Creating Girl Readers in Guatemala

One of the communities in the library network, named “Nuevo Amanecer”, which means “New Sunrise”, located in Cabricán, Quetzaltenango, has created an alliance with a local school called La Asunción that serves more than 100 indigenous girls.  This alliance consists in supporting the school in activities that enhance the participation of these girls in socio-cultural activities, as well as those that improve their Spanish vocabulary, without disregarding their native language, which is Mam.  These activities at the community library include interactive story reading hours, artistic contests in their native language, workshops about Mayan epigraphy and book clubs.

Through this program these young girls have the chance to become more involved in their community, while they develop their reading habit and writing skills.  This has also helped them to understand better the use of computers.

Like Apsin Lineth López, a 12 years old girl, said “ever since I started coming to the library I have read books about tales and stories, history, and this has helped me with my studies and with my teachers.  It has also helped me improve my writing and the computer use.  I have always liked to come to the library because I like to learn new things, to see new books and other things, thank you”.

While the community library keeps attracting more children to visit and improve their education, we are trying to find ways to have a more stable internet connection and more computers to attend the increasing number of children and teenagers looking for our support.  Thanks a lot for yours!