International Institute of Rhode Island's mission is to enable all area residents, especially immigrants and refugees, to become self-reliant, invested participants in our communities, while fostering respect and understanding among all people. Read more
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December 22 , 2010

Adult Learners Say "Thank You"

Your Support Gives Immigrants and Refugees the Opportunity to Learn How to Read and Write

This year IIRI launched a special literacy class for English speaking immigrants and refugees who cannot read or write. Many of them tried to learn in traditional classes but were thwarted by their illiteracy. Last week, after three months of class, one of the students, Laymu Saturday, a Liberian refugee shared this letter at a Reading Recital at IIRI:

"Dear International Institute,

Thank you very much for your Support for me to know how to read and write. I am happy about it. Friends who are out there, please join me. It's never too late to learn. Thank about it. The more you learn, the better life you live. We can make a difference. Learning makes life easy. Education have no end. It's Important."

Please make a contribution today to help us keep immigrants and refugees learning, getting job skills, finding employment, becoming citizens and making our community at better place for everyone.

Happy Holidays and Thank You from Bill Shuey, Executive Director and all the Staff, Clients, and Students at IIRI.

Laymu's letter to IIRI

"It is hard to teach adults like me to read and write. "

Souleyman Diallo has been looking for a class to teach him to read and write since he came to RI from West Africa 9 year ago. He works the night shift at a milk processing plant and comes to class every morning for three hours before he goes home to rest. His employer would like to promote him, but he must first learn how to read and write.

"The Institute helped me become a U.S. citizen. Now you are helping me become a whole person. I do not have to ask for help all the time. I feel better about me."

Photos: Sonnie Kpangbai, IIRI Low Literacy Instructor