Today was my last day at CCLM—it’s been a great week! I stayed for a big celebration they were holding for their adult learning students in their Plaza Comunitaria program. Today, 44 adult learners receive scholarships from the Mexican consulate in recognition of their achievements through the program. The programs included literacy classes (in English and Spanish), computer classes, and other skills. With these classes, adults can achieve certifications awarded by the Mexican government, that they can take back to Mexico with them. Thus they can go back to their country better educated and able to find better paying jobs.
It was a pretty big deal! They had a representative from the Mexican consulate, the superintendent of schools in San Bernardino, and guests from the Mexican government (in Adult Education) attend the ceremony.
One of the guests, a woman from the Mexican government in the Education Department, for adults, said that to go back to school as adults was an extremely brave thing to do. She said that it takes courage to seek out to learn what is unfamiliar and to work to better oneself. She said that what was most important about these adult learners was that not only were they bettering themselves, but that they were making life better for their families, too. She said that when kids see their parents taking classes and dedicated to being their best possible self, it inspires children to do the same. It’s a powerful motivator for families.
I tend to agree. When young people can see their parents attempt to break the cycles of oppression (poverty, lack of education, language barrier, etc) they start to see the possibilities of the future. They start to have hope… (And let me tell you, some of the kids at the ceremony were SOOO proud of their parents up front getting the awards—they cheered the most!)
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