THE DAY THE WORLD CHANGED
When you have walked the earth for three decades, you already take life for granted. Each day rolls into the next. You are more than likely married, perhaps you even have children. In the morning the sun rises, you gulp down breakfast as usual. You search through a closet of well-worn clothes and throw on an outfit that is all too familiar. After a final glance at the clock, you journey to work on a bus, train or car. Though you are still young, the world holds few surprises and your destiny seems clear.
Some days are different. Some days change everything.
In 1974 as I approached my thirtieth year, the English literacy problem in Malaysia was running rampant. Despite English being present in teaching curriculums since the British occupation, many Malaysians – the poorer classes in particular - could not speak, read or write it fluently. This was a serious concern for me, not simply because I was an English lecturer, but because English was the international language of trade and commerce. How disadvantaged, how limited in scope a person would be if they were not able to communicate in English!
I was brooding over the dilemma on a day like any other when the idea struck me: What if reading could be made easy? What if it was possible to exploit a natural ability? What if anyone and everyone could read?
From that moment, the shackles of tradition fell away. Literacy was no longer a privilege reserved for the wealthy and the powerful. It was a gift to be shared, one child at a time, to the farthest corners of Asia.
These truths have been realised through the Vital Years Program for fifteen years. Countless lives have been touched by the efforts of our network. “Slow learners” I taught many years ago are now accomplishing great things, personally and professionally. The company is starting kindergartens, introducing new technology. I am in awe of what we have achieved together and acutely aware that we have much more to do.
Yes, some days are different. Some days will change the world.
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