Don't let the detractors get you down! C is awesome! Actually, I haven't coded in C for years, but want to get back to it - especially on the Amiga.
The are several packages available freely, or commercially there is SAS C, which I use. DL examples and study them to learn if you haven't got anyone around to teach you. If you really understand what computers are and how they work, learning C is easy, but you will have to spend some time on it.
The rewards are worth it.
Come on guys, point her to some useful information regarding compilers, source, etc.