The community of Ltyentye Apurte has come together to celebrate the achievement of the first Northern Territory graduates of Literacy for Life Foundation’s Aboriginal Adult Literacy Campaign.
Five students were honoured at the graduation ceremony, held in the community on November 27.
Literacy for Life Foundation Executive Director, Jack Beetson, says the achievement is just the beginning for the students and the Literacy Campaign.
“This is the first Campaign we have run in the NT and it has worked because the community has backed it. The students have improved their reading and writing and all five are already lined up to continue to build those skills in employment or further training. That is something everyone can be really proud of,” says Beetson.
“As more people learn about the Campaign we hope even more will participate. Learning to read and write is life-changing,” says Beetson.
“I want to make a special mention of all of the hard work that the students, our staff and the community has put into making the Campaign a success,” says Beetson.
Literacy for Life Foundation began work in Ltyentye Apurte earlier this year, with funding provided by the National Indigenous Australians Agency. A second intake of students will begin classes in early 2020.
The Campaign is supported locally by Mpwelarre Health Services, Atyenhenge Aboriginal Corporation, Ltyentye Apurte Catholic School and Catholic Care NT.
Literacy for Life Foundation estimates between 40-70% of Aboriginal adults have low English language literacy. So far, the organisation has delivered Literacy Campaigns in 11 communities, graduated almost 250 students and generated employment opportunities and training for more than 40 local Aboriginal staff.
