Sanya Goffe, a prominent attorney, may be known for her legal prowess, but it is her dedication to adult literacy that brings her the most joy. Together with her husband, Gavin Goffe, she co-founded the Adult Learning Centres of Jamaica (ALC), a charitable organization aimed at helping adults become functionally literate and regain independence through reading and writing.
Sanya’s journey into adult literacy began during her time at The University of the West Indies, Mona, where Gavin, then a student, made a passionate appeal for volunteers to join the Jamaica Movement for the Advancement of Literacy (JAMAL) Foundation. This appeal sparked a lifelong mission for the couple. “I remember when Gavin made the appeal for teachers… somebody asked, ‘Do we get paid?’ He said, ‘Yep, you get paid richly, dividends of the heart.’ That response has never left me,” Sanya shared.
Their shared passion eventually led to the formation of the ALC, which started as a satellite of the Jamaican Foundation for Lifelong Learning (JFLL) before becoming an independent charity in 2008. The ALC offers free classes in basic and intermediate English and mathematics to adults who want to improve their literacy skills.
“We had adults who were in their 70s who couldn’t even write the letter ‘A’. Some people had gone through primary school, or part of secondary school, but didn’t retain much and wanted a refresher,” Sanya explained. Many of the learners are parents who simply wish to help their children with homework or read them bedtime stories.
Sanya highlighted the profound sense of empowerment that comes with literacy. “You can do so much more if you have that independence. No one can come to your community and tell you something because you can read it for yourself… you can make an informed decision because you can read and understand for yourself.”
The ALC operates twice a week at Swallowfield Gospel Chapel in Kingston, with the support of dedicated volunteers and Sanya’s mother, Jackie Young, who serves as the principal. The program focuses on improving the daily lives of its participants rather than pushing them towards diplomas or degrees. “The wins for us are the improvements in your life. You’re able to now do things that you never got to do simply because you have that independence that comes with being literate,” Sanya shared.
One particularly moving experience for Sanya involved a 77-year-old participant who had struggled to write the alphabet. By the end of the program, the woman could write her name and read Bible passages independently. “To see them moving through the program… that is what brings the feeling of satisfaction for me,” Sanya said.
Her work at ALC also provides valuable perspective. “When you teach people who just want to learn, it brings into sharp focus your blessings… being able to read a sign and do basic math is a blessing. Many of the other teachers have shared similar experiences. It keeps things in perspective, and you understand the depth of your blessing,” she reflected.
Though Jamaica’s literacy rate stands at 88%, according to the Minister of Education and Youth Fayval Williams, there remains a significant need for programs like ALC. Sanya encourages anyone struggling with literacy to take the first step and join their classes. “If one student turns up, we are teaching,” she assured.
The Goffes’ Adult Learning Centres of Jamaica are committed to transforming lives, one student at a time. No matter when someone decides to seek help, Sanya promises that they will be welcomed: “If you come to us on the last day, we are going to register you. If you made the decision on that last day, we are not turning you away.”
