The first thing Pawn Kingman noticed when she moved from Thailand to America was the size.
Kingman says, "I was very surprised, I say, 'wow, it's a big country." The second thing she noticed was that she was going to have to learn a new language. "To learn English its very hard," says, Kingman.

May Sabandit also found herself in the same position after moving to Grand Junction from Laos.
Sabandit says, "The first four years I came here I didn't speak English I didn't go out, I didn't have friends." After struggling to learn English on their own the two women turned to the literacy center in the Mesa County Library for help.

Denice Hoffman, program director for the Literacy Center, says, "You know we have students from 38 countries from all over the world, all cultures all languages." Hoffman started teaching two years ago when the center had 167 students. "So it's a whole spectrum of people and educational levels and goals and life styles," says, Hoffman. Now the literacy center teachers English to more than 500 students. Hoffman says, "They want to be part of our society; you know their goals is to become a citizen."

Hoffman says it's amazing to see woman like Kingman and Sabandit break down the language barrier and step into a whole new life. "It’s like watching a butterfly come out of a cocoon it's an incredible transformation," says, Hoffman.

Kingman once worked construction in Thailand to help raise money for her family. Kingman says, "Oh, very hard, heavy and I was pregnant that time." Now wants to finish her GED and start her own business. "Right now I think I can do more things, my next dream I want to open a Thai Restaurant," says, Kingman.

For Sabandit not speaking English meant fewer nights out with her husband. Sabandit says, "Try to take me to the movie but I don't understand." Now all that's changed says, Sabandit, "And now I can go with every time." She's even working on getting her drivers license. Sabandit says, "Maybe I can go work with Pawn when she open her restaurant."

A bright future for both women who prove it's never too late to follow your dreams. Both Kingman and Sabandit have become US citizens with help from the Literacy Center at the Mesa County Library.

If you or someone you know needs help with English or reading improvement call 245–5522.