In honor of Obama, here's how I am planning to help America and YOU can too!

[CTyankee]

I am starting in January as a literacy volunteer to teach ESOL to Souyen, a Chinese woman who is greatly in need of improving her English. She was widowed young and left with a little daughter. She is on her own and working in a store, making barely over the minimum wage. She has real problems in pronunciation and often cannot be understood. I will tutor her for a couple of hours a week and prepare work tailored for her to practice on her own.

If you can speak English well, you can do what I am doing. It is an important gift that doesn't require you to give money if you don't have any. Your time and your ability to speak the English language are valuable assets, AND you can see your progress as you go along!

Literacy Volunteers of America has offices all across the country. They have materials they can give you for free. Online sources are plentiful also.

And, you will have an experience in diversity and make new friends. I highly recommend this to any DUer who may not be able to make monetary contributions but may be looking for things to do to help someone in need thrive and succeed in our country.

[babylonsister]

1. Rec'd. Great idea! nt