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From tutor Patty Gibbs:
When I was in the third grade, my mom told me about a newspaper article. She’d read about a Chinese family who had just immigrated to Florida. She said they couldn’t speak or read English. Soon after arriving in Florida, the entire family went to the grocery store. Not wanting to ask for help, they shopped by looking at the pictures on the boxes and cans. They bought a large container with a picture of nicely browned, fried chicken on the front.. When they opened it at home, they found white, greasy stuff. They’d purchased a can of Crisco.
My little girl heart was devastated. I pictured the excited family: hungry kids jumping up and down; the dad hoping for an nice meal; and the mother getting out the skillet to warm the chicken. I heard the rumble of their empty tummies. Instead of the expected wholesome, fried chicken dinner, they got grease. I tasted their disappointment and frustration. I remember saying to my mom that I would have helped them read the labels. For years after when grocery shopping with my mom, I tuned in my ear for foreign language spoken by shoppers. I swore that I would not let unsuspecting families make the same mistake. I had to help.
And now I can.
As a literacy
volunteer, I can do better than just read for someone. I
can teach them to read, which in turn, allows them to be
independent members of our society.
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| At the LVCC orientation meeting, we were asked to think about the people who cannot fill out necessary forms at doctors’ or employment offices, figure out bus schedules, dial telephones, or go to the grocery stores.I immediately thought about my Floridian Chinese family and whispered to my husband, "sign me up!"
Volunteering is like walking through the grocery store and listening for a different language. Only this time, I really can help. |
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