Redlands Literacy Students Write About Their Pandemic Experiences
In New Anthology
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| Our Stories, Pandemic Reflections |
Redlands Daily Facts: 2.05.2021 by Diane Shimota, Adult Literacy Coord: A.K. Smiley Library
The Redlands Adult Literacy Program
recently published “Our Stories, A Collection of Writings, Volume 3,” which
includes writings from adult learners enrolled in the Redlands Adult Literacy
Program. Over 40 adult learners and tutors contributed written works for the
anthology. These works focused on the learners’ journeys to literacy, personal
reflections, family and friends, memories and adventures, and reflections about
books the learners had read. This year, a special chapter entitled “Pandemic
Reflections” was added to the anthology providing an opportunity for authors to
share the impact that the pandemic has had on their lives.
The
anthology provided an opportunity for adult learners to write stories from
their hearts, choosing just the right words to express themselves, and then to
share those stories with the broader community. Previously, the Redlands
community would be invited to a “Celebration of Authors” event, where adult
learners would read their works to an audience that included their families and
friends. Because of the social distancing requirements caused by the pandemic,
this year the library recorded authors reading their stories, so that the whole
community could experience the joy of hearing the works of adult learners who
are working to improve their literacy.
This
anthology’s pandemic reflections were especially heart-felt and relevant as
everyone continues to adapt to changes caused by the pandemic. Several learners
wrote about the losses they had experienced, like the inability to see family
or gather in large groups, supporting children with online school, learning how
to meet with tutors remotely, and adapting to wearing face masks. READ
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