"Individual Learns Literacy Skills Later in Life: Age 51"
Berlin Resident Ute Holschumacher Shares Her Journey to Literacy
In Berlin, Ute Holschumacher, a 63-year-old resident, once faced daily challenges that many of us take for granted – reading emails at work, filling out forms at the doctor's office, and purchasing a newspaper at the kiosk. It wasn't until her mid-50s that she learned to read and write.
Holschumacher is now a learning ambassador for the "ALFA-Mobil" project, an initiative by the Federal Association for Literacy and Basic Education. Along with a team, she travels across Germany in the info bus, reaching out to individuals who have struggled with reading and writing their entire lives.
The project aims to help adults like Holschumacher, who, due to difficult circumstances, lack basic literacy skills. Holschumacher recounts her struggles: "I wrote my first birthday card to my daughter at the age of 52. But it was a hard-fought journey."
As a child, Holschumacher did not receive a place at a regular school, and she was instead sent to the Kielhorn special school in Neukölln. Instead of receiving support, she was bullied and shuffled from class to class, never learning to read or write.
After leaving school at 15, things only became more challenging. Holschumacher had her daughter at 19 and worked as a chambermaid. As an illiterate, she couldn't understand what was on her daughter's baby food, needing regular help from a friendly pharmacist. To cope, she was supported daily by her mother and sister, but it was no long-term solution. Holschumacher remembers feeling embarrassed when she couldn't fill out medical history forms at the doctor's office.
When the bullying at her workplace escalated, Holschumacher decided to take action. She enrolled in lessons at "Lesen und Schreiben e.V." in Neukölln and attended the Volkshochschule in Werbellinstrasse. After six years of hard work, she had finally mastered reading and writing.
The "ALFA-Mobil" is a rolling information booth that travels through Germany to reach adults aged 18 to 64 with little or no reading and writing skills. The project provides free and low-threshold offers, such as classes in community centers, family centers, or with providers like the Volkshochschule.
Adrian Eppel, a scientific employee at the Federal Association for Literacy and Basic Education, explains, "Many young target groups are already served by other institutions, so we focus on adults." Approximately 300,000 people in Berlin and over 6 million people nationwide are believed to be affected. 50 learning ambassadors support the project and share their experiences.
Holschumacher is now a passionate reader, enjoying novels like "Romeo & Juliet" and Sebastian Fitzek's thrillers. She encourages others to overcome their shame and embrace learning: "My world has finally become colorful."
The "ALFA-Mobil" will be in Berlin on June 5th from 2 pm to 6 pm at the Mauerpark in Prenzlauer Berg. For more information, visit the project's website or contact the Federal Association for Literacy and Basic Education.
Education-and-self-development and personal-growth are integral parts of Ute Holschumacher's journey, as she transformed her life by learning to read and write in her mid-50s. Now, as a learning ambassador for the "ALFA-Mobil" project, Holschumacher advocates for education and personal growth, encouraging others to overcome their own challenges and embrace life-long learning, making her world colorful.
