Alicia's Story: From Learning to Read to Trusting Her Voice

When Alicia was 12, she learned to read.

It began when her school principal asked Dionisia, the librarian-educator at Arriba las Manos, to work with a group of students who needed additional support. Alicia was among them.

Using the Glenn Doman method, Dionisia introduced the students to printed words, illustrated cards, and content displayed on a television screen. With time and practice, Alicia began reading faster and with greater fluency.

But recognizing the words was one challenge. Speaking them where others could hear her was another.

“I used to dread speaking like this, in front of others... I was shy and genuinely frightened — I don’t even know how to describe it — but I simply could not bring myself to ever speak in front of the classroom.”

Alicia wanted to speak, yet fear and embarrassment kept her from stepping forward.

Speaking in Spanish, Alicia describes how learning to read and receiving encouragement from Dionisia and her teachers helped her face her fear of public speaking.

With their support, Alicia continued practicing. Now a student in grade 7-2, she began speaking before classmates and teachers. Eventually, she stood before the entire school assembly.

“But with the support of my teachers and Miss Dionisia, I have been able to face that fear... I have spoken in front of the teachers and in front of the entire school assembly... I feel so much more confident now...”

Alicia’s progress began with a local decision: a principal recognized that a group of students needed additional support and invited Dionisia to work alongside them. It continued through Alicia’s own effort and the steady encouragement of educators who created opportunities for her to practice, participate, and grow.

Teachers throughout the school are seeing similar progress in students’ reading, learning, and self-expression. Each year, more of them make room in their schedules for Dionisia to work with their classes. In 2026, she is working consistently with five class groups.

Arriba las Manos was founded in 2010 to support the comprehensive education of children in Ararca, an isolated Afro-descendant community on Colombia’s Barú Island. Mona Foundation has partnered with the locally led organization since 2021, providing sustained operational support for its educational programs.

At 12, Alicia learned to read. Today, she is using those words before an audience. Every time she stands to speak, she demonstrates a confidence built through her own effort—and strengthened by educators who recognized her capacity and gave her room to grow.

(Story, video, and quotations adapted from Arriba's July 2026 partner report.)