On Tuesday, February 24, we had our first class for women who do not know how to read and write. Many of them are the mothers of our children. We know them personally, and we know that not being able to read or write has been a frustration for them. We have always wanted to begin a session like this. The other day we were blest to have our Creole teacher and friend, Omanie, start this new class for five women in our home. We want very much to help them. Some of them are very young, already with children. They never had the opportunity to go to school or finish school because of their difficult lives. They will be meeting twice a week.

As we sat there and watched these women, learning for the first time to hold a pencil correctly, to draw a circle, the letter “C”, or a straight line, was amazing but sad that they never had this opportunity. Watching their faces and their real desire to learn was humbling. How much we take for granted the gift of knowing how to read and write.