Emotional reunion for volunteer tutor, 93, and student whom she taught how to spell

For 10 years, tutor Jean Lee volunteered to helpKevin Mardell with his reading and writing skills.

Mardell,who has autism,immigrated to Canada from South Africa when he was a teen, but after finishing high school in Kelowna, B.C.,he struggled to find work.

So heturned to Project Literacy, anon-profit that providesvolunteer-based tutoring, to improve his spelling. That's where he met Lee, who, over a decade, helped perfect his writing skills.

"His spelling is perfect now and he's just been fantastic, like a sponge learning everything I could put forth," saidLee, 93, a retired school teacher.

"He used everything we could come up with to help him learn and he did it diligently."

It's been about fiveyearssince the twolast saw each other, butlast week Lee surprised Mardell at the Independent Grocer in the southern Interior city, where Mardellnow works as a check-out clerk.

"It has been so long, too long," said Mardell, now 36.

Lee was overcome with emotion at the sight of herformer student.

"I promised myself I wasn't going to cry, but he's a sight for sore eyes," she said of Mardell.

"He just looks like a wonderful young person, and he's done so well. And it's all because of his own efforts that he's done this."

Learning journey

Lee has been a volunteer at Project Literacy for more than 30 years, but the 10 years spent with Mardell brought him a long way.

"She didn't get frustrated withme. She often complimented me on the good parts I did, like the neatness of my spelling, even though the spelling was bad," he said.

Lee praisedMardell'sdiligence.

"He worked a long time to make the changes," said Lee.

She isn't surprised that Mardell has a job now.

"I knew he would achieve anything he [went]for," she said. "It was about 10 years we worked and he made progress every year, and he received an award for it."

In 2007, Mardellwon the Canada Post Literacy Award for most improved literacy skill. Lee travelled to Vancouver with Mardell to accept it.

"It was quite a surprise to me. I just did my best with what was given to me," said Mardell.

Looking back on his time in the literacy program, Mardell feels it definitely "makesa difference."

"You were such an appreciative student," added Lee. "You just wanted to learn and that was your goal. And he went through all the materials we had in the program."