Merlitta, at six years old, is a cheerful girl, despite growing up amidst difficult circumstances beyond her control. She had a severe speech delay, making it a struggle to even say her own name. This made communication with others difficult and left her feeling misunderstood at school.
Merlitta’s turning point came when she joined Steady Readers, New Life’s weekly literacy programme that supports children in building foundational reading skills. Her teachers quickly learned how to engage her curiosity and support her energetic learning style. Gradually, she began to take an interest in reading, looking forward to each class and listening attentively during lessons. Through consistent practice and encouragement, Merlitta gained confidence. She worked hard to enunciate her words, and each small step forward strengthened her courage, not only in reading and spelling, but also in beautifully expressing her thoughts more freely.
Merlitta is now a Primary 1 student who can fully participate in class. She responds to questions in class, takes joy in her learning, and even mentions her teachers to her parents. Finding her voice, which seemed impossible before, is now her greatest strength.
