Adult Learning and Literacy
Council of the Federation (COF) Literacy Award
Announcing Hamdi Warsame as the 2023 Recipient of the COF Literacy Award in Manitoba
On September 8, 2023, the Council of the Federation (COF) announced the 2023 COF Literacy Award recipients from across Canada. Adult Learning and Literacy is pleased to announce Hamdi Warsame from Winnipeg as the Manitoba recipient of the 2023 Council of the Federation (COF) Literacy Award. The award was presented to Ms. Warsame at the Manitoba Legislative Building by Honourable Renée Cable, Minister of Advanced Education and Training.
Hamdi Warsame is from Somalia. Growing up, she was denied a formal education. In 1993, she immigrated to Canada, setting aside her dream to learn to read and write in order to raise her family of seven. In 2021, tragedy struck when she lost her husband to COVID-19. Alone, she moved her family from Toronto to Winnipeg to join her daughter, a student at the University of Manitoba. In March 2022, Hamdi embarked on her lifelong dream when she enrolled at LiteracyWORKS Inc. She continues to study at LiteracyWORKS, improving her literacy and numeracy skills and gaining more confidence each day. Hamdi says, "Achieving one new word at school is better than staying at home and learning nothing. I feel more confident and have big dreams for my future such as graduating from high school. I want to get a job."
This year, Adult Learning and Literacy received eight nominations from programs across Manitoba. Congratulations to the 2023 nominees for their success and dedication to adult learning!
| Nominee | Program | City |
|---|---|---|
| Ayni Ahmed | LiteracyWORKS Inc. | Winnipeg |
| Doreen Beardy | Community Adult Learning Centre | Flin Flon |
| Fahima Fazely | McLeod Adult Learning Centre River East Transcona School Division |
Winnipeg |
| Sylvia Ferland | Selkirk Adult Learning Program | Selkirk |
| Nicole Johnson | Adult Education Centre Seven Oaks School Division |
Winnipeg |
| Berivan Mohammad | McLeod Adult Learning Centre River East Transcona School Division |
Winnipeg |
| Hamdi Warsame | LiteracyWORKS Inc. | Winnipeg |
| Melissa Weseen | New Directions | Winnipeg |
We would also like to thank the following members of the 2023 COF Literacy Award Adjudication Committee for dedicating their time and attention to the adjudication process:
- Chris Laurie, Acting Administrative Coordinator of Adult Programming and Outreach, Winnipeg Public Library
- Jo-Anne Saunders, Education Director, Swan River Adult Learning
- Annica Dickens, Literacy Coordinator, John Howard Society of Manitoba
