By Ann Yanchura
That’s a good question. Let’s examine this, particularly in the face of some minor but pointed criticism of our mission of building literacy in another country when our own home has many struggling readers and writers. We are blessed to have the opportunity to make global literacy connections that will benefit those with whom we work here in Zambia, those with whom we work in America and, certainly us individually.
A to Z Literacy, founded by Mal Keenan, Michelle Rentzsch, and Stephanie Brown, is a fledgling movement to share the love and skills of literacy with people everywhere. Through missionary friends, Mal felt called to work in Lusaka, Zambia, and her work is growing the literacy support community in Crystal Lake. Eventually, this work will grow to more outreach at both the international and the local level with your support and the small successes we are experiencing today.
Being out of our comfort zone here in Zambia helps us to grow professionally, personally and spiritually. We will carry our learning back to Crystal Lake, Illinois, where, for the other 50 weeks of the year, A to Z volunteers are working to build the literacy culture exactly where we live. We are all the better for our work here in Zambia. From America to Zambia and back again.
A to Z Literacy Movement Blog 
Well said, Ann. Thinking of you.
A simple comment for A to Z Literacy…you all are very strong women – doing one awesome job! Way to go…proud of you all! PS – Ann…I knew you would love the moments!
With mindfulness – strive on!
Ann,
This is why we are so lucky to have people like you in Crystal Lake. It is because you think bigger, outside of our small, immediate world that you are able to make a big difference. There’s no doubt about it, call it God, Karma, or what you will, when you help others, it always comes back to you!
I couldn’t agree with you more, Ann. The experiences you are having and work you are doing will have such an enormous impact on your own teaching back in Crystal Lake. It’s not something that can be measured, but it is HUGE! I know this from my own time teaching in Zambia with Mal two years ago. You come away with so many new ideas, varied experiences, a love of the children and adults you’ve taught, and you realize just how much they have taught YOU! Thanks for sharing such inspirational words. I can’t wait to read more!