PGI Manitoba 2008
How PGI Participation Helps Adults Learn
James Nemeth's Story
 The following story introduces you to one of the beneficiaries of the PGI. Learners from across Manitoba can apply for bursaries to help with transportation, child care, or materials costs to attend literacy programs. People like James are the reason we organize the PGIs. Thank you for making a lasting difference in real people’s lives.
My name is James Nemeth. I work part-time at the St. Boniface Hospital in the Kitchen and Diet Office.
When I was young, I didn’t feel that I fit in at school; I didn’t get enough help and was dealing with other problems. I didn’t finish high school.
At the age of 40, I wanted more. It was always in the back of my mind to go back to school and get my grade 12. I felt that I was stuck in a rut. There are not many jobs out there for people with less than a grade 12 education. It took a long time to ask about programs even though going back to school was something that I had been thinking about for a few years. Though I was somewhat intimidated and afraid, I took that first step.
I attended Journeys Education Association, and enrolled in the GED program. When I saw different people in the program, including an 82 year-old lady, it was an additional incentive.
Linda Bloom was my teacher. It was there that I met and talked with all kinds of adults, from different cultures, language, struggles, and goals, who were also going back to school. Working part-time and on a limited budget made this goal a little more difficult.
I am proud that I went back to school; friends and family are proud and supportive of me. My confidence has increased. I read the newspaper every day and often buy books to read.
I look at the positive things that I have done. My life is a positive journey, moving forward, sometimes taking little steps. People should be proud of their accomplishments. If you have a problem, take the initiative to fix it. Take one step at a time. Set goals. Identify what is important and how you are going to reach that goal. It is lots of work. When you believe in a higher power, challenges can be met. Anything is possible. Change is hard for anyone. You just need to be willing to take small steps.
Upon completion of the GED, I intend to return to the Journeys program to take computer training to help me with my job at the hospital. They run an information management program that would help me.
I hope that there continues to be places for adults to learn around for a long time. It is important not to judge people who go back to school, but look at those who choose to go back to school as people who are taking an opportunity to improve their lives.
- James Nemeth
Return to Bursaries Information |
in collaboration with LPM