Literacy Council of Garland County

Elena Tanjeras

This is the story of a young Russian lady, Elena Zhukova Tenjeras, coming to America. She arrived in the United States in February 2005. Being a single mother at 40 with one sixteen year-old son, Elena knew she must learn the English language very quickly. She arrived at the Literacy Council of Garland County (LCGC) on March 23, 2005, asking for help. As most of our immigrants coming to literacy, Elena was very educated in Russia. She had completed four years of college in her native land. She worked for Social Security offices before leaving for America. 

Even though Elena was educated in Russia, she was unable to fully communicate with her evaluator. She possesses so much talent and can be a great addition to our community if only she could speak and understand English. She has a strong desire to learn English and learn quickly. She and her tutor, Fred DeCastro, immediately began work and with heads together for two hours per session, Elena began to come alive. 

Elena’s story continues as she is now married. Her husband supports her desire to learn English and brings her to her sessions. At first our little flower was very shy and hesitated to answer questions. Now she begins to talk as soon as she arrives. Elena later put in an application to work at the Cracker Barrel in town and was quickly promoted to hostess, which requires her to speak to her customers often. Elena was hungry for more and more of America—she wanted to drive. She now has her driver’s license. Why did she want to drive? Elena is now enrolled in the local two-year college taking accounting courses. So, you see our shy little flower is now in a beautiful bloom. She works, attends college and never misses her scheduled tutoring sessions. 

After an hour with her tutor they take a short break and yes, we all meet and have a cup of coffee and listen to her. She is so full of stories and exciting new things going on in her life. We all have made a new friend and she has given us so much. 

Thank you Elena for your courage and determination to overcome the language barrier to become the beautiful person you were meant to be. 

Patsy Fields

Patsy’s life began to change on November 10, 2004 when she made the commitment to herself to learn to read. Her family moved a lot during her young years and she was unable to finish school, dropping out in the seventh grade in order to go to work to help with the family finances. Before dropping out, Patsy had to repeat several grades: second, fifth and seventh. She was never placed in Special Education and special help or tutoring was never offered to her during this time. 

When Patsy came to the council she was 53 years old. She married at a young age and had two children, now 34 and 35. She has four grandchildren and she stated to us that is the number one reason she knew she had to change her life; she wanted to read to her grandchildren and offer help to them with their school assignments and projects. 

Employment has been hard for Patsy. Since her reading is so limited, most positions were not available to her. She currently works at a local hospital in housekeeping and her husband is employed with the city sanitation department. Patsy is working very hard and plans on getting her GED. 

Patsy is so much fun, and she and her tutor Gail Frost became great friends very quickly. Of course, that is not hard to do as Patsy is very outgoing and friendly. She is funny but yet expresses concern for anyone needing help. We look forward to Thursday with Pasty and her tutor at the Literacy Council of Garland County (LCGC). We are all happy by the time they leave. When they take a break during the session we all meet around the coffee pot and share some happy events that have happened to us since we last met. 

Patsy is finishing Book 3. She has met so many of her goals and is looking forward to her future, something she has never really done before. During our Student/Tutor Recognition Banquet last year in June, four students read a statement they wrote themselves to the audience. Patsy was one of the students; she was very nervous because she had never before spoken before a group. With her tutor by her side, she did a wonderful job. 

Patsy is truly becoming a whole person, with confidence in herself and in her ability to make decisions, plus being there for her grandchildren. Our dear Patsy is a true blessing to all of us, as she gives us laughter and sunshine each time she comes in the door. I look forward to watching her grow and seeing her eyes light up each time she accomplishes another task. 

Patsy is breaking the cycle of “illiteracy breeds illiteracy.” She makes it all worth while. 

Debra Bonn

I would like to share about one of my Basic Literacy Students, Debra Bonn.  Although she has spent time with two other tutors in our Council before me, she and I developed a friendship the moment she came in to be evaluated.  This student was born with a hearing defect and was unable to hear.  In 1995 she had surgery and can now hear with her right ear.  She came to our Council in 2007 and stated that she wanted to learn to read so that she could read the Bible.  While with LCGC she has learned to write checks and pay her own bills.  Before this, she would bring her bills to class with her and have us help her do this chore.  This student has obtained a job since she has been my student.  Although she moved into a HUD rental at the end of 2007, she has begun the legwork process to obtain her own house through Habitat for Humanity.  This person has also expressed that her adult daughter would like to become a student.  We are currently working with the student to set up a time for the daughter to come in and be evaluated.  Debra has even accompanied our Director, Pat McClaran, to a couple of speaking engagements to share the need that exists for adults to learn to read.

William Guelache

My student’s name is William Guelache.  He was born and raised in Cameroon, a small country on the west coast of Africa.  Because Cameroon was under French rule for many years, French is the native language.  He was schooled in Cameroon and eventually received a college degree in electrical engineering.

William came to the USA about two years ago. Soon after arriving in Hot Springs, he met and married a local girl.  He has a brother and sister who both live in Arkansas.

I have been William’s tutor for about a year.  When he came to us, he could speak very little English, but was very eager to learn.  I knew he would be a quick study as he not only speaks French, but is fluent in Japanese and Spanish.  I currently tutor him four hours a week. He has a charming personality and a willingness to perform any tasks assigned to him.  At his rate of progression, he will probably graduate sometime this year.