Gerhard Prange concealed the fact that he could not read or write for years. In Germany alone six million people are estimated to be in a similar position. But now he wants to change all that.


Gerhard Prange is one of six million Germans who are unable to read or write. Letters from the authorities were left unanswered, leading to all kinds of problems; Prange began drinking and his marriage broke up. Finally he reached a turning point, and admitted that he was illiterate. For him, it was a liberating move and since then his life has improved. He’s stopped drinking, has a regular job and above all, the 63 year old has decided to go back to school and take part in a literacy course. He still needs nearly an hour to write a sentence without mistakes, with the help of a teacher. But he’s set himself a goal, one day Gerhard Prange plans to write a letter to his adult daughter. A report by Axel Rowohlt.


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