Eduardo O'Reilly Herrera (standing), teacher in the 'Yes, I Can' Literacy Programme in western St Mary, assists Jephtah McIntosh, one of the participants in the programme, with a question in the workbook. At left is McIntosh's wife, Olive, who is also a participant in the programme.

Seventy-nine-year-old Jephtah McIntosh and his 70-year-old wife, Olive, have kept true to the adage that one is never too old to learn, having signed up for literacy classes in their community.

The septuagenarians are among 14 participants and 13 facilitators in the 'Yes, I Can' programme' in western St Mary. The programme which was brought to the Gayle community by Member of Parliament Robert Montaque, began in January and is the English equivalent to the Spanish 'Yo Si Puedo' literacy programme in Cuba.

"It is easier to deal with something more than nothing at all," Mr McIntosh told The Gleaner of his reasons for signing up with the programme at such a late stage in life.

Mrs McIntosh, who has had challenges reading her favourite book - the Bible, said she could not let the opportunity pass when she heard about the Yes, I Can programme.

"I did know some words, but to pronounce the bigger words was my trouble and I needed it because I want to read my Bible," she told The Gleaner during an interview at the Centre of Excellence in Gayle.

She added: "It is the best thing that happen to Gayle, but plenty of the people are ashamed, but me not shame."

The couple say they study together and have no problem helping each other out when doing their homework. For them, this is just another way of bonding.

"I have a young lady at home and some words that I don't know she spell it for me and I do the writing," Mrs McIntosh revealed.

She said her reading has improved since joining the programme. However, there is much more room for improvement, so she will continue for a few more months.

Mr McIntosh, on the other hand, will graduate from the programme next Sunday.

"I feel very good about that. I love it and the teacher very nice. They see to it that we learn. Them have patience," Mr McIntosh said enthusiastically.

He added: "It is never too old to learn. I remember the things that they teach me."

Mrs McIntosh, however, said her memory sometimes fails.

"Sometimes, I don't really remember and that kind of trouble me," she explained.

The couple got married in 1990. They have 18 children in total from previous relationships.

"The children feel good about what we are doing," Mrs McIntosh told The Gleaner with a smile.

Thirty-seven-year-old Glenford Smith, another participant in the programme, said his literacy level was 'zero' when he started in January.

"Today, I can read a little and I can write good now. I never know how to write and now I can identify every letter in the alphabet," Smith said while twiddling his thumbs.

He added: "I am a Christian and love church, but I did not know the words in the Bible and it used to bother me and a lot of people encouraged me, so I just jumped to the opportunity."

Smith, who will be the valedictorian at Sunday's graduation, said he plans to return to classes at the Centre of Excellence.

"I am just going to continue because every day you learn more and more," said the farmer.

Cuban national Eduardo O'Reilly Herrera, who was brought to Jamaica to teach the programme, said the participants' overall performance has improved.

"They are very good students. The big problem is attendance but they are interested and all have improved a lot," said Herrera.

Classes are held Mondays to Fridays. Herrera leaves in May but facilitators who have been trained will continue the programme which will be extended to other communities in the constituency.

The Yes, I Can programme has four components - workbook, participants, video lecture and facilitators.

petrina.francis@gleanerjm.com