Erna Barwich is a strong advocate for learners. She has brought her learner's voice to the Boards of Literacy B.C. and the Movement for Canadian Literacy. Among her many other contributions, Erna has helped to plan two provincial Learners' Conferences and has often represented learners' issues and concerns to government and the public.
This fall, Erna will retire from the Literacy B.C. Board after serving for four years. We have found Erna to be a deeply committed and caring person with a love of learning and a drive to help others. She has made a valuable and important contribution to our organization and we will miss her very much.
Erna Barwich with
Senator Joyce Fairbairn,
Minister with Special Responsibility
for Literacy
Literacy Action Day
Ottawa, February 16, 1995Earlier this month, Erna gave a speech at a learner's event at the University College of the Fraser Valley in Chilliwack. This is part of her speech.
All my life I wanted to learn, learn, learn and I still do. I come from a family of six siblings. Today I am the only one alive. World War ll uprooted and separated our family. We moved from Russia to West Germany to Paraguay and then to Canada. This interrupted much of my education and definitely did not enhance my self-esteem.
In February 1961 I joined my sister in Canada. When I landed in Vancouver I was greeted by a cold climate, strange people and a difficult language. But after a short time I found work and things started to look up again. My sister had promised me that in Canada I would have greater opportunities to continue my education.
In April 1961 my sister and her family had a car accident. It was fatal for my sister. Those were very difficult days and months.
In December 1961 I married my brother-in-law. I took over three little boys and together we had three more boys. I'll tell you there was never a dull moment.
After our youngest went to high school I dared to look for help to read and write in English. Since I could read and communicate some, what I needed to learn was how to think and spell in English.
One day in 1989 1 had the courage to go to Fraser Valley College. After I filled out the questionnaire for the ABE program, they told me they did not have a place for me. I could not believe what I was hearing. It was like a cold slap in my face. Here I was sitting in an institution and I was told there was nothing available for me. At that moment my survival instinct surfaced. I said I would not move until they found something for me. Sometimes I surprise myself with my boldness. What I did not understand then was that my skills were not sufficient for the ABE program.
I phoned Barbara Bate at the college and her friendly, inviting voice gave me courage again. I was matched up with a wonderful tutor, Gail Newby, who helped me every step of the way. She was the first one to teach me how to write a cheque. It was quite an emotional experience.
The following year I entered the ABE program with great anticipation and excitement. I found it very challenging to fit into the Canadian school system. But, thanks to every instructor that I had, I progressed. Although I was a slow learner, I was an eager student who worked very hard and I learned to listen. Not only did I hear what instructors said, but I gave it my very best. I was the first student to start with a tutor and go all the way to write my GED and pass.
Today I cannot say that I went out there and got a great job, made lots of money, and have a wonderful position. But I can say that I became a good advocate for learners.
