Early Childhood Literacy & Nutrition in Guatemala

Riecken Community Libraries contribute directly to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by promoting inclusive and sustainable development at the community level. Their programs support quality education (SDG 4), gender equality (SDG 5), and decent work and economic growth (SDG 8), with a strong focus on strengthening local capacities. Through literacy, skills training, and community engagement, these libraries create safe and accessible spaces where people—especially women and families—can develop knowledge, confidence, and opportunities to improve their living conditions.

A clear example of this impact is the testimony of Arelys , from the El Tejar Community Library in Guatemala. As she explains:

“Community libraries are linked to the Sustainable Development Goals, especially in the economic area, where inclusive and sustainable growth is promoted. The El Tejar Community Library promotes actions that strengthen women’s capacities with the purpose of improving the economic sustainability of the family.”

Arelys, a 30-year-old woman, describes how before joining the library she lived a routine life without opportunities to discover her abilities. Through her participation in a women’s group focused on leadership, participation, and household economic improvement, she states: “These spaces have allowed me to recognize my values, my potential, and to believe in my abilities to achieve my goals.”

The library has become a place of growth and empowerment for Arelys, enabling her to become an active volunteer and to apply the skills she has learned in income generation and personal development. This process helped her receive support from an organization to build her home, while her new economic skills will allow her to finance its cost in the short term. 

As she shares: “I feel more motivated and enthusiastic to face new challenges and grateful for the opportunity to be part of the library, where there is surely much more to learn. Through the library’s activities and programs, I have been able to spend quality time with my daughter and strengthen our relationship. I want to continue learning and growing as a person, and the library will be a key resource to achieve this.”

Introducing the modern American library to Central America has brought positive change to the lives of individuals, their families, and their communities. As a key driver of this new paradigm, Riecken Community Libraries celebrates a culture and tradition of innovation each time one of its libraries opens its doors.  In this process Riecken is proud to advocate for its partners and the US values Riecken brings to the region. But the most important thing of all is that it will be the same community, represented by volunteer community leaders, that will transparently oversee the management of the library, and, by extension, leading programming based on access to information, reading and participation. youth. Programming aimed at the development of your community.

The three libraries which have built with the support of ASHA/USAID are opened and have begun to offer their information access services and reading programming to their communities. The Toj Suj / Senderos de Conocimiento Community Library (Paths of Knowledge) in Palestina de los Altos (Quetzaltenango) was opened on On January 25, 2024, the Forjando Mentes Brillantes Community Library (Building Brilliant Minds) in El Tejar (Chimaltenango), on January 28, and on September 26, the Tierra Fértil Community Library (Fertile Land) in Catarina, San Marcos opened its doors to the community this last September.

In the town of El Tejar, Chimaltenango, Guatemala, Forjando Mentes Brillantes community library has become much more than a place for books. It is a space where children, youth, and families find access to reading, information, and technology. Guided by principles of inclusion and equality, the library fosters civic participation and encourages local volunteerism, especially among young people who are learning the value of social commitment.

One inspiring example is Dulce Judith, a 20-year-old volunteer who has dedicated her time to supporting children’s programs at the library. Her commitment did not go unnoticed: through her volunteer service, she became eligible for a scholarship program supported by the BFB Foundation.

“For me, continuing my studies seemed impossible because of financial challenges,” Dulce shares. “Volunteering at the library has changed my life in ways I never imagined.”

With the scholarship, Dulce is now pursuing her dream of becoming a nurse. She has successfully completed her first semester of university and feels motivated to keep moving forward. “This opportunity has allowed me to grow as a person, develop my skills, and work toward supporting my community,” she says.

For Dulce, education is not only a personal achievement but also a way to give back. Thanks to the support of the library and the BFB Foundation, she now feels confident, hopeful, and equipped to reach her goals. Her journey shows how community libraries, volunteerism, and educational opportunities can open doors to brighter futures.

Riecken Community Libraries are a social platform and an essential space for the social cohesion present in 14 communities in Guatemala and 52 communities in Honduras. Learn more about the work of the Riecken Foundation and its network of community libraries in Guatemala and Honduras.