Sonam’s Story

“I felt a lot of relief. If I didn’t have the program, I think I would be lost, honestly! I would definitely not be where I am right now.”

– Sonam, ELF Sage Youth Program Alumni

Sonam was nine-years-old when she first walked into one of the ELF’s after-school programs. English was her third language and she hardly spoke it. She and her family had recently immigrated to Canada.

“I was a slow learner and I was lagging behind the other students,” Sonam recalls. “My parents were so busy with their work and providing for the family. Plus, English was not their first language; I could not go to them for help. The stress they carried as first-generation immigrants was less because of this program.”

At our program, she found friends as well as skilled tutors.

“(It) was the best part of my life when I was in school. I met other kids with challenges like me, even some who had immigrated from the same country. I thought, ‘Oh they’re learning. I can, too.’”

Volunteers helped Sonam learn how to learn. “They really built my independence. The tutors would give me hints, and support me to solve the problem, but not do it for me. Instead of always feeling like, ‘why am I not getting this, what’s wrong with me?’ I thought, ‘I want to do this more!’ I got this drive for learning that continues to this day.”

Today, Sonam proudly holds an Honours Bachelor of Science degree and a full-time job. But she does not want to stop there. She is applying for work in Canada’s public service and plans to undertake a master’s degree.

Just like Sonam’s, thousands of children’s lives are impacted positively every year through our literacy programs in Ottawa and our support to partners nationwide.