MARIA Jordan had spent most of her life unable to read or write properly.

After going into care aged just five, she only ever attended two weeks of mainstream school. She devoted much of her life to caring for her disabled daughter she had aged 17, and five years ago put all thoughts of education on hold after discovering she had lung cancer.

But despite everything life has thrown at her, Maria, now aged 47, is on the verge of fulfilling a long-held ambition.

After overcoming such huge hurdles, she is celebrating after being named one of the region's top learners in recognition of her new-found dedication to education.

Her life-changing moment happened when she signed up for a course at further education college Leeds Thomas Danby four years ago.

"I came to college at the age of 43 to learn a new skill, improve my basic skills and to help me socially," said Maria. "During my first year I developed my reading and writing so that I could function normally with my everyday living. I also learnt basic hairdressing."

Since taking the leap into education, she has passed her NVQ level one in hairdressing and is now studying for level two in order to fulfil her ambition of becoming a stylist. She's also a model student, with a 100 per cent attendance record.

Presentation

"I have always wanted to be an hairdresser and God willing, I will pass everything," said Maria. "It means so much to me and it will be a better life. "Things have finally started to go right for me and I hope they carry on."

Not even major surgery has stopped Maria, who will pick up a Regional Learning Works Award during a presentation ceremony at Leeds Town Hall next Tuesday.

"I only have one lung," she said. "I had lung cancer and one of my lung's was removed in July 2003. I am doing great, although I still suffer with getting out of breath badly but it won't stop me doing what I love the most.

"I hope that my story will encourage people that it can be done and that you can make a difference and have a career.

"I would like to thank Thomas Danby and all whose that have been involved in this award. I am overwhelmed with this, to know what I have

achieved.

Clients

"I would also like to thank Pauline Towers and Sue from Kurl Up & Dye who have spent a great deal of time with me in the hairdressers. They have taught me how to have confidence and how to be able to communicate with clients. They have explained things when I was not sure and put me on the right road.

"I have learnt so much with my education, social skills and being part of a team and the college environment. Learning has made me a more confident and happy person."

Maria's award presentation will take place during Adult Learners' Week, which starts on Saturday and is organised by the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE). The presentation is being sponsored by the Learning and Skills Council, which funds further education colleges and sixth forms.

David Lammy, Minister for Skills, said: "I never fail to be inspired by the stories I hear about learner's achievements through Skills for Life. Maria's hard work confirms my belief that improving your skills can be a life changing experience."

"The benefits better skills bring to learners and those around them are wide-ranging.

"On the personal level people become more confident and have higher self–esteem"


DALJIT SEHMI

DALJIT Sehmi juggled a hectic family life with a demanding degree course and ended up with top marks.

The 41-year-old from Leeds returned to learning after many years away and managed to earn a first-class honours degree in business information technology from Leeds Metropolitan University.

She often found herself doing her studies in the small hours, having spent the rest of the day looking after her extended family.

Her remarkable achievement will be recognised next week when she receives a Regional Individual Learner Award from NIACE.

Her tutor, Alison Munn recalled picking up e-mails from Daljit sent at 2am. "When I asked her she said that it was the only time she had to do her work because she had to prepare food for family reunions in excess of 30 people."

An extended family like Daljit's is a full-time occupation in itself. Her responsibilities include taking her in-laws shopping, to medical appointments and to family reunions all over the country, as well as being a devoted mum to her two daughters.

Despite her commitments, Daljit felt compelled to do the course.

"I felt incomplete without having a degree and knew that if I didn't return to education now I would end up regretting it in years to come," she said.

Positive

"Since I passed my degree I am more confident as a person and know that I can use my brain to extend my learning other than just deciding what to cook for dinner and doing the washing and ironing."

She hopes that her work ethic will encourage her children to study hard. "The fact that my kids saw me do my assignments and stay up late can only have a positive effect on them and make them realise how important learning is," she said.


TRACY SMITH

SINGLE mum Tracy Smith will also celebrating during Adult Learners' Week.

Like Maria Jordan, Tracy studies at Leeds Thomas Danby college's Academy of Hairdressing.

She has been given the college's own adult learners award after overcoming her fears about returning to learning.

Tracy, 33, felt she had never really achieved anything after leaving school with few qualifications and dropping out of college after becoming pregnant.

After 13 years of bringing up her daughter alone with her days consisting of a routine of shopping and cleaning, she felt it was the time for a change.

"I feel better about myself and am a lot more confident," she said. "I especially enjoy meeting new people and being able to see the results of my work."

Tracy was originally enrolled on a one-year hairdressing course at Leeds Thomas Danby's community provision at St Gregory's Youth and Adult Centre.

She is now in her second year of an NVQ Level 2 Hairdressing course at East Leeds Family Learning Centre in Seacroft as well as completing a barbering course.

As well as learning how to use computers, Tracy has completed a hairdressing work placement and is hoping to get a full-time job when she completes her studies.


LINDSAY COOK

TEN years ago, Lindsay Cook was homeless with no prospects of a job.

Today, she's a star student with a great future in the construction industry.

It's been a remarkable transformation for the 26-year-old, who is among just a handful of people in West Yorkshire who will pick up a Regional Individual Learner Award as part of Adult Learners' Week.

Lindsay, from Leeds, has had a troubled background and a range jobs.

"I did okay with my GCSEs, but when I left school I got in with the wrong crowd," she said. "I ended up living in a hostel or sleeping at friends' houses."

At 18 she became a hairdresser and also worked voluntary as a mentor for children with drug and behavioural problems. But it was while she was running a kitchen that she decided she wanted to be a joiner.

Lindsay joined a Leeds City Council programme run by Leeds College of Building, where she took NVQ levels 1, 2 and 3 in carpentry and joinery. Now she works full-time as a joiner and is continuing to study site management.

Most of her fellow students are male and have been won over by her positive attitude. Her employer has been so impressed with her achievements that she has been nominated for a trainee of the year award.

Lindsay has no doubts at all that she has done the right thing. "I get great satisfaction in improving my abilities," she said

"My work and learning have made my life worth living. I'm grateful for this chance of expressing my thanks to all concerned."