Finding My Voice in English Gave Me the Confidence to Speak Up for Myself By Mae Guineta
I joined VODW's classes wanting to learn more, drawn in by the chance to spend time with friends and, just as importantly, by the practical help it could offer if I ever needed supporting letters during my visa processing. Over a year and a half in ESOL and IT, I found both community and real, tangible support, arriving nervous at first but staying because the value quickly became clear.
In ESOL, I learned about UK history, deepening my understanding of the country I now call home. In IT, I picked up practical skills like copying, pasting, and creating documents, small but essential tools for navigating everyday life. During my sessions, I felt reconnected with myself, and one moment in particular has stayed with me, learning to deliver a proper English sentence, a milestone that might sound modest but represents a significant leap for someone who was once shy and afraid to talk to anyone.
That shyness has clearly softened. I have gained a little confidence, said with the quiet honesty of someone who knows change takes time and does not need to be dramatic to be real. My graduation, I can say, was an unforgettable moment, a milestone worth holding onto.
My thanks to my teachers are warm, gratitude for sharing their knowledge so generously, and my hope for the future is simple and clear, to keep learning more.
My journey reflects something important about VODW's classes, that the path to speaking up for one's rights often begins with something as basic as learning to speak a full, proper sentence with confidence. My growth, however incremental it may feel to me, is exactly the kind of foundation VODW hopes to build in every member, a foundation strong enough to eventually support the fight for rights like changing employer without restriction, renewing a visa, and settling securely in the UK.
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