SALISBURY — Edward Tezlaf and Melchizedek Ghandour have joined the Rowan County Literacy Council as tutors.

Both completed a training program though ProLiteracy, the country’s largest adult literacy organization.

The eight-hour online training program certifies them to tutor at any ProLiteracy-affiliated program nationwide.

Tezlaf plans to work with an English as a Second Language. Ghandour will work with an Adult Basic Education student.

Tezlaf is retired, and Ghandour is studying psychology at University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

“I know that there are people who are suffering through things that I will never experience, and it is not fair nor humane for me to live my life in comfort and enjoying my blessings and not do something to improve the lives of others,” said Ghandour of his reason for volunteering.

“I could just as easily have been in their shoes. I wish I could help everyone and give everyone what they need to live in peace, but I don’t have the expertise nor the resources,” he continued. “So I just wanted to do whatever I can, small or large. I think we all come to a point where we realize that what truly makes us happy and fulfilled is not living for ourselves but instead living for others, simply for the well-being of others.”

Tezlaf echoed those sentiments.

“I am volunteering as a literacy tutor because I know how important and enjoyable it is to read well,” Tezlaf said. “And I am grateful for the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives.”

According to program coordinator Laurel Harry, the need for new tutors is ongoing.

Plans are underway to add an evening ESL class as well as an evening citizenship class in early 2018.

Currently, the Literacy Council has seven students on the waiting list for one-on-one tutoring in either ESL or ABE. Tutors and students typically meet once a week for a 90-minute class. Tutors do not have to speak the student’s native language.

The Rowan County Literacy Council has been serving Rowan County since 1976 and is headquartered at the main branch of the Rowan County Public Library, 201 W. Fisher St.

The council a United Way Agency whose student programs are free.

For more information on enrolling as a student or becoming a tutor,  visit http://www.rcliteracy.org or call 704-216-8266.