May 2007

My name is Victoria. I have four children. The first is called José, he is eight years old. The second is Jonathan, six years old. The third, Marie Josée, is three years old and the last one, Daniel, is nine months old. A year ago, I met Jame and Claire. When Claire comes to our house, my boys are very happy, because since she started coming to our house, they show a lot of interest in reading. I personally can't teach them because it's very difficult with my Latino accent - but thanks to God and Claire, my boys now read with the right accent. For me it is very important that my boys learn well. Now my boys don't watch TV and play Nintendo because they prefer to read and go to the library.

When Tuesday comes, they look forward to Claire, even the little one, because not only is Claire there to read to them, but she has also become a friend to them. Even my boys who were so shy have managed to break the ice - thanks to the confidence and love Claire shows them.

At school, José's teacher noticed the change, José's good accent and even the speed with which he now reads. Really, I thank Claire with all my heart, thank you very much. I learned to read with my son.

Translated from the Spanish by Anne Lafleur