sara learns and works in calgary · 2013-06-07 · this publication was designed for low literacy...
TRANSCRIPT
Sara Learns and Works in CalgaryA Visual Guide to Employment for Low Literacy Women
c c ccccC I W A
Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association
This publication was designed for low literacy immigrant women who want to find employment in Canada. It provides a visual story of the learning and training process low literacy immigrant women go through to improve their English language skills, gain the necessary workplace knowledge and skills, and integrate into the workplace. The story explores some of the jobs that the Calgary Immigrant Womenʼs Association prepares low literacy immigrant women for. Additionally, the story subtly highlights ethno-cultural diversity in the community and the importance of working with others.
We hope organizations that serve low literacy clientele will use this publication as a learning and teaching tool. CIWA is pleased to share expertise and experiences with the rest of the community.
The people in the pictures are actors. They do not work at a hotel. The people in the pictures are CIWA staff and volunteers.
Sara
My name is Sara. I am from Ethiopia. I went to school for eight years in Ethiopia.
I came to Canada two years ago. Canada is very different from Ethiopia. Canada is colder than Ethiopia. It does not snow in Ethiopia.
I am a mother. I have three children. I have two boys and a girl. We are a family. My children are happy in Canada.
I went to LINC at CIWA.
The LINC teacher taught me English.
I learned to speak English. I learned to read and write English.
My classmates came from all around the world.
Sara’s Job Search
My teacher at CIWA taught me about working in Canada.
She taught me about cleaning and safety.
She taught me how to speak English at work.
I learned about working with others.
At CIWA I have a job coach.
My job coach helped me look for a job.
My job coach helped me write a resume.
We sent my resume to companies.
My job coach helped me get ready for a job interview. She asked me questions and I practiced answering the questions.
I went to an interview at a hotel. The hotel manager asked me many questions.
He asked me which days I could work. He asked me what times during the day I could work. He asked me if I was legally eligible to work in Canada.
I told the hotel manager about the classes I took at CIWA.
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
NO WORK
WORK
WORK
WORK
WORK
WORK
NO
WORK
I told the hotel manager I could work Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.
I told the hotel manager that I am a permanent resident and allowed to work in Canada.
I thanked the hotel manager for interviewing me. I shook his hand.
The hotel manager called me two days after the interview. He gave me the job. I was very happy.
When I started the job the hotel manager gave me many papers to read and sign.
I took the papers to my job coach.
She helped me read and sign the papers.
Sara at Work
CIWA helped me to get a job at a hotel. I work at the hotel as a housekeeper.
I wake up at 5:30 every morning to go to work.
I drop my children off at daycare.
I take the c-train and a bus to get to work.
I arrive at work 10 minutes before I start work.
I get ready to work. I put on my uniform. I tie my hair back.
I put on gloves. The gloves keep my hands safe from the cleaning chemicals.
I wear good shoes because I stand all day.
This is my supervisor Diana. Diana is from the Philippines.
Diana is nice to me. She tells me what I have to do each day.
I ask Diana to show me how to do things. If I have a problem I talk to Diana and she helps me.
Diana checks my work to make sure the rooms are clean.
Being a housekeeper is a hard job. I clean 16 rooms in one day. I have to work fast.
I clean the washroom. I put clean towels in the washroom.
I change the bedding. I make the bed.
I
I clean the windows. I dust the furniture.
I vacuum the carpet. I like working.
Sara’s Co-workers
Lots of people work at the hotel. They are my co-workers. We work very hard.
We speak English at work. We listen to each other. We help each other.
This is my co-worker Saba. Saba is from Afghanistan.
Saba is a kitchen helper at the hotel. She works very hard.
Saba covers her hair and wears a cook’s hat. Saba wears good shoes because she stands all day.
She washes her hands before she starts working.
Saba likes her job. She helps make food for hotel guests.
Saba chops fruits and vegetables. She slices bread.
Saba cuts meat. She wears gloves when she cuts meat. She washes her hands after cutting the meat.
She gets a new cutting board before she chops other food. She cleans the cutting board with soap and water.
Saba puts food on plates.
She cleans the kitchen. Saba has to work fast.
This is my co-worker Nyakor. Nyakor is from Sudan.
Nyakor is a dishwasher at the hotel. Nyakor likes her job. She works very hard.
Nyakor washes her hands before she starts working.
She wears a hair net, gloves and an apron. Nyakor wears special shoes because she stands all day on a wet floor.
Nyakor puts the dishes into trays. She rinses the dishes.
She puts the trays through the dishwasher.
She scrubs the pots in soap and water. Nyakor has to work fast.
This is my co-worker Lili. Lili is from China.
Lili is a greeter and a cashier at the restaurant in the hotel. She works very hard. Lili works every day during lunch. She works four hours each day.
Lili welcomes guests to the restaurant. She takes the guest to a table. She gives her the menu.
Lili uses the cash register.
She takes money or credit cards from the guests to pay for their meal. She gives the guest a receipt.
We are a team. We work together to make the hotel’s guests happy.
Acknowledgements:
This publication was made possible through the funding provided by Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
Photography by: Candice Ward Photography
Copyright Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association (CIWA) 2013 ©
c c ccccC I W A
Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association
Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association#200, 138 4 Avenue SECalgary, Alberta T2G 4Z6P: 403.263.4414 | F: [email protected]