Library empowers Girls & Women in coastal Ecuador

Rural communities like Don Juan, a tiny fishing village in the coast of Ecuador have historically been neglected; therefore leaving us to turn to each other in troubled times. Last year, in the midst of lockdown María (39) was diagnosed with cancer of the uterus, after crying her heart out, she collected herself and went to her neighbor to discuss her situation: despite the risks, Maria and her husband would have to go to the city for medical help, leaving Carlos (12) and Rami (14) at home. Nancy, her neighbor, immediately offered to take care of the boys, feed them daily and include them in her routine along with her own children. 

We, at Fundación A mano manaba, live and work immersed in this spirit of mutual support. When the Ministry of Education announced distance learning as a solution to school closing,  disregarding the reality of rural communities where there is no internet, no computers, and no parental guidance, we turned to our neighbors who would contract and share internet connection and gave them laptops collected by our volunteers in Quito.

Our work has never been so needed. After a year of the closing of the schools, what FAMM does from this small fishing village keeps those who decide to educate themselves afloat. The gap between the children of middle and upper-middle class residing in the city and the children of the rural area is soaring.  However, we remain hopeful due to the ongoing change that happens in the library. As an example, I´d like to share Luca´s story with you.

Lucas (15) suffers from a heart condition that prevented him from going out fishing with his peers, once diagnosed he withdrew to his room and became gloomy and sedentary. How is a boy -unable to fish- supposed to acquire a sense of self in the middle of a fishing village? His younger brother, Sam (8) has long been a cheerful presence in the library. Normally, our day starts with his unmistakable call: I'm here! One Friday afternoon, when leaving with the book that would keep him busy during the weekend, Sam  asked for the first volume of Harry Potter, for his brother Luca. I told him that we would gladly give Luca that book whenever he chose to come and ask for it.  Monday morning, Sam proudly marched in with his brother Luca, a tall and enigmatic boy, his eyes barely appearing under a winter cap (on a 82 day!) and the mandatory mask. I went out to greet him, but I realized right away that he did not want to draw attention, he took the book, thanked me and left. The following week he returned for the second volume, this time he chose a corner from where he observed the activity of the library.-concealed behind Harry Potter Vol 2, the winter cap and the mask-   That afternoon he returned and sat at a work table where we were doing math, he clearly mastered it. Soon the other children asked for his help. On Friday, game day at the library, Luis arrived without his winter cap, chatted with the other boys and girls his age, made friends, played baseball, chess, and laughed. 

Now Sam and his brothers Luca and Jerry arrive every day, Luca prefers to do homework at home and thus spends his time with the technology club where, together with his friends, they are learning powerpoint, video editing and design. He usually walks around the work tables where others are doing their homework and offers to help. He has learned to patiently explain the subject until the other understands and is able to do it by herself.  Luca has turned into a leader for boys and girls. We all appreciate his calm demeanour and kindness.  

We believe that like for Luca, the library has changed the lives of many, here he knows that his skills are valuable and that he can continue to explore his interests, he knows that education will open doors and above all, he has understood, like every other child that arrives every day to do their homework, read or join a club, that although compulsory school is closed, education is a decision one makes, nobody can impose it on us or -as long as there's a nearby library-  keep it from us.

As you see, what we do at the A mano manaba Library has never been more opportune and we are able to do it with your help. You should be proud to know that your contribution is our main source of income. You are supporting this liberating library full of books, computers, and knowledgeable and friendly librarians.  Please consider visiting your Library in Don Juan.   It will make us very happy to have you.