As we celebrate Adult Learners Week, we are reminded that learning takes many different paths — and that the people who support us along the way can make a lasting difference.
One of Read Write Now’s greatest strengths is the wealth of skills, knowledge, interests and life experience our volunteer tutors bring to the program. Their varied backgrounds help us support learners in different ways and connect people with the right experience when more specialised support is needed.
Marisa’s story: A journey of learning and giving back
Morley tutor Marisa knows firsthand how powerful education, encouragement and opportunity can be.
She came to Australia from Vietnam after completing Year 9, joining her aunt and uncle after her uncle — himself a former refugee — offered to sponsor one of his nieces or nephews. Starting again in a new country, with a new language and education system, was a major adjustment.
Marisa went on to achieve an outstanding tertiary admission score of 99.95. When university seemed financially out of reach, support from philanthropist Stan Perron helped make it possible for her to study at the University of Western Australia, where she completed honours in biochemistry and later undertook PhD research.
Today, Marisa is giving that support forward. As a Read Write Now volunteer tutor, she draws on her own learning journey to help adult learners build literacy, confidence and belief in what they can achieve.
Her story reflects what Adult Learners Week is all about: learning can open doors, build confidence and create opportunities that continue to ripple through the lives of others.
