worth at
one point and she didn’t want to suffer again.
I’ve decided to stop trying, seeing that it’s
getting me nowhere near her. We talk on
the phone sometimes and always give each
other advice. Maybe someday my feelings for
Natasha will come true.
The knowledge I will gain is to teach and make
mankind understand what love is in the world.
No matter how we pray to the Lord it doesn’t
make sense if we still don’t love each other.
Even if my chances to come back are limited,
I will take every chance to educate people on
Earth so that the future world will be of no
races, no gender, but a world of equality, and
take each other as one.
—By Daniel Ndembera
—By Pablo Martinez
The Hardest Goodbye
NYC
New York City is my city. When I was younger, I
loved to see the city in the summer–the beaches,
the pools, the BBQs. Just laying in the sun and
feeling the heat on my skin was all so great.
The Bronx is the world to me, and it gets me
hot, and I hate it and love it at the same time.
—By Wilhem Rodriguez
The hardest good bye was when my mom died
in Columbia Presbyterian Hospital. When I
went to see her in the bed, she did not look
dead. I was talking to her and touching her,
and no response. I was going crazy when they
came and took her away. It was the hardest
goodbye.
—By Bertha Nesa
23
The Hardest Goodbye
The Hardest Goodbye
The hardest goodbye was saying goodbye to
my cousin who was murdered on Thanksgiving
Day. It was very emotional for me and my
family because he was the first and only
person in our family to be murdered. He was
a sweetheart, and to make it worse, he was
buried on my birthday. What got me though
was being around family and talking about the
great memories of him. It’s been some years
now and the pain of his loss has gotten better,
but I will never forget him.
The hardest goodbye I said was before I came
to the US. I didn’t want to say goodbye to my
mother and my father. I was thinking I could
go without saying anything to them – it would
be better for me. My mother cried and said to
me “be careful.” She was very sad. I couldn’t
look into her eyes when she was crying. I
couldn’t say anything except “don’t worry, I’m
going to be OK.”
—By Saeed Quhshi
—By Duneica Moses
In the City of New York
People move quickly
NYC
This city is very grim and gallant. Just getting
on the busses and trains is very difficult and
frightening. You can get robbed and hit,
and stepped all over if you don’t watch your
boundaries or utilize your manners by saying
“excuse me” or “watch out.” The beautiful part
about living in the city of New York is that
you have the opportunity to travel different
places and sight-see. Also learn your history
by knowing where to go and how to get there.
This city is wild and great to know. Try living
in it, it will drive you wild.
—By Charmaine Williams
to catch the train
People are unclean sometimes
People express themselves to each
other
People come from
different countries
People are busy at work
and at home
When people are in New York City
they are full on the train
Some people are unscrupulous
to others
—By Yesenia Rodriguez
24
When I was a little boy I didn’t know the
name that my parents called me. But when I
grew up I started to hear my name, George.
So I asked my father, “Daddy, where did you
get my name from?” He said, “Son, wait.”
And he called my mom, and they started
telling me the story. They said when they were
living in the castle with my grandfather, he
was having a friend named Mr. George. They
said Mr. George was a hard worker and a nice
person, so my grandfather told my parents to
name me George.
—By George Sekyere
POEM
Walking and talking
people screaming loudly
and it’s packed, there’s no way to pass
the noise is so scary
but is so much fun
The train passes though
and people speeding to get there fast.
Arguments on the way
about who’s first, and who pushed
me, and who did that?
People on the sidewalk
representing their teams with
Take Time
I can remember sitting on the bench with a
million thoughts racing through my head.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I
breathed in and exhaled out. I felt the hot sun
shine on me, the energy penetrating. My hands
got sweaty, my mind was slowly releasing it
many thoughts. I felt so rejuvenated because
the feeling was so intense.
It’s so important for a person to take time out for
themselves when things seem to be so shaky and
the world seems to be collapsing in front of them.
—By Lisette Pena
flags, shirts, hats, and shorts.
A lot of police surround
to protect the area.
Everyone having fun
All kinds of people and races.
At the end of the day, people leaving,
taking their cars out of the parking lots
and everyone calm and tired,
exhausted
and talking about the game
and who won.
This is a crazy place where people go
wild.
It’s very fun to be a Yankees fan.
—By Elisania Rodriguez
25
A Lesson
If I Could Travel Back in Time
When I was five years old, my teacher taught
me something important in school. Before,
I thought when people used to travel, they
walked from country to country. That was
something I didn’t know. Then one day in class
we did a history lesson. The teacher showed
us how large the world is, and she told us how
people used to travel before in the eaerly years,
and how people travel now. Then I realized
how people travel now, and I also know the
importance of public transportation.
During my adolescence, I learned the
importance of staying in school. I regret not
taking high school seriously. Now I am paying
for it. I thought that getting a GED was
easy, but I found out I was misinformed. If I
could go back in time, I would stay in school
and work with my teachers in passing tests. I
now learned my lesson and think I could be
a mentor to young adults. I would tell them
to stay in school. Don’t drop out. Without a
general education you don’t exist and cannot
compete in this tough job market.
—By Kamal Sourmaree
—By Robert Storey
139th and Lenox
139 and 140th and Lenox are the streets of
New York I was raised on. I love it because
a lot of greats came out of these blocks.
Rappers to street thugs. Rappers like Mase,
Camron, Max b, Big L. A lot of street thugs
have summer tournaments and raffles for the
kids. This is where I was born and raised at,
and everybody knows me there. The reason
why there are mixed feelings, meaning love
and hate, is being from here you are kind of
labeled, always messed with by cops. In the
way we grew up, it was like us or them, so we
saw a lot and lost a lot. Too many friends lost
to death or jail. Kids with good futures always
getting caught up.
th
—By Dwight Tucker
Lessons Learned
As a young man, I was always into something.
Sometimes good and not. I wanted to be in the
know all the time. I knew that if I wanted to get
ahead in this place called Earth I had to get a
job and save most of my income (which I never
could do). If I got a dollar it would be spent
before I knew what I meant to do with it. I kept
that up until I was way past a teenager.
I cam to know about saving my money. This
is the new Booker T., no more wish-wash
thinking. I now believe in myself to do what I
know will put me in a real good position where
I can put my thoughts to work -where I can
look back over all the things I thought were
right but turned out not.
—By Booker T. Wright
26
My Grandmother
Patricia’s Letter
I recall my grandmother saying to my brothers
and me that she will not always be around
to take us by the hand and do things that we
should be doing ourselves. She was teaching us
how to be responsible, go to school, and make
something of ourselves. Unfortunately, I didn’t
get to finish High School, so I decided to go
to Job Corp. The hardest time that I had to say
goodbye was when she became ill and could
no longer take on the responsibilities of being a
grandmother and a teacher. When I would go
to the hospital and visit her, I would sit with her
and imagine all the good things and good fun I
had with her. My grandmother was diabetic and
had Alzheimer’s. The doctors came together and
told my brothers and me that they wanted to
keep my grandmother in the hospital until they
found a placement for her in a nursing home.
So finally they found a place and she was sent
there, and there she stayed until she died.
I, Patricia Benavidez, am leaving home because
I can’t live with a father that hits me all the time.
He comes home from work at night angry and
hits me. I tell you, I can’t take it anymore. My
mother does nothing to stop him from hitting
me. I think she is afraid of him, or that she it
going to get it from him too. My brother couldn’t
take it, so he ran away. I was there to watch Dad
beat him (he thought that I was asleep, but I was
looking through the keyhole). And sometimes
he did it right in my face so we could all know
who was in charge. And Mom just watched and
did nothing – what kind of a mother is that, why
didn’t she help me, what’s wrong with her?
So f**k them, I hope to never see them again. I
think that I can have a better life in the streets
than with them. Thank you for making me
want to kill myself, Dad.
—By Omar Vargas
—By Carmen Torres
Would You Travel to the Future?
My Sister’s Apartment
Walking through a new apartment is exciting
and scary. It is the start of a new beginning. I
remember helping my sister move into her new
apartment. We went to pick out furniture for
the apartment. The apartment was big and had
a lot of detail. I was happy for my sister because
she finally got her own place.
I wouldn’t try it. I would like to see the future,
but I don’t want to know my future. Knowing
your own future can ruin everything. I would
like to travel to the past and stop future threats
like 9/11 or unexpected death, like Michael
Jackson’s. But knowing the knowledge of the
future can be a catastrophe.
—By Torian Brown
—By Nicolette Santos
27
My New York
My Harlem
I’m going to tell you how I feel about New
York all around. New York is dangerous, fun,
and scary. Dangerous because a lot of crazy
bad things happen everyday in New York.
Fun, because you have the bright lights, big
buildings, and a lot of clubs. Scary because
New York is wild and there are a lot of
heartless people you meet on the streets. So it
all depends on what you want to be around.
My quiet place I like to be is home. Then
nobody has to worry about the dangerous, fun,
scary life in NYC.
My Harlem, I once loved you for the
one-color ocean you once was –
—By Aaron Ward
What Do I Like About the City?
I like the Bronx because of the bright lights, the
music is loud, the crazy people. New York never
sleeps. The city is full of happiness and danger.
the police are always around when people need
them. 42nd Street needs to go back the way it
was back in the 70s. Freak shows, peep shows,
hookers in the streets of Manhattan. I wish
it would go back to the 80s. Everybody was
friendly and kind. Transportation was cheap
back then. I wouldn’t was to leave the city for
noting in the world.
Now I’m luvin’ the mixture of ponds,
lakes, rivers, and oceans you’re
embracing.
My Harlem, I love your night life,
the rush, the love, hopefulness,
memories, history, reminiscences.
My Harlem, I’ve accepted the
wages of the lows, in-betweens,
uncertainties, tragedies, the foes,
frenemies, haters – the fugly with the
beauty, the bad with the good.
But what I love most about you, my
Harlem, is how you’ve been there
with me thru it all – the negative to
the positive and it’s all good.
And now watching me grow up and
get my life together, 2 get my L.I.F.E!!!
I love you, I love you, I love you
I do, my Harlem.
—By Dorian Woodley
—By Yvonne Tillman
28
Class
Pre-GED
Teacher
Jasmine Acosta
Who Can I Be
People need not waste me.
Who can I be?
Who is she?
Or perhaps who is he?
Who or what can I be?
Could I be a tree, as in the last tree,
to save a man,
Falling down on the world-hunger,
like a building now it›s deceased.
Now I ask as I pass you by, Who can
I be?
I am as alive as the man on a life
support machine on its last beep.
Now i›m sleep. And live no more, so
I wait patiently,
and help him breath.
for the angles who took my mother
away from me to be free.
Bare naked, disrespected, and
stripped of its leaves.
But as I wait i›m taken for granted.
Could it be? Hmmmm
Or can I be a breeze?
Let me see.
That blows in different degrees...
Could it be that I am an entity that
lasts forever- Firmly planted.
Gathering up pollen that has traveled
from Holland
choking the violence from the bees.
Bringing bickering among them to a
halt over the
male bee,- bringing peace.
I will be around forever, authorized
by God.
I am Time dammit!!!
That›s exactly who I be. I am no
longer a mystery.
—By Jerry Petrus
29
Class
Pre-GED
Teacher
Mary Ann Lasky
Hair
Hair comes in all types of textures from
straight to extremely curly. Long, short, thin,
and thick, you can never go wrong. Hair along
with many things plays a big part in everything
in life. Humans have hair, animals have hair,
and even some foods and plants.
I look at hair like I look at skin, it’s like a
defense mechanism that we use to protect
ourselves. Skin keeps our body covered and
protected, hair keeps us covered and protected
as well, and just like skin, it’s always growing
or developing.
I love hair. I love to color hair, braid hair, try
different hairstyles with hair and, especially
with my hair, I love to cut it because I know
it’s always going to grow back.
I am black and Puerto Rican and my hair is a mix
between straight and curly with baby hairs that
love to be nappy and, if left alone, will remain
nappy. I always used to wonder why a lot of black
people had to use grease for their hair but just
recently, I came to the realization that it’s because
of the oils in the grease. The oils in the grease
are some of the many natural resources we had
and used way before any type of chemicals were
created and then it was manipulated into our
mind by the media to use it on ourselves. Grease
is very healthy for the hair and the oils seep into
your scalp which rebuilds and protects it.
Chemicals and hair are dangerous and can be
life threatening. A lot of men, and especially
women, aren’t really aware of how dangerous
because they’re so focused on changing their
hair color, trying to grow hair in bald spots
and, worst of all, applying perms to either
straighten or make their hair curly.
Every perm contains highly concentrated
chemicals that can cause brain damage, tumors,
and cancer, so you have to be mindful of how
much you apply, how long you have it in, and
the type of hair you have or are dealing with.
Everything in life has ups and downs so never
forget the same thing goes for your hair.
—By Katrina Flowers
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How to Make Our
Neighborhoods More Safe
I live in a neighborhood where many people
at night stay late hanging out on the street. I
suggest that the police department should hire
more police officers to walk around at all times.
Police have to be conscious of what can be done
to teach people on the street good manners.
Teachers, parents, police should have some time
meeting to work together and come with ideas
how to improve the community. There should be
undercover police working in the neighborhood
to report any wrongdoing that the police are
doing to the young people. These are my
suggestions to improve my neighborhood.
—By Raul Echevarria
Someone I Respect
The person who I respect the most is Ms.
Emma. I respect Ms. Emma because she’s
outgoing, has a good sense of humor, very
outspoken. She doesn’t allow people to get in
her way. She’s also a woman of details. She’s a
proud black woman, stands tall and firm, keeps
her head up because she doesn’t seem to forget
her heritage and where she came from. She has a
swagger when she walks and a beautiful tone in
her voice. Very seldom does she get upset unless
somebody is trying to step on her toes. She’s the
person who I respect because she is herself. And
she’s waiting for all of us to get our GED so that
we can all move on with our lives like her.
—By Angela Jones
Faith Will Guide You
Whenever you go somewhere or have a dream
to get somewhere, always have faith. That is my
motto. Have you ever thought about that? Think
about it. It will have a great impact on your life.
When you are in the worst situation, have belief it
will be better, and it will be. It will help you in life.
I know of a situation where there was a couple
who were married for 15 years and did not
have children. One day they already gave up,
everybody said there is no hope. The next day,
a good friend came over and tried to encourage
them. He told them about a rabbi who does
wonders for people. People have impossible
situations and are hopeless. They go to him
and he solves everything. When they heard
that, it gave them a new hope.
They decided to go to the rabbi. The rabbi told
them to go home and everything will be ok.
They went home and had complete faith that
what the rabbi said will come true. “Everything
will be all right.” After two months, she became
pregnant, and after about a year, she had a
beautiful baby boy. The doctors said it was a
medical miracle. They were so happy, they went
right away to that rabbi to thank him. The rabbi
said, “Don’t thank me, thank G-d.”
Sometimes it is very hard to have faith because
the situation you’re in might look hopeless,
but I am telling you have hope and it will be
better. Faith is believing with all your might
that everything will be better, even if it doesn’t
seem like it. So have faith and it will help you.
—By Chaya Keret
31
Summary of the Article,
“An E.V. that wraps around
a wheelchair.”
Stacey Zoern is from Texas. She is a lawyer who
is 33 years old. Ms. Zoern has a condition.
She can’t walk and had a custom van that was
destroyed in a crash. Feeling frustrated and
stagnant, she decided to build a business for
many others and herself in the same situation.
Being a lawyer, not a businesswoman, Ms.
Zoern got help. Ms. Zoern started browsing
the internet for “wheelchair-accessible
transportation” and found a company called
Kenguru in Budapest. Since browsing the
internet, Ms. Zoern received so much support
that she was able to start her own business.
—By Nikki McCoy
Someone I Like
The person I like is my grandmother. She is
loving and caring. She dresses nice, is very
outspoken, always willing to help people.
She goes to church. She also raised me from
when I was a little girl. She can cook her
butt off. She is like a mother to me instead
of a grandmother. She always gives me sound
advice whether I like it or not. She raised most
of her grandkids. She accomplished school,
college, and now she is an RN. Like I said, she
loves people and she always call me her baby. I
like it sometimes, then I don’t because I’m too
grown. I love to go to her house on Sundays.
After church, we all have Sunday dinner. My
32
grandmother is always there for me. I love my
grandmother. She means a lot to me.
—By Satina McGee
How to Make
Our Neighborhood Safe
First thing I would do is form a committee and
ask every person to write an essay about the kind
of problems they have in their neighborhood.
Reading each person’s essay, the committee would
have plenty of information on how to select and
plan how to go about keeping the neighborhood
safe. The youths should be the first ones to bring
their essays. Why, because they have firsthand
knowledge of all the neighborhood’s problems.
They have firsthand knowledge of the police
stop and search. The youths need to be hopeful,
looking for a better future, not to be targeted
and thrown into prison, and have hopelessness
take over their precious future. Therefore, the
government should listen to what the youths are
saying. They are the future presidents, mayors,
judges, senators, lawyers, and teachers, so please
listen to them now.
—By Daisy Taylor
Someone I Respect
The person I started respecting is myself. I have
grown to be a self-respected, mature person.
Over the years, I have been going through a lot
of difficulties with life: negativity, selfishness,
cruelty, immaturity, and laziness.
I never knew how much these feelings had
brought me down, gotten me into trouble,
created stress and made me frustrated. I held so
many miseries all these years, and now I have
changed my ways. I am a person who has a great
sense of humor, out-going personality, love to
dance, DJ, work, go to church, school and hang
with close friends. When I DJ in my free time, I
begin to dance to any type of music.
Since I was a child, I always love listening
to music and collecting records. As a record
collector, I have 33 1/3’s, 45’s and 78’s. Music
back then, had stories to tell. Half of the people
I met told me that music back then was boring
and puts them to sleep. The other half is amazed
and shocked to see my collections. I tell them
it’s a great way to have an imagination and think
about what was going on. That is when we were
starting to make things possible and fight for
what we want for our future.
After the years passed by, I lost great people in
my life that didn’t deserve to suffer, but I had to
move on. I still have them in my heart. In my
teen years, I started hanging out with the wrong
crew that had nothing to offer me just trouble.
When I met my ex-partner in my mid 20’s, I
left my parent’s house. My relationship with
him was outrageous. I almost went to jail and
go thrown out of our own apartment. When I
had my own place again, this time I was alone.
I was not thinking about my education. My
so-called friends were nothing but trouble, noneducated, and not working. They just smoke
pot, drank, partied and sometimes looked for
trouble. I had nothing but negativity in my life.
When I lost my job, I realized that I needed
and education to move forward. When I called
Literacy Partners, I waited for a response until
they told me to come in and take a valuation
test. When I had the results, I started class
right away. I was frightened, but I closed
my eyes and began to dance to a smooth
tune. With tears streaming down my face,
my heart said ENOUGH! I started going
to church and prayed for a great change. I
took a deep breath and wept to God. Little
by little, everything began to change for me.
In the summer of June 2012, I met Martha
Wash from the Weather Girls. Very sweet
and very protected from her security guards
(beautiful singer) and Louise Robey from the
series “Friday the 13th” as Micki Foster. I got
on stage to perform a voguing dance. I didn’t
know what I was doing, but I had a lot of
great feedbacks. It was beautiful to hang with
great talented friends. One day in the fall of
2012, my teacher called me aside and showed
me something unexpected. She opened the
school’s newspaper and what I saw. I saw a
person that did something great for himself. I
was very thrilled to see myself.
In the beginning of November, I found a
part-time job at a music store. Last New Year’s
Eve, I was with close friends. I didn’t stay late
because I had to work in the afternoon. Now
I’m still here and ready for a challenge.
Thanks to Steven Clarke, Gloria Fisher, Emma
Davis, Sara Bloom, Pam O., Walter O., Lora
Rosado and all the staff in Literacy Partners.
—By Ismael Negrillo
33
Hair
The prank of all pranks. It was the summer
of June 2002. I was going to the barbershop.
When I get there, I say Hello to everyone and
wait for my barber to show. When he showed,
I sat in the chair and we began to talk. I
recall telling him how my brother and cousin
pranked me and asked him how can I get back
at them. The day before that, they pranked me
by cutting all my hair off while I was sleeping.
A couple of minutes go by and he helps me with
a plan to prank my brother and cousin. It was to
invite them to my house telling them I’m having
a sleepover. But actually, it was to prank them.
Later that day, I got shaving cream. I put
some on the eyebrows of my brother and
cousin. Then I shaved off their eyebrows. The
next morning, they woke up complaining of
a draft, not knowing of what happened to
them. When they noticed, we all laughed and
decided not to do this again.
—By Joshua Ramos
A Place I’ll Never Forget
A place I’ll never forget is Colombia. I
went with my mother and two brothers to
Colombia for my brother’s wedding. His wife
is Colombian. It was a different atmosphere,
rough roads, stray dogs walking down the
street. If you visited the beach, females would
come up to you and ask if you want sun block
rubbed on you and wash sand off your feet.
That’s how they made money.
34
The hospital in Colombia is much different
from the U.S. People were lined up outside with
severe injuries with their heads wrapped up like
a mummy, blood coming through the gauze. It
made me think of the things we take for granted,
subways, busses, taxis, even shoes. People were
walking down the street with no shoes.
One of the hotels was run down so bad that we
went to a more upscale one that had a pool, a
nice view, and room service. The last hotel was
not up to par with my mother’s standards. My
mother is a clean freak. Every trip, my mother
brings this machine that shows you where dirt is
even if it’s wiped clean. She also does not use the
bed sheets, or towels, or rugs. She goes to the
store and buys her own. But in Colombia, they
know when you’re not from there even if you
speak Spanish. Once you ask for directions, they
know, and when you go to the bank or ATM,
there will be a soldier in the street with an M16
machine gun that escorts you to get your money
so no one will rob you. There are also a lot of
car accidents in Colombia. The roads have holes
big enough to stand in.
The food was good and they also have good
coffee because they grow coffee beans there.
For the most part, the wedding was nice. My
brother got married in a big house right next
to a cliff. When you look down, you see water.
I also saw a lot of snakes, spiders, scorpions,
and the kids that live there could swim better
than the adults. I would never forget trying to
swim to the buoy.
—By Paris Williams
Class
Pre-GED Tutorial Center
Coordinators
Kenneth Fobi and Yinette Tejada
Life is Candy
Hindsight
I think life is a candy because there are ways to
make it better. We always try different ways to
make everything nice and smooth. Even though
we have too many challenges in life, there are
many reasons to think positive all the time.
There are also very important and special people
to inspire you. Even though some people don’t
know that they inspire you to do things in life.
The first thing I wish I would have known
growing up would be how to take your time and
enjoy your childhood. The older you become
the more responsibilities you have. I wish I
would have known to pay attention in class,
focus on my studies, work hard in every aspect
to become who I now want to be; which is a
lawyer. Sometimes our circumstances intervene
and stop us from seeing the bigger picture in life.
If I would have known, or was told as a youth, I
probably would be where I want to be now.
—By Martin Balbuena
What is life?
Life is like a book
Everyone has their own story to tell
Life can make you feel trapped and
tied down
Things you want to achieve can feel
like a long line
Years keep going as life keeps
growing
No one knows where the finish line is.
—By Melissa Caraballo
People have this thing; they wish themselves to
revisit their past. Tweak a few things, change a
few mistakes they have made (myself included).
Another thing: I wish I would have known as
a youth would have been how precious life is.
How every moment you spend existing in the
universe counts, every moment that passes. All
the holidays you share can become a distant
memory in the blink of an eye.
Knowing is to have understanding of something
or someone. We are born in the universe as
children, and become knowledgeable as we grow.
This is something I wish I would have known.
—By Keith Brown
35
She said, “What happened?”
Fable
One day there was a frog who lived in the
forest. He was always very lonely because he
did not feel like he fit in with anyone. He tried
so hard to make friends but no one gave him a
chance because he was not able to do most of
the things the other animals in the forest could
do. But one day there was a lonely girl walking
in the forest, and she bumped into a frog. The
frog said,” I have never seen you come through
here.”
She said, “Yes, I have been here many times
but no one ever notices me.”
He said, “I noticed you.”
She said, “I see you did.”
He replied, “Don’t feel bad. No one notices me
either.”
She told him how she became the lonely girl:
“I was once married to a prince but one day
he decided he wanted to have someone else
become his princess. So I had to move out
of the prince’s castle and ever since then no
one notices me. No one treats me like I’m an
important person anymore.”
The frog told her, “Well, I know how you feel.
I used to be a prince.”
She started laughing. She said, “How is that?”
He said, “I was a real prince and I lived in a
castle at one time.”
36
He said, “Well I had this young lady named
Jasmin that I really loved a lot but there came
along another young lady named Daisy who
I really liked. So I chose to be with Daisy
and let go of Jasmin who really cared for me.
And one day I realized I had made the wrong
choice. When I explained to Jasmin that I still
loved Daisy she was upset. She said, “fine”,
but before she left she said “you will remember
me”. So one day Jasmin came back and said
“let’s fix things”. But I said no. But then I saw
there was a cup with my favorite drink that she
would normally make for me. So I drank it.
The next day I woke up as a frog and everyone
around the castle was asking “where is the
prince?” But I could not reply letting them
know I was now a frog and ever since I have
lived in the forest and no one notices me.
Daisy said, “Wow, did you live in that big
white castle?”
The prince said, “Yes, why do you ask?”
She said, “That girl you speak about, do you
not recognize me? I’m Daisy! But ever since
you left me I was never noticed, not even by
you. So now I call myself the lonely girl but,
guess what? I’m still willing to notice you and
be your friend.”
—By Cecilia Arroyo
Life is a Journey, this is my take:
At times in many of our lives, we have taken
wrong turns which have caused setbacks in our
lives. These setbacks make us who we are today.
There are so many people here of different
ages. This is not a bad thing, because it is
never too late to learn. Thank God for another
chance at it.
I call this my journey, personally, because there are
a lot of twists and turns in my life. I dare not give
specific details; I do not think they are needed.
I did not have a good start, but I plan to have a
great finish. The journey is going to be a sweet
one and I am really looking forward to it!
To be continued…
—By Marylee Bryant
I’m on the train on my way to work. At this
point I have a lot of anger inside of me. Part
of my anger is the way I’ve been mistreated by
my family. I am hurt because my sister doesn’t
believe in me. She wants to pick how to run
my life, either raise my kids or choose a career.
In my heart, I love to work with sick patients.
At this present time I am working at Winthrop
Hospital through a third party. I have a contract
from an agency. My sister had decided for me to
be a nurse, but I have other ideas. I would like
to be a Radiology Technologist. I will be very
happy with that because I will still be helping
people because it still falls in the medical field.
I believe I can make it if I put my mind into
it. I have decided to continue my education as
of today. I’ve been through a lot in my life. I
lost my apartment and my children had to be
placed with family members.
Today is a new day; it is like I’m being born
again. God has provided me with a new
apartment and I am very thankful for that.
My education is my next stop that I will
accomplish. I am very blessed God didn’t
forget about me. I will make it.
I decided to start writing as of today…
—By Yolanda Cadet-Smith
I would like to write about my life since I’ve
been in New York.
Since I been in here in New York, it has
been very hard to understand and hear a
difficult language called English. I was feeling
completely lost. Some things were hard to
explain. There were so many different things I
needed to learn.
That is the reason why I decided to study
English. Now, I feel free and I even have a
better job. I feel like I’m the boss.
Even though my English is better, I recognize
that I still have to keep learning. That is why I
came to Literacy Partners. I would like to thank
the organization for all they have done for me
and other students. Thank you very much!
—By Teresa De Jesus
37
It was the beginning of summer, a warm evening.
The date was June 27, 1973. It was Friday night.
I had a couple of friends over my house in the
Bronx. We decided to go out clubbing. I looked
in the closet to see what I should wear. I picked
out a pair of bell bottom pants, a nice shirt and
platform shoes. I got dressed and we all left for
the subway on 149th and 3rd Avenue.
We took the 2 train to Fordham Road and got off
the train. We walked down the stairs and heard
the loud music. We followed the people walking
towards the music. There was a large group of
people. We asked if this was club “310”; it was.
We got on line to get inside. The line started
moving and soon we were at the front door. The
man asked us for $5 each to enter the club. We
paid the cover charge and then entered the club.
This was my first time at a night club. I was so
happy! I had heard of night clubs but I never
thought I would go to one.
We found an empty table and sat down. I just
stared out towards the dance floor. I was too shy
to dance, but I closely watched all the people
dancing. When the disco ball came down, I was
shocked and amazed at all the light bouncing off
the crystal ball. It was near closing time, so we
left. We went back on the train and went home.
At home, I couldn’t stop thinking of the night
I just had. I heard the music in my head and
pictured all the people dancing. I didn’t dance
that night, because I didn’t know how to.
We went back to the club a couple more times.
I watched all the people dance. I picked up on
38
a lot of good moves and would go home and
practice them. I even added a few of my own
moves. I could not wait to go back to the club
and show off some of my moves!
I went to the club once more. This time, I
finally felt the courage to ask a girl to dance.
I could not believe I was really dancing. I felt
so good and so proud. The girl told me I was a
good dancer. After hearing that, there was no
stopping me. That night, I kept showing off
my moves and dancing with the girl.
I couldn’t believe a beautiful girl was interested
in me. Eventually, we went out and became
a couple. I was so proud to walk down the
streets with her, showing her off to all my
friends. I would tell them, “Look what I got”.
They would respond, “You pig!” I said to them,
“Don’t hate the player, hate the game!”
—By Rafael Cruz
The Collector
I started collecting autographs about 15 years
ago. My older brother passed on that hobby to
me. My brother and I used to go and meet the
baseball players at spring training in Florida to
get their signatures.
Getting autos is fun because behind every auto
is a different story. One of the things I like the
most is that my brother and I have a love for
the hobby and bond while we are acquiring
these signatures.
We have gone to hotels where they stay and
mingled with famous people. It’s really great
being able to have fun with famous people
because some of them party like it’s their last
party. Some of the people I have collected are
Derek Jeter, Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford, Jorge
Posada, Reggie Jackson, Hank Aaron, Dwight
Gooden, John McEnroe, Venus Williams, and
many, many more.
—By Rafael Collazo
My name is Irene Aku Djereckor. I am my
parent’s fifth child from a village called Fiahor
in the Volta region of Ghana. I started my
elementary education at A.M.E School at the
age of five till the age of eleven when I had to
continue at Alakple R.C middle school. I had
travel about ten miles every day, five days a
week by foot. At times I had to paddle a canoe
alone to school.
When I was in middle form 3, my parents left
the village to Togo for political asylum leaving
three of my younger siblings with me. As
fishing was the only occupation in the village, I
had to go fishing after school and always sleep
late which made it difficult for me to finish my
school assignments.
On Saturdays I had to go to the farm for
firewood which I sold for our food. Oh, life
was very hard! But, I managed to take good
care of my younger siblings and also finished
elementary school successfully, but nobody was
there to assist me to go to college.
In 1966, the late General Kotoka who hail
from my village staged a coup d’état in Ghana
before my parents were able to come back to
the village. My parents had no money after
they returned from Togo, things started getting
harder. I had to go and collect oysters and sell
them on market days before we eat. I then
decided to leave for the city. I left my village to
Accra and became a peddler.
In the year 1991, I applied to be trained as
a ward assistant in the hospital. The training
lasted for six months and I started work. I had
my first child at the age of twenty seven. In
1974 I enrolled in nurses training (LPN) and
completed 1976. I worked for twenty years
before applying for midwifery training school
in 1996 which I completed successfully.
I worked for ten years as a midwife and
retired. I came to visit my son in 2010. I am
now working as health aid and I obtained my
certified nursing assistant at New Age Institute
in 2012.
I am now attending literacy class to obtain
G.E.D.
—By Irene Djereckor
39
The first time I felt proud of something I did
was when I read out loud in class.
When I came to Literacy Partners, I was scared
of who would hear me read in the class. Why
was I scared? Because I couldn’t read.
My teacher told me not to be scared. What
I started to do is read things that were in the
train station. What I read was about where I
was from. It was a poster about Honduras.
That is how I learned how to read, because my
teacher talked to me about not giving up on
reading. That is when I just started to read.
And I love reading. I am getting better at it.
And I am very proud of myself for not giving
up on reading. Now I read out loud in class.
My teacher asked me to read and I asked her,
“Who?” and she said “You Delmar”. I began to
read and she said, “Good Delmar”.
—By Delmar Downs
How Failure Can Teach Us
About Success
Going out food shopping for the house, it’s
just my little sister and I. I ask her if she wants
anything while I’m out. She gives me a list
which I forget at home. I know she has a sweet
tooth so all I’m thinking is about her goodies,
not even what else could be on the list.
I come home with all these sweet cakes, cookies,
and pies; nothing but a bunch of sugar. She
helps me put away the food, and then asks
40
me did I get everything she asked for. I say yes
without telling her I forgot the list she made for
me and all I got was what I think she wants.
An hour or so goes by and she asks me for her
hair spray. She really needs it for the party she has
to go to later on. I feel so bad because I forgot her
list and if I would have just told her I left her list
I would know the hair spray wasn’t even at the
store I was going to at that time anyway.
I failed to pick up my phone and call her to let
her know, “Hey, Sis, I left your list. What else
do you need from outside?” Instead I just went
on thinking I knew what it was she needs.
Next time I’ll tell the truth.
—By Kamesha Dykes
The Day I Became an Adult
When I was a child, as far as I can remember,
I remember waking up in the morning and
watching my favorite cartoons and waiting to go
to the park to play with my friends. I remember
as a child we moved a lot and also I went to a
lot of different schools. And all I knew was to
take care of my grandmother who was raising
me until she passed.
I was thirteen. I can remember that day. My
grandmother had been in the hospital for
about two weeks and I was at home alone. I
heard a knock on the door and it was my aunt
and her husband and my biological mother. I
knew it was bad news. I knew my grandmother
had died at that moment. I knew at that
moment I had to become an adult.
When my grandmother passed I had to go
live with my biological mother and my two
brothers. One was older and one was younger,
so I was the middle child. I had lived with
my grandmother since I was a baby. When I
became a young girl I never could understand
why my mother didn’t raise me. But as I got
older I understood my mother was young. She
had my brother and she was going through a
rough time in her life and that’s how I came to
live with my grandmother.
I remember my grandmother like it was
yesterday. She was 5’3” with an Indian
complexion and black short hair. She was a
strong traditional Puerto Rican woman who
was easy to talk to. She had lots of friends and
she liked watching horror movies. They were
her favorite, but I didn’t like scary movies so
I would go and play with my dolls. But as
I was getting a little older my grandmother
was becoming sick and spending time in the
hospital. I was missing a lot of school. But I
had to take care of her and that’s what I did.
I was home alone. It was a weekday, I’m not
sure what day but I know I had school that
day. But I didn’t go. It was right after the
Christmas holiday and New Year’s Eve. It
was cold outside. My aunt’s family and I had
spent the holidays with my grandmother who
was in the hospital. To me, my grandmother
was doing better. She was laughing, smoking,
joking; I thought that she was coming home
soon. It was early morning, about 7:30a.m,
when the phone rang and it was the hospital.
A nurse was calling, asking to speak with one
of my aunts. From the tone of her voice I
knew it was bad news. The nurse knew I was a
minor so she said, “Please have your aunt call
the hospital as soon as possible.” It was later
that afternoon when my aunts and my mother
came and told me that my grandmother had
died in the morning.
—By Charlene Hernandez
My Apartment, A Place of Peace
The place I feel most peaceful and protected is
my apartment. Like people say, your eyes are
the windows to the soul. I see my apartment
as my commitment to the soul. It’s a place I
can find God and relate to Him because He
is holy. He delivers me from my troubles of
people and myself.
Most of the time, people take me where I
don’t want to go. My spirit becomes loose and
unconscious. My apartment is the place where
God brings back my thoughts to encourage me
as a father in His love.
I live alone and I sleep in the living room. My
apartment is light all day and it gives me a sense
of peace. As soon as I come in the room from
the street, one of the first things I do is pray.
The peace I feel within is not the peace of the
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outside world. The world tries to confuse the
principles and morals of life, so I keep my
composure until I go back to my apartment
where pure living comes back in place.
In my apartment, I have a picture of Jesus
having the Last Supper with his disciples. I also
have an electric picture with the sounds of a
waterfall and birds chirping and which gives
off a night light. My 30-inch color television
also brings me comfort. I love law shows or the
Words Channel, which is the Christian channel.
Development-specific orientation with Arianne
and ChristinaNow you can understand why I
love my apartment because it is a place where
I find my eyes are the window to the soul. The
love of God and the peace of my home give me
the comfort I need to sustain my life.
—By Beverly Jenkins
How Can Failure Teach Us About
Success?
As you would think, when you have been
waiting for your success to come for so long,
that when it arrives you’ve got it made. But the
problem is this: It’s not what you have, it’s how
long you get to keep it.
We are always thinking about ourselves as
we are moving up the ladder, not knowing
that this ladder has other people on it, too. I
noticed that some of these other people on the
ladder were fighting to achieve the same place.
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As we move up to succeed, sometimes we find
things aren’t as great in the high-paying job as
we had thought they were.
I have failed at some things. This left me feeling
angry. In time I found out that failing was the
best thing that could have happened. Being on
top isn’t always as pleasant as you may think. I
can appreciate the peace of mind and relaxing
surroundings I’m in with just two steps up.
—By Diane King
I remember back when I left my home town of
Beer-Sheva back in Israel to come to the United
States. I decided to take a vacation and possibly
search for new opportunities with my bother.
It wasn’t easy to leave Israel. I felt sad but
excited at the same time. I felt sad because I
was leaving behind my parents, my friends,
my job and everything that I knew till then.
But my heart told my head it was a good and
exciting new journey that I have to take.
When I told my friends and coworkers that
I was going to travel to the big apple, almost
everyone would say to me, “if you make it
there, you will make it anywhere” or they
would say “traveling is a great way to find
yourself.” At that time in my life, I was only 24
years old and my brother was 27. I had never
left home before but it didn’t matter to us.
The excitement was unbearable. It was a new
journey with my brother right next to me.
Now looking back after years of struggles, we
have found our passions. In separate ways, we
have made fulfilling lives for ourselves.
—By Jeannette Kirsch
Life to me is a struggle
If life is so beautiful like people say,
why do I struggle with slow learning disability?
People constantly mock me and try to bomb
me
and stomp me like a roach
They treat me with reproach
They say I’m scary like a ghost
When I was little, even as an adult
They often said I was a punk,
That would get slammed in a basketball dunk
I would get sad when I heard that
I use to date a young lady that I loved very
much back in the 60s. She was good looking.
We dated for about two years. We had
some good times and we enjoyed our young
life together. We would go to the movies,
restaurants and the dance hall. We would go
to the famous Apollo on a Saturday night.
Otis Redding and Sam Cooke were our DJs.
I was happy with her all through our young
relationship. We still talk even to this day. I was
a little bit insecure on my part and I just could
not get my thoughts together. I was not sure
of myself and that is why we are not together
anymore. She was much more intelligent than
me and it made a big difference between us.
When I remember my sweetheart it keeps me
here to learn some more.
There are storms in life, but life can be
beautiful. Just as the sun sets for serenity.
—By Keith Knight
I felt I was verbally being smacked
Often mocked.
But once I joined Literacy Partners
I began to overcome my disability
With tutoring, home schooling
Never thought I would do it.
But now I’m doing it
My goals, I’m achieving
Not retrieving
Obstacles, defeating.
There are a lot of things I felt proud of, but
the proudest moment was when I first started
pre-k. At that time, I was about 3 years old and
I did not know anybody except my parents.
One beautiful morning, my mom bathed me
and dressed me up. She told me she was going
to drop me off at school so that I can start pre-k.
Initially, I felt highly displeased about it when
she told me that she would leave me there until
closing, but she said she would pick me up.
—By David Garcia
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Truly speaking, I was unhappy about it. The
first question I asked my mother was, “how I
am I going to eat?” She said they would feed
me. I then asked if it would be the same food
that we have been eating at home, she replied
that it would be a little different.
After my mom had left, the teacher brought up
a big notebook and started calling individual
names. He instructed us to raise our hand when
he called our name. He called several of the kid’s
names and finally he called mine also. I was so
young that I did not know exactly how to raise
my hand, so when the teacher called me I was
still sitting down. One of the kids sitting next to
me whispered to me to raise my hand.
The teacher asked me to stand up. When I
did, he asked me how I felt being there for the
first time. I told the teacher plainly that I was
so proud to be in his class with different kids
from other countries for the first time in my
life. I was only used to my parents.
My first day at pre-k had been a remarkable
and proud time in my life.
—By Pierre Kolora
My Perfect Place
Is the Country Life
A farm has always been my perfect place of
contentment. The peace of living on a farm is
a gift from the Gods. People are very friendly
everywhere.
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Life in the country is heavenly. The air is fresh
and crisp. It makes us want to wake up early to
see what life has to offer. I remember one time
my family made plans to go crabbing when we
had stayed up late the night before. As soon
as the rooster started its crowing we were all
up, wide-eyed and content to enjoy the early
morning dew.
There were chickens all over the place on the
farm and cattle in the field. My grandmother
would go to the market to sell what eggs she
could spare. She had her own little store. We
all took pride in what little money we earned.
After feeding the cows, chickens, pigs, and
horses, it was time to enjoy the great outdoors.
No one can take that away from you.
In the country everything is peaceful and calm.
People come from all over just to buy what
you have to sell. After long walks in the field,
listening to the sound of the wind and the
trucks driving by, you might hear a neighbor
yelling out the window, “Did you see my
child?” In the country people keep an eye on
your child like it’s their own. The country life
puts nature in perspective.
Living in the country can be very affordable.
Instead of going to the market you can go to
your barn and choose your dinner. But if you
become empathetic with the livestock, they
can get the best of your emotions. Then you’ll
find the supermarkets are very clean, the food
is fresh, and the prices are affordable.
Everywhere you go country people are so
friendly. Once they hear a person from New
York is in town, they come running with
greetings of good cheer. No matter where you
go, if people are not your cousins, they’re your
friends. The parties are fun and the nightlife
on the weekends is spectacular. The sun goes
down, the party lights turn on and everyone
is dressed to impress. When it comes time to
leave if you need a ride, just stand on the side
of the road and you will eventually get a ride to
your destination.
As you can tell, the farming life makes my soul
content.
—By Kenneth Lawrence
My Third Year At Literacy
Partners
When I was 8 years old, I was collecting
charity for my school in Brooklyn. I was
going around to different synagogues asking
for donations where I lived in Queens, NY.
My parents and my brother thought it was a
great idea to raise money for charity, because
it would help me become a good Jewish
character. It would help me to understand how
to become a better person.
The way my school principal found out what
I was doing was when my parents brought in
the money. I raised one thousand dollars that
year, which made my principal proud of me.
The school principal told the whole school
on Hanukkah what I did for the school. He
allowed me to give ice cream cones to the whole
school which made me proud as I proved to
myself that I could become a great role model.
—By Elliot Lieberman
Thailand, A Land of Wonder
Thailand is a place where most tourists would
love to visit. I went there 12 years ago for a week
and had the best time of my life. What do you
think people say when they talk about Thailand?
To me, Thailand was full of fun. You can go
there alone or with a friend or family. I went
with my mom and sister. We had a solid, full
week. In the morning we would go around
visiting the temples. Do you know that Thais
actually worship their king and their Buddhist
religion almost every hour of the 24 hours
of the day? When the prayers are broadcast
through the air, everyone actually stops all
their work and listens. When the prayers are
over all the people start working again, acting
as if nothing happened.
Another thing we did while we were in
Thailand, and did a lot, was eating all kinds
of food, like food sold by the hawkers along
the street. There is non-stop serving of food,
hot and cold, and exciting. My favorite was
bird’s nest soup. Bird nest soup was very
expensive during the time of my visit, but it is
very common in Thailand. Almost everyone
knows how to cook it. I had it every day while
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I stayed there. The bird nest is not made of
twigs. It is actually a nest made from an adult
male bird’s saliva for a live baby bird. It tastes
sweet. Eating it was one good experience.
I also got to visit the Four-Headed Buddha
that was in one of the hotels. Everyone goes
there to make wishes. When your wishes come
true, you go back again to show your tribute
through your prayers. You will hire dancers to
perform a dance, or buy flowers to show your
appreciation that your wishes came true.
It was wonderful getting a chance to visit
Thailand, the Land of Wonder. I’m totally
thankful for the experience. All the people
there were so kind. It might be different now,
but I was welcome during my stay. I wish one
day I’ll be able to visit again.
—By Lee Meng Lim
One day, I went to see a band play. At that
time I loved music and wanted to become
a musician. However, I wasn’t sure what
instrument I wanted to play. That changed
when this band played that night.
From the moment I heard the drummer, I knew
drums was the instrument for me. The drummer
that inspired me that night was Joshua Berrios.
After the performance, I asked him for some tips
and he offered to give me some lessons. He gave
me his phone number and introduced me to
other musicians. They were also helpful in getting
me started in this instrument.
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I started at the age of 18. That would be
considered late to start, but that was the age that
I started working and was able to buy a drum
kit. I would practice for about 4 to 5 hours a
day using instructional videos. I played with a
few bands, nothing big, just playing with other
musicians that wanted to have a good time.
For me, it is not about the fame or money. It’s
just something that makes me happy.
—By Eliezer Mercado
The Emerald Empire
In life every human being has a place where
one goes for a moment of peace of mind, to
feel at ease or comfortable. For myself, I’ve
created a world of my own and many times I
astroproject myself there. This perfect place of
mine is called the Emerald Empire.
This new world, the Emerald Empire, is made
up of green stones such as green malachite
and others and all shades of green marble,
with a road made of gold leading a path to my
Emerald Castle made up of green malachite
stone surrounded by many gold treasures that
are guarded by green marble warriors. Also
there are hedges and gardens with fountains
spouting and growing peacock feathers instead
of grass and trees.
And within this empire, that also has a royal
monarchy, I am myself, of course, the King.
In this world of perfection, I visit often when I
come across challenges in life or when I feel a
deity wanting to create a new life. My favorite
stone is green malachite because it makes me
feel safe and protected from harm. It also
makes me feel a motherly feeing. Malachite is a
“mother stone” to me. In this Emerald Empire
there are a monarch, a warrior, and most of all
families. Children in small villages surrounding
the castle all made up of shades of green
marble and peacock feathers. The world to me
of family—paradise.
The Emerald Empire is the world I created,
to astroproject to. And now, once a fantasy
world of mine becomes the real world to
me. Preserving it, molding it, bettering it
and evolving it. The real world. The Emerald
Empire of peace.
—By Raymond Mercado
What a Man Does
Growing up in Brooklyn, New York as a little
boy was very hard with a lot of peer pressure to
skip school with my friends to hang out and do
nothing productive. Or to drink alcohol till one
of us passed out. And not to obey my mother.
She was a single parent with two kids and it was
hard for her to keep up with both of us.
At the age of 16 I started to get into trouble,
fighting and staying out late. My mother was
putting me on punishment but I would find a
way to get out of it. My aunts and uncle had
to get involved. They started lecturing us but
it would go through one ear and out the other.
The police had to get involved, too; my mother
was using them as a scare tactic to get me
straight—and it worked.
After all the trouble I was getting into I learned
my lesson and got a little wiser. One of the
lessons I learned was to respect authority
and my elders, people who wouldn’t lead me
wrong. They told me how to learn and listen.
I do not know it all, but when I pay attention
I can get some of the answers. I always used
to ask myself “what should I do to stay on the
right track?” And the answer was to love myself
and to keep looking forward.
Now I’m looking forward to trying to keep
straight. Now that I have a child, I can’t make
any more mistakes. I want to be the best father
I can be and help my daughter overcome the
obstacles that people helped me to overcome. I
will do everything I can to do that. Now I’m a
man and that’s what I’m supposed to do.
—By Kareem O’Brady
My Name and What
It Means to Me
A name is a very personal thing. It’s a powerful
piece of who we are. A name is applied to us,
identifies us, it is the sound to which we respond.
My name Victor is pronounced ‘Vic-tor. It’s
of Latin origin, and the meaning of Victor is
Champion. It was a very popular name in ancient
Christian Rome. I find my name to be religious
and, some time ago, I believe it helped me pull
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through my most difficult times in my life. My
name fits me very well. And, according to its
meaning, I can accurately identify myself with it.
My name really defines who I am, and my
personality. My perseverance, my strength,
my faith, the struggle, they are all there in
my personality and characteristics. I can truly
relate to my name, and its meaning, although
I’m not completely there yet. However, I feel
like a champion because I was able to conquer
the fears that had paralyzed me.
I don’t think I would have made it in the
most difficult times in my life without my
name. I am a victor in every sense of the
name and its definition.
—By Victor Perez
Life Is What You Make It
When you think about life, it is like a road.
When you are driving, you always want to
drive on the smooth road; you never want to
drive on the rough road. Similarly, you choose
which way you want your life to be. If you
choose a rough and difficult life, that is what
your life will be like.
You must choose which way you want your
life to be at an early age, so that will give you
enough time to make your life right. You must
think about all the challenges in your life and
be prepared for it.
School of Those Days
My native country is Nepal. When I was
growing up in the 1960s in Nepal Village, they
were just opening the school. So, one of our
village chief said “everybody should send their
kids to school”. I was not able to go to school
because I had to work in form. If my parents
were rich they would hire people to work in
form, but my parents weren’t rich, so I could
not go to school. Every day, I used to go to the
forest to gather fire wood for cooking or grass
for the cows. On my way to the forest, I used
to pass by the school house and I could hear
the kids reading out loud.
In 2008, I went to Nepal Village and I was
surprised. It was so different. Rich or poor, all
the parents sent their children to school and
those young men and woman were teacher and
nurses. In my time, my parents used to ask us,
“Did you bring the wood? Did you plant the
corn or did you feed the chickens and cows?”
Now, every parent says “go to school” to their
children. When I was a kid I used to blame my
parents for not sending me to school. But, as I
got older, I understood that they did not go to
school and neither did their parents.
I feel lucky to come to Literacy Partners and
learn what I have never learned before. Thank
you Literacy Partners!
—By Gita Rai
So life is what you make it.
—By Navindranauth Persaud
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A Difference of Opinion
Man, are families’ headaches! Thank God my
family isn’t that much of one, though they
become a headache when it comes to our
religious beliefs. My family has a big thing
about beliefs. My mom, my sister, my dad all
believe in the same things as I do, but they
make their beliefs sound real different from the
way I see things. We have many different views
on our same beliefs.
Now, you see my family believes in celebrating
Christmas and Easter means having to be in
a church building. They believe Jesus Christ
was born on December 25, and “that’s a day
you have to go to church.” They also believe in
Easter, and that is the day Jesus was risen after
dying two days before (it was really three days,
but we can talk about that later on). Lastly,
they believe that you need to go to church and
be a part of a church and praise and worship
in a church, and if I stop going to what they
consider as church for a week or two, they
question me. My family are strong believers in
these three points. Do I agree with them? Well,
let’s talk about that.
We do believe in the same God; but I don’t
agree with their having to celebrate Christmas
and Easter in church. Now, I do believe Jesus
was born at some point; but he wasn’t born on
December 25 because if you actually read in
the text of the Bible it never says an exact date.
It gives you a time more or less when he was
born which is around the end of the summer. I
would never judge my family’s beliefs because
there is no reason to. It’s just two ways of
thinking, accept it or not.
As for Easter, I don’t believe Jesus rose from the
dead on Easter because there is the fact that it
was only two days from Friday when he was
crucified. In the Bible it says it was three days,
not to mention every four years the day of his
actual death changes, so they are celebrating
Easter every four years when Jesus actually rose
the month before. Like I mentioned, this is
just something I read while studying the Bible.
Lastly I don’t believe you have to go to
church—which I actually call service—because
in the Bible it says that we are the church and
the temple and God lives within us. So for that
I don’t believe that you have to go to a special
building in order to feel God if He already
lives within you.
Even though my family and I have our
differences, we still have our common views.
We both believe God does miracles and that
He is all powerful and that He does things no
one else can do. We both believe in reading the
Bible and we both know how real the Bible is
and how it speaks into today’s life.
At the end of the day, we realize that we are
still family and we still serve the same God. So,
whether or not we see eye to eye, we still are
going to love each other no matter what.
—By Joshua Ruiz
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Kicking Back in Barbados
Barbados is the place where I am most
content. It is one of the smallest islands in the
Caribbean but, in my opinion, it is the most
beautiful and breathtaking island. Once I get
off the airplane, there is no place else where I
want to be. I just kick back and relax.
The island boasts two very different shorelines.
The west coast is more tranquil, with bluegreen water. You can do almost every water
sport but my favorite is snorkeling on the coral
reefs and seeing the colorful fish swimming
around me. The east coast of the island is the
Atlantic Ocean side. It is windswept and has a
more rugged shoreline with huge waves. I just
enjoy watching the surfers and walking in the
sea, looking into the rock pools.
On Friday night when the sun goes down,
everyone comes out and ends up at Oistin’s
Fish Fry, an open air restaurant. You can get
freshly caught fish hot off the grill. The smell
of the fish or chicken is mouth-watering. The
fish is served with french fries, bread, fries, rice
or salad. There is nothing like being out under
the stars eating good food with fun people, and
listening to the sounds of Calypso and Reggae.
One of the dearest parts of Barbados to me is
Harrison Cave. It’s in the middle of a tropical
forest with what seems like a thousand different
types of flowers and monkeys all around
you. The cave itself has underground pools, a
waterfall, and stalactites and stalagmites with
flashing red, yellow and blue electric lights to
help you see. It is really worth a visit.
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I love Barbados because it is one of the most
beautiful islands, with polite people, the best
food, the best music, fun activities, and nice
weather. I can’t wait to go back!
—By Judith Scantlebury
What’s in a Name?
I am learning the origin of my name, German.
I am wondering what connection my mother
had with German. Was my father German
incognito? I’ll never know the answer, both my
parents are dead.
As a child, I didn’t care for my name because
in my circle of friends Erwin was not a popular
name. I would have preferred Mike, John, or
Paul. But everyone in my neighborhood had
a nickname and that’s what you were known
by—our real names didn’t matter. When
I became older, after my first job, I sort of
gradually grew into the name Erwin.
Today I can say I love my name because I hear
it so much. I have grown accustomed to it. My
name has a good ring to it. I love it, and after
reading a profile of my name, I am even loving
it more because I can attribute all these good
things to my life!
Let’s look at the meaning of my name: Strength.
I can associate that with me. Image: Strongwilled, Magnetic. Wow! I accept! (Laugh)
“Personality: Admired, Articulate, Good
Communicator. Likes varied experiences, being
on the move, exploring the world. Seeks to
excel. Follows his dream with great tenacity.”
I love this. I must confess, it’s all me!
Now my question: Who has been spying on me?
—By Erwin Thomas
Excerpt from the autobiography
of Yuri Thomas
One day my mother became very ill. When
she was rushed to the hospital, it was then
they discovered she had cancer. Dave heard
the news a few months after he left her. My
grandmother was in Canada, my aunts and
uncles were living far away Iris was the only
person my mom trusted enough to have look
after me while she was in the hospital. She was
released but needed a second opinion within
10 days, whether to undergo surgery or not.
She decided to do the surgery, but on the 9th
day her life was changed forever. She was rushed
to the hospital not because of the cancer, but
from food poisoning. No one saw it coming
or even imagined who or why someone would
commit such a heinous crime to a sick helpless
person. Her best friend Iris tried to kill her. The
same night the news got to Cool Lee and the
neighbor’s, who moved in a few years earlier,
about the incident. They once again came to
our aid. They took me to see her in the hospital
Cool Lee was already there. My mom stared
at me and was helpless but not hopeless. Then
the next day she had surgery but the cancer had
spread further than they thought; they didn’t
have the resources or the technology necessary
to save her life. The news went from bad to
worse she asked Cool lee to look after me and
not to let me see her in that condition she
wanted me to retain good memories of her. Not
the thin dying person she had become. More
and more she tried keeping me away, the harder
it became for her. It was breaking her heart.
The last day I spent with her she told me
“Sos, Never hit a woman, be kind to people,
be honest, don’t steal, don’t do drugs or do
anything to make you go to prison or get
murdered. Always walk away from trouble
even if you’re right sometimes. Live and
become someone special, I named you after
the first man who went to outer space named
“Yuri Gagarin”. Hoping you’ll use that name as
a guide to greatness. Then she whispered in my
ear ‘I LOVE YOU’.
—By Yuri Thomas
Last June at the Reading Celebration, Linda
Hamptlon wrote and read a story about her
ups and downs and the adversities that she
had gone through in some part of her life. It
was very emotional and inspirational. She was
able to turn her life around and found a way
to make a new life for herself. Also, she was
able to jump on the learning train and not stop
until she receives her G.E.D.
Linda Hamptlon, you are my inspiration.
—By Pauline Thron
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My Father
My father, Vincent D. Traver, Sr., was born June
24, 1929 at home on a farm in Ulster County,
upstate New York. As a boy growing up his
passion was animals—which led naturally to
him becoming a veterinarian—and to his sports,
and the great outdoors. Dad was very close with
his mother and very protective of his brother
and sister. Even as a young boy the amount of
pride and loyalty he had for himself and his
family amazed my grandmother from the stories
she told. From what I understand he excelled at
sports and had extremely good grades in all his
school studies.
Of course, everyone thinks their father is the
greatest person in the world or at least I’d like
to think so. My dad was a warm, kind-hearted,
loveable father and a damn good husband.
Mom knew he was a good father and a good
husband 95 percent of the time. He was a
hard-working man and provided for us very
well with lots of love, support, and patience.
Dad did have one real bad flaw of talking your
ear off. He could talk all day and all night. My
mom said he even talked in his sleep.
Dad had an unusual sense of humor and
wit. With us kids, he was firm but fair. He
was disciplined, organized, and faithful with
work and family. My mom did have a hand in
keeping him that way. Around the town he was
popular and very involved with the community.
Everyone enjoyed his character, energy, and
his way of helping others. He was known as
being a hard-working, generous, family man.
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Also he started a 4-H Club, cub Scouts, and
helped build our school one hell of a baseball
team. He was very fair with all the farmers with
servicing their animals and also very reasonable
with them financially. He had a good hand with
the animals, even the meanest of them. People
marveled over that quality in him.
Sometimes at night as I close my eyes I see
that loveable, warm, handsome face and it
puts me at ease. Also, I sometimes can still
hear him bellowing our names “Janice, Bea,
Commie, Jeffrey, Glenn, and Vinny” to come
in the house. I do miss his talks, his bad corny
jokes, and the funny faces he’d make behind
peoples’ backs. But most of all I miss his warm
hands across my shoulders when times were
incredibly tough for me.
—By Glenn Traver
An Agent of Change
The place where I am perfectly content is my
work environment. I have so many reasons
why my job helps me mentally and physically
stay grounded with myself and those around
me. As a substance abuse counselor I come
across clients who are resistant towards
treatment as I was at one time in my life when
I was being forced to seek treatment under one
mandate or another.
As an intake counselor I am the first person
to meet with the client. My job is to assess the
client and gather the substance abuse history
from the age of first onset as well as a family
history of substance abuse, if any. When
clients come in for services they are either
mandated or self-referred. The clients who are
mandated by an agency come in with different
attitudes which at times, are directed at me.
I understand their resistance not only as a
counselor but also as someone who once sat in
their seat and displayed the same attitudes and
behaviors that they are now showing to me.
My job requires me to show empathy towards
the client and understanding of where they
are with their emotions and feelings. As a
counselor my job is to direct the client towards
a positive change in recovery. That means
moving the client from one stage to another
in the recovery process and preparing them for
change. When a client comes into my office
with anger and attitude, my first thought is
me. What I say to the client is “I understand
your feelings and your behaviors are normal,
but your anger is not with me. Let’s talk
about why you are really angry and who you
are angry with.” The clients often share their
feelings on why they do not need treatment
which is the denial stage. It’s everyone’s fault
but theirs. I understand their resistance because
we don’t want to look at ourselves and admit
that a problem really exists.
As time moves on I observe the resistant clients
and watch how progress slowly takes over their
lives. I sit and observe ever so eagerly how
the clients mentally and physically progress
from pre-contemplation to contemplation, to
changing their lives from negative to positive,
and to making proper and productive changes
as well as choices for their new selves. When
one of my resistant clients peeks their head
through my door to just say hello and tell me,
“Ms. Turpin, I got my children back!” or “Ms.
Turpin, my toxicology is clean,” it makes my
job worthwhile and a place where I’m perfectly
content. Just seeing the change in their
attitudes and behaviors puts a great big smile
on my face. I know that they have been welleducated on the disease of addiction.
—By Lorraine Turpin
My proudest moment is when I read a book to
my grandchildren. I remember the first time
my grandchildren asked me to read a book to
them. I told my grandchildren to go to their
grandmother to read the book. It made me feel so
bad. I told myself, I must improve my reading.
So when I went to my social worker, I told her
what happened and we talked about it. She
asked me, “How would you like to go back to
school?” I smiled and said, “Don’t you think
I’m a little too old to go back to school?” She
said, “No, would you like me to help you find
a school to go to?” and I said, “Yes.”
She got on the computer and searched for a
school, and we came up with Literacy Partners,
Inc. She called them up, explained who
she was, told them about me and made an
appointment to come in. I went in and they
53
interviewed me, gave me a test and told me
they would be in touch.
I was very proud and happy to be accepted
in the school program. I’ve come a long way.
The teachers are the best. God bless Literacy
Partners and their teachers!
—By Oliver Wright
Something I’ve done
that I am proud of…
I am most proud of going back to school as an
adult. I enrolled at Literacy Partners for GED
studies. In 2011, I was approaching 26 years
in the medical field. As a result of jobs lost,
it became apparent that I may not have a job
to retire from in the next 7 to 8 years. Staff
reductions as well as layoffs, also known as
forced staff reductions, were quickly becoming
the norm in 2004.
Literacy partners to find out information
about their GED program and asked about
enrollment. I was told that they would enroll
me, so they asked for my name and told me
that I would hear from them soon. I heard
from them in 6 months and I was very excited
to hear that I was accepted to their program.
Then an appointment was set for me to come
in for a placement test.
Entering a classroom after 43 years was
intimidating to say the least. At times I have
had doubts about myself. However, I have
kept myself focused on passing and getting my
GED. Once I get the GED, I’ll be ready for
whatever the future may bring. As an adult,
I feel confident if I should have to reenter
the work force to begin a second career. This
makes me very proud of myself.
—By Isabel Ynoa
I realized that a change in the medical field was
necessary if I wanted to be prepared for what
the future may hold for me in my retirement
years. The health field is not only appealing,
but clearly the field most prominent and
growing rapidly.
I can remember the very first time I truly felt
proud of something I did. I was 26 years old at
the time. I always wanted to learn to ride a bike;
I never learned as a kid. I would always ask my
husband to teach me to ride a bike, but they
would always say no to me, so I never did learn.
I will choose Radiology, because if offers me
several job opportunities and I already have
certifications for, such as medical assisting,
phlebotomy, EKG and laboratory technician.
This field is in high demand today.
One day I was on Columbus Avenue and 86th
street, when I saw a bike outside an antique
store for sale. I purchased it for $35, because my
husband told me he would teach me to ride it.
I first researched GED websites and found
the telephone for Literacy Partners. I called
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So, on the following Saturday, we went in back
of City College so that he could teach me.
When it came time for him to do so, he backed
out of the promise he made to me. I became so
angry with him that I told him to let go of my
bike because when I come back down the hill, I
will be riding. You watch and see!
As I started to ride, I looked up to see a group
of young boys between the ages of 12 and
14 watching me; I was terrified. I thought
they would make fun of me, but instead they
encouraged me to ride. They began to yell out,
“come on lady, you can do it!” and I did it!
In the end, I thanked my husband because he
made me angry enough to show him I could
do it with or without his help.
—By Denise Tucker
55
Class
GED Prep
Teacher
Carla Jeanpierre
Music Saved Sonny’s Life
Being a musician myself, I know very well
what music can do to an artist, and for an
artist. Sometimes, it can be intoxicating.
Music can carry you to marvelous places. It
can transport you to a world you have never
experienced -- a world of happiness and
sadness and melancholy.
For Sonny, music must have been engraved in
his heart from a very young age, or perhaps,
from the time he was born. I never even
considered his story would end before he had
the chance he deserved to experience his dream
come true, or that he would be dead before his
dream came to be.
What struck me as quite amazing as I
was reading “Sonny’s Blues” was Sonny’s
determination against terrible odds. He was
committed to changing his destiny. The 50s
was a terrible time to be a kid in Harlem.
It was a time when whites and middle class
African-Americans had moved out of Harlem.
It was almost like a death sentence, predictable
and often tragic!
The chances of an African-American kid
making it in Harlem in the 50s was slim to
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none. Sonny had no role models. He grew up
among pimps and whores and gangs, crime
and drug addiction and, of course, racism
and segregation. However, it is important to
understand that Sonny had to go through this
journey to build his character and to become
the amazing musician he grew to be. He learned
that his pain was not a curse, but a hurtle
that life puts in front of all of us. Having that
understanding prevented him from wallowing
in a life of bitterness and depression.
Historically, almost all the great artists, from
every area of the arts, had turbulent lives; it
was almost a prerequisite for any successful
artist to become a better performer. Judy
Garland and Van Gogh used their pain to
better who they were as artists. An artist can
become anyone at anytime, almost like magic!
Sonny practiced that magic by playing many
roles in order to adjust as he grew up. This
magic stayed with Sonny throughout his life
and tribulations, and never left him alone.
Sonny was a magician who always followed his
instincts, who taught himself not to wait, not
to be patient, or life would pass him by. He
followed his own “yellow brick road”, which was
quite dark in the beginning. He followed his
dreams to do magic, to play music! If Sonny had
gone through life without ever having played
music, he would have suffocated and eventually
died of a broken heart. Fortunately, Sonny did
not! BRAVO, Sonny!!!!!!
—By Robert Figueiredo
What Is a True Friend?
A true friend is someone who always stands
by your side no matter the situations you get
yourself in or go through. A true friend never
judges you on the mistakes you’ve made.
During my lifetime I’ve gone through tons of
friends. I used to hang out with 20 or more
people and party every day. I stopped partying
due to a situation that occurred causing me to
stop, all of a sudden I lost the majority of those
same friends. I started to feel as if I was hitting
rock bottom and noticed I only have 3 real
true friends who can count on me and who I
can always count on no matter what. Although
they support me in my decisions, they do not
hesitate to scold me if they think I am making
wrong decisions. However we have a strong
friendship and are able to discuss whatever is
on our minds without judgment. We consider
ourselves like a family pumping the same blood.
A true friend is someone who will not leave
you in the dust because you’re going through
rough times. They will help you and try to
get you on your feet once again. A friend is a
person who is concerned, and they would get
angry if something happened and they weren’t
called to help. We would call that friend a rideto-die friend. Meaning if there was a serious
issue, whether it was a fight, need a place to
sleep, or anything they would be there with
you, and/or for you. A person who would
defend you if you were not around, and speak
good things about you. Otherwise if they don’t
look out, that means they just may snake you.
Basically, a true friend from my personal
experience is someone who will look past
all of your flaws. Ride with you through the
blizzards and harsh weather that life can drop
on your shoulders and help motivate you to
do better. If we are both hungry, we are both
going to eat and be supportive in positive
ways. Showing loyalty to one another, for
instance a friend won’t sit down and eat with
an enemy and you at the same time. A friend is
that person that isn’t afraid to kick you in the
ass so they can see you do better in life.
—By Garrett Mendez
Personal Thoughts on
Climate Change
This climate change due to global warming,
caused by burning fuel, coal, and nuclear nonreusable energy,is very alarming to me. I really
don’t see any good, long-term advantages to
this alarming situation. We may have cooler
summers for the people that love the cool
63
weather,but it harms our planet. It will affect
our future generations. Think about your
kids,nephews and future relatives. What type
of world will they live in?
I live in the South Bronx, New York. I
remember when winters were cold and
summers were hot. My family used to be able
to schedule camp-outs and other outdoor
activities with time because the weather was
stable enough. In winter,it would snow before
Christmas and we would play with the snow
Christmas mornings. The weather was not so
aggressive. Hurricanes would never cross any
New Yorkers mind.
As I grew up I’ve noticed it wouldn’t snow on
Christmas anymore. Unfortunately, winters
became extremely longer. Therefore, Spring
would arrive much later than expected.
Summers were cooler and we would have to
plan out out-door activities at the last minute
because we wouldn’t know if the weather
would be stable enough.
Now that I’m older, I’ve learned what this
weather is due to. I have a niece and a nephew.
I worry about the type of world they might live
in. I only hope that someone does something
about this problem. We all have to step up
and make changes in our way of life to reduce
global warming. I want my young loved ones
to see jungles, animals and all the natural
wonders that our planet has to offer not a
destroyed and abused planet.
Shall Not Be Lonely
Has God chosen a
life of loneliness for me?
Shouting to the heavens
You see a young woman
Yes! Yes! Yes! That’s me!
Can’t bear this hole in my heart
that feels so heavy
like a million bricks in my tummy
I scream. Oh why? Oh why?
Lord, oh why?
What have I done to pay
this penalty of loneliness?
I look to the sky. No answer.
I drop to my knees
Scrapes, then bleeds
I can’t believe that
God has forsaken me.
I thought he loved me. Then,
a soft touch on my shoulder It was
Him.
He said, “My child, you are not
alone. I am here. Let’s go home.”
—By Jasslyn Brown
—By Erick Ramos
64
Class
GED Prep
Teacher
Gerald Alexis
I am very proud of my individuality, but there
have been plenty of times when I needed
help from someone to achieve something.
For example, when I was younger I used to
love playing basketball but because I was a
little bit heavier than my friends I would only
want to play for fun because I didn’t think I
could compete or keep up with other kids in
tournament games. But many of my friends
encouraged me that I could play and be very
good I just needed to know how to use my
weight and strength effectively instead of
worrying about being quick and agile.
They made me start watching professional
basketball to see how smaller and slower
players were able to still play and score by
using their size and strength to get closer more
high percentage shots and get to the free throw
line. I learned the same way they would have
an advantage over me by being smaller and
able to run by me. I also had an advantage over
them by being able to over power them. Once
my friends gave me a couple of encouraging
talks and I started to play the way they told
me to and I saw the other players doing it I
included it into my game and was very good.
When I went for the tryouts not only did I
make the team but I started. The coach figured
with my size and skill not only would I be
good to score, but I would be good for defense
because the opposing player having to battle
and bang bodies with me for the majority of
the game would tire him out faster.
Not only did I make the team, but I learned
more than I thought I would. I learned how to
use my body to my advantage, how to improve
my game and skill set, and that my physical
play would also do me well on defense. If it
wasn’t for my friends pushing and encouraging
me to improve and be better I would of never
known how good I can me and I would
of more than likely continued to just play
regular pick up games in the park and never
accomplished my goal of playing and starting
for a tournament team.
—By Pete Lewis
65
As a teen I was always a hot head, not wanting
to ask for help or even admit I needed it. But
now as an adult I’ve learned the hard way that
I do need help and also need to admit it. After
coming to the U.S. in 2003 learning how to live
or how things work here was hard for a hot head
like me. After eight months without finding a
job I was ready to give up and go back home. I
kept saying “I don’t need this.” My oldest sister
was already living in New York for maybe five
years, to me she was getting work so easy. Still
as a hot head and not wanting to ask for help or
even adbvice I keep trying on my own.
On May 10, 2011 I was excited to start my
new job doing construction. I’ve been out
of work for months and had my first son on
the way. I arrived on time and was excited to
meet the staff that I would be working with
remodeling this restaurant on West 34th Street
called “Sweet and Savory.” Later on that day
I began introducing myself to all the other
employees and believe me they weren’t friendly.
Most of the employees were immigrants from
Mexico and Russia between the ages 30 and 45
and was not about to have some young 23 year
old steal their job.
After three more months I give in and ask her
for help. She said that the first thing I need to
do is “STOP BEING A HOT HEAD.” Next
we need to start to look for agencies that is
hiring for the job I’m looking for. At that time
anything from waitress to babysitter or even
housekeeper. So on days she had off we took the
train to different places in Queens to different
offices. And on other days she showed me how
to look and where to look for places that might
hire in clothes stores. Getting a job was the
only thing on my mind. We walk the streets for
hours went in every store even ones that did not
have a help wanted sign. When she had to work
I didn’t go into most stores. With my sister’s
help and good planning after just one month of
doing this I got my first job as a waitress. So I
learned two things. 1) Asking for help is never a
bad or hard thing and 2) having good family is
also not a bad thing.
During my first week it was a lot of hard
work my boss taught me a few things but
the other workers weren’t cooperative at all.
Although we worked for the same company
we weren’t working together as one to get the
job done. The job site was more of a “dog eat
dog” environment. Later I observed that the
Mexican were really into soccer and would
play during lunch, also the Russians were into
sports and politics, so I gained interest and got
involved with both groups.
English wasn’t the language of choice for the
Hispanic workers they could barely speak
it and the Russian workers didn’t know a
lick of Spanish so my goal was to seal the
gap between the two groups so we can all
communicate better and get the job site done
on time. Together as one my boss began to
observe the workers and notice a change on
the site every one was focused and working
—By Rayann Lezama
66
as a team being that I was the only bilingual
worker I translated a lot and helped everyone
understand each other better. Weeks later
we finished the job site on time my boss was
pleased and work has been great ever since.
Although we are proud of our individuality we
often need help from others to achieve a goal.
—By Matthew Raposo
Everyone has at least one rule to live by.
Something that guides them through life and
steers them in a direction every day, whether
they realize it or not. For me, that rule would
be to always stay true to myself. Some might
say it’s the most simple rule to live by. Some
might very well disagree.
In this day and age, most people don’t truly
know who they are. They don’t know what
they want, what drives them, or keeps them on
the path they are on. I am one of the fortunate
that knows each of these things. Not being
aware of these things can make being true to
oneself difficult, because you can’t be true to
what you don’t understand.
Nowadays everything is technology. People
have stopped thinking and have let electronics
think for them. Without realizing it, they
are giving up their own voice, and giving
in to a world filled with smart phones and
unintelligent people. A world where people
must have what has been shown in every
commercial, regardless of expense or their own
personal taste. They conform to what society
says they should be, look like, and act like.
Individuality has pretty much ceased to exist.
It’s dangerous, because you end up with a lot
of people who are blind to their own lives.
People who are lost, walking around doing
what is “expected.” Nothing good can come of
being oblivious. It just leads to regrets later in
life.
In the end, you only completely have yourself.
Your life, your decisions, are your own. In a
life that only comes around once, there isn’t a
moment to waste being what you’re not.
—By Amanda Quirenes
67
Class
ESOL
Teacher
Victor Edrosolan
My Friend’s Wedding
My best friend is planning to get married next
month, and when she told me that wonderful
notice, I feel so happy and sad.
She is a great, reliable, friendly and helpful
person, I could say many good things to
describe to her.
However, I’m sad too because of the distance,
I mean that she lives in Mexico and I’m in the
U.S. It’s difficult for me to travel next month.
I wish that God bless her new life when she gets
married and Thanks God ‘I have a great friend.’
—By Nancy M. Adame ( from Mexico)
Why I Love This Class
I’m a student in the morning ESL class at
Literacy Partners. My class starts at 9:30AM
but, I usually arrive at 9:15 or 9:10 because I
don’t want to move to another seat because of
my friends who talk with me in English when
we have a break. Sometimes we talk about
our children, our friends, our housewife’s life
and our beloved husbands. Sometimes we
tease each other and argue with each other.
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Sometimes we bring some fruits or snacks
and cakes to class to share with each other
and our teacher Victor makes coffee for us
during the break. Some volunteers also bring
delicious foods to eat while we are happily
talking. We don’t pay for the coffee, it’s free!
We don’t pay any money for studying here
either. But, we have to pay attention while Mr.
Victor is teaching the lessons and we have to
respect the teacher, as well as our classmates
and volunteers. We also can’t hesitate to make
sentences on the board even if they are right or
wrong. That means we don’t want to lose any
good opportunity to learn English. Mr. Victor
teaches us English very well along with general
knowledge. Every day we do a dialogue in class
which supports our real life communication.
One morning I saw a man doing something in
the office kitchen when I went in there soon
after I arrived in class. As he heard my steps,
he turned to me and greeted me nicely. I also
greeted him back. He asked me some questions
while I was drinking the water. Actually I had
never seen him before at school. He looked
handsome so I was a little surprised and felt
curious about how he was but, I didn’t ask him
that question. Then I answered his questions
slowly because I didn’t want to make a wrong
impression in front of this stranger. At that time
I believed that my conversation was so cool
even though he was not known to me. When
he heard one of my answers he wasn’t surprised
because he already knew about my country and
our heroine. He also knew about my country’s
current situation. Those answers shocked
me because I was impressed with his general
knowledge. I also felt good knowing that he was
interested in my country. He gave me some fruit
while we were talking. Eventually he told me
who he was and that he was the new Director of
Literacy Partners. He treated me not only nicely
and was friendly but, also encouraged me to talk
with him directly.
Thanks Mr.
I’d love to say thank you to my teacher Victor
and all of the volunteers for their amazing
teaching methods, their devotion, their time
and their patience. Also I have realized that if I
had not studied in this class, I would not have
had such a good opportunity to write this letter.
That’s why I love this class and I will try to study
here continuously as much as I can. Thank you!
—By Htwe Aung (from Burma)
My Class is Generous
Last year, Hurricane Sandy destroyed many
houses in New York City. There are many
people with no houses. Some people lost
everything. Some people lost family members
and we were very sad. My classmates and my
teachers gave old clothes and some money
for the victims of this hurricane. We asked
our classmates if they know somebody who
needs help and we gave some clothes to them.
We also gave donation for the victims of the
earthquake in Haiti, the tsunami in Japan and
now Hurricane Sandy. I like this. It’s good my
teacher does this with us. I think it’s very good
to help other people that need help.
—By Aracely Chavez (from El Salvador)
Amazing Berber
Tradition Before and After
Child Birth
There is an amazing tradition in my country
(Algeria) for pregnant women. A few months
before the baby was born, everybody in the
village treats the mother very well. The people
in the community help the mother do things
in the house and make her feel comfortable
before the baby is born. After the baby was
born, the community prepares for a big party
the week after to celebrate. This is also for
everybody to see the baby. In this time, the
baby is also showered with salt and olive oil so
the baby will grow up healthy and strong. The
family also cook all the cows for this big party.
Everybody dances and wishes the family and
the baby good life.
—By Amirouche Chennit (from Algeria)
69
My Hobby
Thank You, Literacy Partners
I am a resident of New York City. Manhattan
is very important for me to live. I need to go
to Literacy Partners, Inc. because I have to
improve my English. In the future I could find
the better job soon.
In 2012 I decided to move from Romania to
the United States. The reason was that my wife
lives here and the distance between us was so
painful. I left behind everything in Romania:
my family, friends and my favorite places.
When I came here my wife tried to make
me comfortable, but my English was a real
hinder to my integration. Therefore, I started
to look for an English course and I found an
interesting program, Literacy Partners. I was
wholeheartedly welcomed by my professor,
Victor who introduced me to my colleagues
and in a short time my fear about speaking,
reading and writing in English disappeared.
I learn everything in here. I believe I can
be flexible to do my job, be honest to my
supervisor and teacher and volunteer. I like the
people who is respect me.
I love my family, hats and pets. They make
me feel comfortable and happy. It’s my good
hobbies. I enjoy the special uniforms. That’s
my favorite things.
—By Alessandro Engler (from Taiwan)
I study English as a Second Language at
Literacy Partners where I have found an
outstanding teacher and volunteers that help
me to get better in my Pronunciation and
Grammar. I also have met my classmates who
are from around the globe. I learned a lot from
them too, like the culture of the countries
which I really enjoy knowing. Our teacher
Victor always corrects us when we make
mistakes as our volunteers do too.
Every volunteer that we have is unique and
very helpful. They have their way to teach that
we like and appreciated because they dedicate
their free time to come and help us to get
better with our goal that is to learn English.
—By Alex Espinoza (from Argentina)
70
Furthermore, I found here nice people, real
friends. We go to soccer games, to dinners; we
met each others’ spouses and kept in touch
even after finishing the Literacy Partners
class. Our professor, Victor and the volunteer
teachers encourage us to develop social
relationships by organizing Thanksgiving
parties at their houses, as well as outdoor
lunches. This way, our English improves in the
most natural environment.
Thanks to Literacy Partners I am now able to
go to Nassau Community College and have a
career goal, such as Physical Therapy. I am still
returning to Literacy Partners class with great
pleasure and I always feel welcomed here during
my college recess. Once a Literacy partners
student, always a Literacy Partners student.
—By Dragos Filip (from Romania)
Meeting Patricia Cornwell
Patricia Cornwell is a famous American writer.
She was born in 1956. Most of her books are
crime fiction. She is widely known for writing
a popular series of novels featuring the heroine
Dr. Kay Scarpetta, a medical examiner. Her
books have sold more than 100 million copies.
This Wednesday (May 1, 2013) at about
12:00 Patricia Cornwell and her group—one
photographer and three bodyguards came to
our English class. We had a wonderful day.
Today the classroom was packed with more
than 20 students. Victor had counted many
times how many of us would be going to the
class on today. We wanted to show our respects
to him as he is a wonderful teacher so all of
us arranged time for the class, even students
from the afternoon class came in the morning
class. I think it was very worthwhile coming
today. For me it proved to be very valuable
and a big profit. She said we should learn to
see everything with our own eyes. I am lucky I
could see a famous writer with my own eyes. It
was a special and new experience for me.
Some of my classmates asked her questions. She
answered all the questions politely and clearly.
Sometimes she gave us good advice and shared
her feelings and her ideas. We exchanged our
views and I asked a few questions.
My first question was: Last night I went on the
internet to research some information about
you. It said you were a medical student. In
my country some good writers were medical
students. Why is it that medical students
become good writers or famous writers, like
you? She said she was not a medical student,
but she did some research on medical issues
for many years. She did not go to any medical
college. To be honest, I was a little disappointed
with her answer. I got the wrong information.
My second question was: Which of your books
is the best one for us to read? She said the first
book of hers was the best one for us. But I missed
the name of the book. I told myself: “Do not be
bothered by missing the name of the book. You
can ask Robin on Friday about it.” Lucky today
Victor told us that the book is “Post Mortems.”
My third question was: What do you usually do
after finishing a book? She said she is going to
do research about another book in her brain. I
think she is not a common person. An ordinary
person would take a rest then go on to the next
step. I can not imagine how she does it?
My fourth question was not from me. It was
given by the photographer. He whispered in
my left ear: “What does a normal Friday look
like?” First I did not understand him. Then he
repeated it again. I got it then and I asked the
question. At that moment I felt like a parrot.
Speaking frankly, I did not like this question
because it was not from me. But after a few
seconds I glanced at him and I thought he
was a nice man. He just wanted to make the
conversation funnier. I thought at that second
I almost was falling in love with the tall and
handsome photographer and I also wondered
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why he only picked me? Maybe he had a
special feeling about me?
My last question was: Sometimes I write a little
thing about what happened around me. When
I am touched and moved I usually cry. Do you
cry when you are touched by your own story
that you are writing? She said it was a massive
question. Crying is a good way to let off your
bad or sad feelings about something. Actually
she said that she does when she gets frustrated
while writing a book.
All of us took a picture with her, one by one.
She signed her name for all who asked her.
She is so nice and beautiful that I thought she
looked younger than her age. She broughs us a
lot of fun.
—By Linda Ho (from China)
Jury Duty
This year, I went to jury duty for the first time.
I was nervous in the beginning but my teachers
say just relax and listen carefully. That’s what I
did. I listen carefully and I understood many
things. If I don’t understand, I asked them to
repeat. I stayed for three days and then I came
back to class. I was happy to do it. I was afraid
my English will not be good but it was okay.
Thank you to my teacher and my English class.
—By Kuniko Itakura-Silverstein
(from Japan)
My Favorite Relative
My third cousin Tan which is from my
father’s side. He is 6 feet tall with dark brown
complexion, an attractive smile and strong. He
is generous, kind and care giving.
In January, he invited all of the family members
to the reunion dinner at his house. This is the
time of the new year where all of our relatives
meet. Each one of the family would bring a dish
provide to the dinner. Cousin Tan caters food as
well he cooked himself.
At the dinner table there are variety of food. The
aroma of food, desserts, sweets and drinks are
well organized. The house was decorated and
balloons were hung in every corner. Music was
loud as well as all relatives meet and talk to each
other. Some of the relatives I hadn’t seen them
before. It is good to know our relatives. Food is
served and each of us are having a good time.
However, this is a big feast I ever saw in my life.
Counsin Tan was well dressed with suits and
his wife and children, too. They entertained the
relative with hugs and warm welcome greeting.
Everyone is with happy mood to see a crowd
of family. Cousin Tan give a short speech. He
mention no matter what situation get the touch
of relatives and not to forget cousins.
At the end of the day, dinner was over. Every
family member went home happy. Furthermore,
it was an enormous reunion family dinner.
Cousin Tan is really thoughtful and care to
reunite family value with love and generosity. I’m
proud of cousin Tan. He is my guiding angel.
—By Ooiyik Kee (from Malaysia)
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Hello. My name is Fatoumata. I am from West
Africa in Burkina Faso. I would like to say
thank you to my teacher Mr. Victor. I am very
happy in my ESL class. I am glad my teacher
is friendly. I would also like to thank the
volunteers in my class.
—By Fatoumata Ouedraogo
(from Burkina Faso)
This is My Time
I started a family when I was very young
and I became busy with my children. It was
not easy with many problems. My husband
and I helped each other to help our children
grow up. Now, they are all in school. One is
in college and I work full-time and I go to
school too. Life is not easy because I don’t have
enough time to spend with my family. But
I think it’s okay. After my ESL class, I want
to go to GED class, pass my GED and go
to college. I want to get a college degree and
then find a better job. I think I can do it now
because my children are big. It’s still going
to be hard but I’m going to do it. With the
help of my teachers here at Literacy Partners,
I know I can do it because this is my time for
myself. My time is now.
—By Damaris Scott (from Panama)
Thank You Literacy Partners
The first time that I started studying at
Literacy Partners, I felt a bit nervous because
I think I don’t know who I am going to meet
and where are they come from and what kind
of people they are. But after I got in class my
feeling and my mind was changing every body
were friendly and welcoming. Especially my
teacher Mr. Victor he is a very good teacher
and honest that I have ever had. He’s very
funny and always made the students happy
and enjoyed to study with him. He always
gives good advices to me and my classmates.
And then he always has delicious coffee for
every body when we have break, some of
my classmates usually bring some fruits,
cookies, and the different kind of food from
their country to class. We usually have party
together in a big holiday or vacation. By the
way we always have four volunteers in the
morning and four volunteer in the afternoon.
They’re the wonderful people very nice helpful
honest and friendly. They’re always corrected
all the mistakes that we have writing reading
and talking. They teach us about the society
in New York City, the international history
the environment in the city and the problem
that happen around us. They also teach us
how to become a good people and do the
right way and the right thing. Anyway I want
to say thanks to my classmates that always
love me like me and help me to practice
speaking English every day they make me feel
comfortable like family. Finally the time have
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limited, so I have to end my writing but lastly
I want to say thank you to Literacy Partners for
giving me a chance to improve my English and
meet a nice teacher, nice volunteers and nice
classmates. I am really happy to have you guys
in my life. Thank you I love you all.
—By Sopheavattey Virak (from
Cambodia)
Winning the Writing Contest
Brought Me “PRIDE”
My name is Thida L. Virak, I am from
Cambodia and I study ESL at Literacy Partners.
One day, my teacher, Mr. Victor asked me
to join the writing contest. It was a writing
contest which is held at Literacy Partners and
the topic was about WHAT DOES FAMILY
MEAN TO YOU! I decided to join and started
to write pre-composition about one week then
I started to write the real one and submitted
to my teacher before the deadline. It was hard
to answer that question, because I had many
answers in my mind and couldn’t choose one.
Obviously, people have more than one meaning
of FAMILY but I have only two meaning; and
the first one is Father and Mother, I Love You!
But when I read over and over the first prewriting, the other idea popped up in my mind.
I was thinking about the people who walk
into my life and who are close to me, so there
weren’t only my parents who are my family
but everybody, my parents, my grandparents,
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my siblings, my relatives, my professors, my
best friends, all together are a huge community
who bring love and happiness to me. I try
to put down all the meaning together and
finally I got the answer. It’s FAMILY means a
community full of love and happiness. They are
my grandparents, my parents, my sisters, my
professors, my best friends, and all the people
who are really close to me. We always share
the good time and also the bad times together.
They also help me solve my problems, give me
advice and direct me to the right way no matter
what the situation is. They never leave me
alone, they always stay by my side, raise me up
and encourage me. They are a part of my life,
and I can trust them. This is the reason that
I mean family as a loving community where
people share love and happiness.
After I submitted it, I never heard anything
from my teacher for a long while; so I thought
my composition wasn’t good enough to win.
But one day, when I walked to the class my
teacher announced that I won the composition
contest among the other writers. It did almost
tear me down, my teacher, my volunteer and
my classmates cheered me up with their happy,
their smiles and their admiration. They gave
me warm hugs and also took a picture of me
with my certificate and award too. And one
word I learned from them was “your parents
must be proud of you,” it made me happy and
I felt more confident. Then I went back home,
I told my parents that I won the composition
contest; they were proud of me and gave me an
advice. They said “I’m glad that you won the
award but don’t be overwhelm and keep doing
your great job. I know you can do it.” From
that day on, I made a commitment to myself
to keep doing that great job and make it alive.
—By Thida L. Virak (from Cambodia)
Literacy Partners and Me
I’m hopping on the memory journey when I
first arrived in New York as a new immigrant
from the Orient to the Big Apple. Everything
was new and interesting to me. But after
awhile, I felt depressed and isolated because
sometimes I had problems talking to people
and they didn’t understand what I wanted.
Although I had learned some English in my
country, it was not enough if I want to live
and find a good job here. Therefore, I tried
to search for some English courses online
assiduously and tried to attend some ESL
programs but, felt discouraged as the courses
were either expensive or not much help.
However, my life changed when I found
Literacy Partners.
Because the study of English in my country
focused on reading and writing, my speaking
and listening skills were comparatively weak.
At the beginning of class, I was self-conscious
and embarrassed when the teacher asked me
to read the paragraphs. I was also afraid to talk
to people. The teacher and volunteer teachers
always encouraged us to open our minds to
this new environment and not be shy when
talking to people. In the class, teachers taught
us new vocabulary, dialogues, grammar,
American culture etc., we even had activities
sometimes. The things the teachers taught
us were very useful and helpful in involving
us in this new surrounding. Moreover, every
time we have questions or problems, they are
always there to instruct us patiently until we
understand and solve our problems.
Literacy Partners helped me a lot and I’ll even
describe my personal experience as an example.
I was looking for a job at Sears as a cashier and
had an appointment for a job interview. It was
a big challenge for me because I had never had
a formal interview before. I really wanted this
opportunity but, didn’t know how to prepare
for the interview. I was counseled by a teacher
and the volunteer teachers and they helped me
by simulating an interview and gave me a lot
of advice. As the case stands, I passed my job
interview successfully and got the job.
On the whole, I learned a lot when I was
studying at Literacy Partners. Now I feel
confident and comfortable when I talk to
people and I have a better job. I even fell in
love with the Big Apple again. All I want to
say is “thanks to everyone at Literacy Partners,
thanks for your contribution and kindness. It
was helped me a lot and I really appreciate it.”
—By Raymond Yang (from Thailand)
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Class
ESOL
Teacher
Eduardo Go
I am Rehab Alghazali from Yemen. I came to
the United States 8 months ago, I came with my
mother and my sister and my brother to meet
my father, we didn’t see him for 3 years. He
works at the embassy of Yemen in South Africa
and he was not able to come to Yemen because
of the problems that happened recently.
I like the system of everything here as the
transportation and the traffic and the learning at
any age and I like the law too. I like everything
almost except the weather and the apartments.
The weather is very cold in the winter time
and I think it is very hot in summer. Also the
apartment is narrow and expensive.
In the beginning I didn’t like to live in New
York because I didn’t have friends and I stayed
at home all day, I didn’t know what to do.
When I wanted to go outside I couldn’t go
by myself, I didn’t know where I was going, I
didn’t know the places and how to speak with
others, I felt depressed, my husband was at his
work 12 hours daily. So I thought to go back
to CA, but I couldn’t leave my husband.
Then I decided to learn English.
Now everything has a changed for the better,
that’s because of my school. It’s made me feel
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like I am among my family. We have a nice
teacher. I like him so much and I like Andea
and Miss Evans and Marcos.
All of them like to help the students and I like
my friends in my class.
Now I like to live in New York. I don’t like
to move at any place. This school is a golden
opportunity for me and for all the students.
—By Rehab Alghazali
Living in New York
I am Yuliany Arrendell. I was born in Santo
Domingo, Dominican Republic. Before I came
to New York my parents immigrated here a long
time ago so one part of my heart was very happy
because I moved to the United States. Also I
came in a good season for me (spring) and I live
with my family and I have some relatives living in
this city, the first three months in the USA were
very strange, hard and completely different from
where i came. It was like starting again a new life.
I never thought that learning English could be
so difficult and confusing for me. I remember
the first day of English class, since I live in
Brooklyn it’s too far from English school and
I take the train daily, I did not know that
the train can change the map route and skip
the stops like they did this day, I just heard
something in English by the speakers however
I couldn’t understand the advice and of course
I got lost on my way to school and like two or
three times more.
Even though I do not speak English perfect yet
now I can understand most of the advice and
many others things.
Living in New York hasn’t been easy especially
when you don’t know English but like
everything it has a good side there,
• New York is a beautiful and big city
• There are a lot of people from
different places or countries
• It doesn’t matter where you came
from, everybody has rights and
responsibilities
• There are a good public
transportation
• Some kind of food from other
cultures
• Free speech
• freedom of religion and many others
things
To Conclude if God Wants I hope to begin
college soon and know English like a second
language .
—By Yuliany Arrendell
Funny Short Story
In my country, Ethiopia everybody shares with
everybody else, but in 2010 I took a class at
the International Center in New York. I had a
shock. I was in the cafeteria. I had just started
my lunch. One student asked if he could sit
next to me. I said, “ok” I offered to share my
lunch with him. Then he ate my whole lunch!!
—By Roman Asmerom
I came to the U.S.A. in 2005. I didn’t know
anything about this country. I didn’t speak
English. I came because my husband decided
to come to U.S.A. So I faced a lot of problems
such as jobs, money, communication with others.
After three years my brother and his wife came. I
started to work also I start to have friends also to
know everything little by little everything about
this country and things are getting well with me.
—By Eman Ayad
My Journey to the United States
I came to the United States from Guinea
(Conakry) in May 2012. I came by airplane to
New York. It was a beautiful day, sunshine but a
little cold. When I arrived at the airport I found
my family. They were waiting for me outside.
Then I went to take my paper, the people were
talking English. It was so complicated for me
because I didn’t know anything that they were
talking so I took a deep breath and I went to the
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parking where my family was waiting for me and
we hugged each other and then we got inside the
car. My uncle was driving. So on our way home
I saw the building it was so amazing. Suddenly
my son said “mom look the bridge” and I said
“oh wow it like I am in the New York!” We all
laughed. Finally we arrived home and I found
that they cooked a lot of food for me like
chicken, plantain, meat. And I went to take a
shower when I came back my family from here
called to welcome me. When we finished talking
on the phone we started eating with my family
it was a beautiful time ever in my life. After
eating I went to sleep because I was tired. And
in the morning everybody in Africa called me.
I told them that the weather in Africa and here
is not the same and Africa is more hot and here
is colder. However I started to adapt to the new
land. Finally now I started to know English too.
—By Haby Balde
I came to the United States from Honduras on
9/9/2000 on a plane and landed at JFK airport.
My reason for leaving my country was due to
a severe hurricane that caused many loses of all
types. When I arrived in New York, everything
was different and I felt disoriented I said to
myself My God what am I doing here? But
with the presence of my family and friends, I
was able to move forward, I had enrolled in
school however I only lasted for one month. I
did not understand my teacher, and I decided
to look for work. I began to dedicate myself to
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my job and now that I am no longer working I
understand the importance of learning English.
I have enrolled in English classes once again for
3 hours a day with my teacher Eduardo Go who
is an excellent teacher.
—By Feliciana Bernardez
I am Elene Delices, I was born in Haiti. I lived
there for a while and after a few years I moved
to New York on October 16, 2012. When I
first came it was cool but after when I started
to go to school and work that has changed.
When I came here I couldn’t speak English.
The first time I went to work I was lost because
my work was so far from house. I had to take
a bus and the train to get there. The first day
I was in a hurry. I rode the bus to the place
where I supposed to get off to get the train. I
stood in front the door. I was ready to get off.
I looked at the driver and smiled. He smiled
back but he didn’t stop he kept on going. He
didn’t stop at the next stop either. I was upset.
I was sure I would be late for my train.
At the third stop other passengers got off and
I got off with them. I walked all the way back
to the train station. The train had already left, i
was very frustrated. Later I learned that the bus
has a special rope you can pull to give a signal
to the driver that you want to get off. Then he
will stop the bus. And I don’t like the weather
in New York. It’s crazy. I really miss my
country, my friends, everything in my country.
Now I am an English student I learn I know
what to do when I go somewhere.
In life you have to get a persistence to success.
—By Elene Delices
I’m Max Caleb DELICES, I was born in Haiti
and later I moved to NEW YORK on October
16 2012. My arriving in the UNITED
STATES was not a big deal for me because I
knew already what was waiting for me because
earlier in the past years I used to spend time
here in NEW YORK. Like some other people
who’ve immigrated to NEW YORK, it was a
little difficult for me to be comfortable here
with the weather and some other things that
I did not like here, like staying home every
day for the couple months. That was boring a
lot because I had nothing to do just watching
TV, reading some books and cleaning. A few
months after when I started school that was
a great thing for me for many reasons such as
learn English; take a test so I can go to college
and having a nice future with great plans and
a good career like a lot of people have already.
In my class I’ve learned a lot from the teacher
and many students that I talk to. Learning
English is a great experience for me by having a
good teacher and some cool friends that make
me laugh sometimes so I have enjoyed being
in class every day I have to come in school.
Also I have some stuff that I like about the
city like, enjoying the parks by playing basket
ball, soccer and a few other games. I enjoy
the movies with my family. I like U.S.A. also
because they give people a lot of opportunities,
I appreciate that almost everything is not that
hard to get, and everyone has the freedom
of speech. I think every place or everywhere
should be like here, where everyone is living
the life positively. That was about my life in the
UNITED STATES…
—By Max Caleb Delices
Hi my name is Gustavo. I came from Mexico,
I live in Jackson Heights Queens. I have 23
years living in New York U.S.A.
I came to this country in search of what my
country could not give me “WORK” I found
it and help me to be economical and as a
person, decent, a safe work, what I wanted in
my country and did not find.
To reach this country I learned that loneliness
and being away from friends and family is
very hard, but with time living in New York is
the best thing that happened to me and most
importantly that in time I have not lost my
custom or forgotten my roots, are stronger
every day but I would not trade this city for
anything. Here I have what I want and when
I want, with hot or cold New York is my
home now, “Porque como New York solo lo
encontraras en New York.”
—By Gustavino Ramirez
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Today is Friday May 12, 2013.
When I first came to New York I was very
surprised to see that the trees had no leaves. I
came here in February. It was very cold and the
trees were naked.
When I saw snow the first time it looked beautiful
on the first day. After few days the snow was so
dirty that you didn’t want to open your eyes to
look at it. It is not beautiful to see anymore.
—By Amoin Mana-Lou
Hello my name is Cecilia Rubi Dominguez.
My friends and family call me Rubi.
My story is very interesting but very long.
So I will tell you part of my life. I was born
in Dominican Republic. My family moved
to Puerto Rico where I grew up and had my
two loves of my life, my children Angel and
Angelica. Two years ago I met my husband
who lives in my beautiful beautiful Quisquella
(DR). We hope to have his first child.
I’m here for two years in the United States
with many plans, including setting up my
apartment, my citizenship, changing my
Puerto Rico nursing license for New York and
applying for my husband to come here.
I have tried other English classes and finally
now I have an excellent teacher, who gives me
confidence.
I feel I have three nationalities: Dominican,
Puerto Rico, and American. I am proud of my
roots.
I have beautiful family and friends, husband,
kids. God never leaves me alone and always
supports me.
I told you my story is very long. 30 years of my
life is not easy to reduce it in three paragraphs,
but you know, Love, Peace, happiness, sadness,
strength, fall and I rise again.
What happens in the future I don’t know, and
what sustains me is my children, my husband
and my heavenly father.
—By Cecilia Rubi Dominguez
My name is Maria Rivera.
1) My teacher has patience, for every
student in the class room
2) Everyone in the class room get
along. And that’s why I don’t wanna
leave my school.
—By Maria Rivera
I know it will happen. I have many
opportunities here.
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Hello! My name is Esther. I got to New York
on August 31, 2011. I came here for my
husband’s work, our two children and I. At
this time some things have changed. My son
did not want to study here and returned to
Spain. I am happy in this city. I’m really the
happiest of my family, they do not like it here.
I have a problem with the language because I
always speak Spanish, my friends are Spanish
and speak Spanish at home but I hope to go
slowly learning. I have not really any hurry.
I’m enjoying it much. I like the school and my
teacher and all of you. For me to live here and
be able to share with you is a pleasure to enjoy
every day. I miss my country and my people
but you forgot a little every day.
Thank you.
—By Esther Ramos
I came to the United States of America in 2008
to progress and be a professional person because
when I would be in Puerto Rico a lot of things
happened to my families. A drunk driver hit
my mother and she died. After that my two
brothers got killed by a drug dealer. After that
the war between drug dealers began and my two
nephews and 3 cousins lost their lives too. That’s
the reason why I came here. But that person
who killed my brothers they came to the same
medicine. They got killed too. In four years I
learned enough English, but I need more to be
prepared for my goal. I laugh because when I be
with different people they are confused. They
think I come from Africa, Dominican Republic,
Honduras, different places, but not Puerto Rico.
This is my history. That is the reason I had to
separate from my suffering to be happy.
—By Tito Santos
There are many things I like about living in
New York City. I like the opportunities for
jobs. I like the easy transportation around
the city. The police do a good job. New York
City is very clean. I like to go to RED BULLS
games. I like the people who work in the
immigration service. I like studying English
with my teachers.
—By Nvaly Traore
Changes In My Life
I came to the United States two years ago. I
moved to New York because I fell in love with
a person who has his life here. He proposed to
get married and come here because the United
States has a lot of opportunities for both and
the future for our family.
Now I am here but it was so difficult to
assimilate to my new life because New York
City is different from my country in many
things, weather, language, food, culture, people
and everything else.
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The first month I felt depressed because I didn’t
have here my family, friends, good job, big
house, church, pet, etc. but the bad days are
gone. I took the opportunity to know New York
City and I can say that it is a beautiful city, it
has many museums, theatres, parks, restaurants,
stores, islands, many things to enjoy in each
season; I don’t like winter however I loved to
play with the snow in central park. Another
favorite activity in winter time is ice skating; I
never did before I came here but I love it.
I know it is difficult to live here if you don’t
speak English very well, many times I feel
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intimidated because it is hard to communicate
or understand someone but I think the
important thing is not to give up and try and
try. We are here and we have the opportunities
in our hands; just us can make the difference
in our life, just have to be focused in our goals.
Don’t worry if you think that your English is
not good, every day we will learn differences
things and improve our English. If you are here
in the school, you are in the correct path to
achieve your dreams. Remember we can do all
things through Christ who strengthen us.
—By Grethel Suazo
Class
ESOL/Family Literacy
Teacher
Roy Villanueva
My son ‘s name is Samuel. He is tall and
young. He has black hair and black eyes. He
likes music and he likes to read. He is very
smart and he likes to go to school.
—By Mary Achiaa
My daughter’s name is Eman. She is five years
old. She is in kindergarten. She plays. She is
smart. She is beautiful. My daughter is happy.
—By Arwa Alrawhani
I was born and raised in Mexico. I lived with
my parents until I was twenty years old. I have
two brothers and three sisters. I am married. I
have lived in the United States of America for
ten years. I have one boy and two girls. I like
to cook and eat together with my family. In
my free time, I like to learn new things. My
favorite sport is soccer. I enjoy playing soccer
with my family.
—By Gloria Cortes
My name is Amy Diakite. I am from Bamako,
Mali. I have a big family. My life in my
country is very good. Our family in Mali and
in the USA has a very good education. I have
five children and we thank God for everything
in our life. I have three brothers and three
sisters. I came here with my husband. I like to
be good, read and write.
—By Amy Diakite
My name is Teresa. My family is big. I have six
siblings, four sisters and two brothers. Most
live in NJ. I have one sister in Texas. Only my
father lives in Mexico City. My husband and
my children have lived here in NYC for eleven
(11) years.
My daughter is eleven (11) years old. My older
son is eight (8) years old. My smallest child is
almost two (2) years old. We love New York
because New York has many opportunities for
my children and I am a good mother.
—By Teresa
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My name is Rosa Rivera. I have five sisters:
Lilia, Maria, Lourdes, and Lucia. I have two
brothers, Gerardo and Daniel. They are in
Mexico. I do not have siblings in the USA.
I have been married for fourteen years.
My husband’s name is Ariedy. He works in
Manhattan. I have four children. My oldest
child is Lizbeth. Lizbeth is a 7th grade student.
My son is ten years old. His name is Edwin
and he is in the 5th grade. My daughter,
Wendy, is eight years old and she is in 3rd
grade. My little daughter, Vianey, is two years
old. Vianey is always with me. I hope to visit
Mexico as it has been fourteen years since I
visited Mexico.
—By Rosa Rivera
My name is Benita Ramos. I am from
Mexico. My family lives in Mexico City. I
have one brother and two sisters. I live in
USA with my husband and three children,
two boys and one daughter.
—By Benita Ramos
My daughter’s name is Ashley Valenzuela. She
is seven years old. She is in second grade. She is
smart. She loves music. She dances. She sings.
She likes to play with her sister. My daughter
is very sweet. Her favorite character is Bell, the
Disney princess. She has many friends.
—By Mitxy Valle
My daughter’s name is Miriam. She is a very
good student in school.
—By Belqis
84

We`re GoinG Places - Literacy Partners

Transcription

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