Library Update!

Our library project started last month and we’re making excellent progress! When we first started, we only had enough books that occupied a small amount of space (see blog entry: “Help Us Create A New Library in Parramos!”). Now we’re receiving more and more books through the generous support of our donors. We have a beautiful building (pictured below) that is surrounded by trees and gardens and can be easily be expanded to 2 levels.

As soon as the first books arrived, we started to use the library right away! When we first opened our doors, the children peeked through the doors out of curiosity but they didn’t touch any of the books. This was the first time where there was such a place where they had free access to books and they weren’t sure what to do. First we were disappointed that they didn’t come in to read but we patiently waited. Then one day, one girl shyly poked her head in and asked if she can go in the library and take a book to read. “Of course!” we both exclaimed at once! We were both really happy and even more happy to see her followed by more children shortly after. Below are pictures of the first students who came into the library and seeing them take out books on their own to read for the first time in their lives really touched us.

Sandra also created a reading program for the children in every grade. Each class needs to spend at least 30 min a week in the library either listening to the teacher read to them or doing literary exercises where the children have the opportunity to express their ideas and discuss issues based on books they read in the library. These type of activities are truly valuable for the children as this is the first time for many of them where someone has read them a book. It is also the first time they have had the chance to express themselves, giving them an opportunity to tap into their creative potential.

We’re really proud of our first project here in Guatemala but with your help, we can do more. From the pictures you can see that the bookshelves are still somewhat empty. Also, only a quarter of the space in our building is being used due to lack of furniture and books. But with your help, you can really help us fill the rest of the library with much needed books and furniture.

If you’re interested in donating to this cause, please contact us at Tharakan.steve@gmail.com. Together, we can bring the gift of reading to this poor community - a gift that will last a life time!

Help Us Create a New Library in Parramos!

Our first major project here is creating a new library in Parramos, which is a small city where the illiteracy rate is high and the economic conditions are poor. The purpose of the library is to provide a comfortable, multi-purpose environment where students in the AOJ School and the general public can have free access to reading material. The intent is to promote and encourage the habit of reading in the local community, which is necessary for further educational development. The ultimate objective of the library is to benefit and develop the whole community of Parramos and not just the students of the AOJ School.

The AOJ School has been operating since 2001, when it started with 35 children in grades one to three. In 2007, the school grew to 450 students in grades one to six. There is currently an inadequate supply of reading material to encourage reading amongst the students given the exponential growth. There are approximately 200 books currently servicing 450 students at the AOJ School and the majority of these books are in English as they are usually donated by teams and churches that visit the school and see the need. The picture above shows the current state of the library. As you can see, we are in desperate need of more books and some furniture to have a comfortable environment for the children!

In a country where the literacy rate is only 69%, there is an essential need to obtain Spanish language books so that students are encouraged to read at an early age and to instill the habit of self-development. We have just completed the construction of a room that can accommodate at least 3000 books, including space for learning centres to facilitate specialized activities and computers for internet research. If the library grows as planned, it will become the only such facility in the entire region servicing 1500 students in the public school system in addition to the students attending the AOJ School.

We are calling this project 'Leer Para Crecer' (Read to Grow) and have determined that we need to raise $10,000 US to start. If you want to receive more information about this project, including specific reading material required, please contact Steve Tharakan at tharakan.steve@gmail.com. Please note that all financial contributions are eligible for income tax receipts. With your help, we can make a difference by giving the simple gift of reading to a community that is starving for this opportunity!