I really enjoyed working for Literacy for Life. It was a privilege to help my Elders and community learn how to read and write.
I remember being told by some of my people, especially Elders, how they didn’t have the same privilege as some students did with their learning.
Some were lucky to even be in a classroom.
To have the Campaign come, it gave my community and Elders a sign of hope, a second chance if you must.
For some students it was challenging, but they overcame those challenges and did very well.
I didn’t realise how important the Campaign was until we found out how many people really needed it.
I didn’t know that some of them had to go from one side of town to the other to get someone else to read their mail, how challenging it was to do their food shopping because they didn’t understand the labels.
But now the Campaign has sort of lifted the town a bit. A lot of students went and got jobs after the Campaign.
A few of them have got their license. And now some of the Elders can actually read their medication that they need to take and stuff like that, so it was really needed.
I benefited from it too.
Before Literacy for Life came to town, I was a stay at home mum. I applied for a job as a Facilitator, then in the second lot of the Literacy for Life Campaign, I applied to be the Coordinator, which was a bigger role.
I had to do the daily computer work, like report on how the Campaign was going etc., and do the daily pick up and drop off of students. Doing the food prep for the day, making sure everyone was getting the help and support.
I ended up applying for a job after Literacy for Life in the Collarenebri Central School. I managed to score a job as a SLSO (School Learning Support Officer), helping Year 11 and 12 with their assessments and stuff like that, seeing if anyone needed my help who was falling behind in their studies.
Then the following year, I took up the school canteen job, supplying children with daily meals.
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Also our local preschool kids would order food and I would drop off their lunches.
From there I went back to being an SLSO and now I am in kindergarten and Year 1, assisting the class teacher and students.
I’ve also applied for a second job. I work as a youth worker at our local youth centre in the afternoons, straight after school.
Then after work I go home to my four children.
I wanted to do a bit more, so I ended up going to uni in Sydney.
I attended uni for two years. I ended up finishing a Cert IV in Audiometry – so that’s around the ears.
I’ve managed to do a couple of jobs at the hospital. Looking in my Elders’ ears and seeing if they need further assistance with hearing impairment, hearing aids and maybe even a referral on to an ENT etc.
I’ve looked at now enrolling to do my Master’s. So that’ll be work with children as well.
After Literacy for Life, that lifted me as well, and made me push harder in life for my family.
Anything is possible if you set your mind to it.
I did it for my family. Not only that, I did it to show my kids they can look up to me.
They can say my Mum did it, so they can do it too.
I was a very shy person. And then working as a leader and support worker got me out of my shell. Gave me the confidence and push I actually needed in life.
Some assignments I did in uni were challenging. But I put my mind to it, because I’ve built the skills with being the Coordinator.
I sort of knew how to time frame my work and when to prioritise my children and then my assessments.
As I said, I started on the Campaign as a Facilitator and then I ended up taking on the Coordinator position. It was totally different.
I had to take on a lot more being a Coordinator, but I really enjoyed it.
I had to do reports on how the Campaign went and I had to try and get the people in, the ones who weren’t going. I had to see why they weren’t showing up. Did they need any help? Did they not like it?
I’ve used my experience in my other jobs now. It helps me communicate with the kids better.
My shyness was a big thing that changed for me, being very shy I didn’t know how to approach people when they needed help.
But after being in the Campaign, it’s sort of helped me build a better relationship with the community.
I didn’t have that before. I was a homebody.
Since the Campaign, I’ve got a lot more trust from the majority of the community now.
They trusted me with their learning and now I work with their children/grandchildren’s learning.
I think we need more of the Campaign. Hopefully later on down the track, we can get some more classes going in Collarenebri.
Kiesha Walford
Collarenebri Campaign staff member (2019-2020)
Since 2012, Literacy for Life Foundation has provided training and employment for over 100 local Aboriginal staff. Our supporters not only help to lift literacy, they also help create a ripple effect, generating ongoing positive change. Kiesha’s story is just one example.
Thank you!