Early Childhood Literacy & Nutrition in Guatemala

COVID-19 and its economic and social effects are aggravated by underlying structural problems: mainly, the high levels of inequality, labor informality, lack of social protection, poverty and vulnerability. People also have large migratory flows and population displacements, as well as conflicts of various kinds, and suffer disproportionately from the consequences of the climate crisis. Faced with this situation… Wouldn't you look for a better life in another place? 

Migrating is a right but being forced to migrate, not. It is a matter of survival.

In a survey conducted at the end of 2021, 89% (of almost 900 people surveyed) said they know people who migrated in the last three years and only the 28% affirmed the number or migrants is low. The 73.5% of interviewed said they have a familiar or fired has migrated (normally to USA). Another way of reading these numbers is that 73.5% of families are broken. 

People migrate because they do not have essential educational and health services, there is no work, and levels of insecurity and violence increase. A sad reality that motivates us to make an effort so that libraries offer answers to the needs of their communities. 

We know that community libraries are not the only solution to the problem, but we do know that they help. In a survey conducted at the end of 2021, the 88.9% (of almost 900 people surveyed) said that libraries are a real help to their community. The 68.7% afirmed in their education, the 34.6% in their personal relationship, the 17.3% to obtain a job and the 18.2% to have better health. 

Riecken Community Libraries are a valuable resource that offer limited answers to a big problem. Riecken Foundation believes that strong and vibrant community libraries can have a positive impact on the development of Central America. Libraries offer answers, according to their capacities in matters of health, safety, education, and professional development, making alliances with other local partners.

An example of this situation: Gabriela Mistral Library in San Juan Chameco in Guatemala. For the last 3 years, there has been a stable group of women who have participated in an economic empowerment project, organized by the Gabriela Mistral Library with the support of other local organizations. And with the support of the Riecken Foundation, the savings and loan group (Mano a Mano) continues to promote savings to support its entrepreneurial initiatives; Similarly, the library offers the opportunity for participating women to use technology and information.

Another example of how the community libraries can change lives in linked to young people. Through the youth reading program, Brilliant Minds, the leadership and informational skills of young people are strengthened, as well as leadership values, creativity, responsibility, honesty, teamwork, trust and, above all, a resilient spirit.  

In this library, a group of young people was organized who ended up getting involved in other library activities, as volunteers. They supported activities of Club de Lectores, Brilliant Minds and Early childhood Reading Stimulation. In the meantime, they have begun to make their way through their working lives looking for their first jobs. And they affirm that having actively participated as volunteers and young readers they had the opportunity to strengthen the soft skills that the work context requires and this has made it easier for them to find a job. The library changed their lives.

Riecken Community Libraries are a social platform and an essential space for the social cohesion present in 11 communities in Guatemala.

Learn more about the work of the Riecken Foundation and its network of community libraries in Guatemala.

Links:

• http://riecken.org