First, we gave books to girls and they are reading. Now they want to learn computer skills which will connect them to the global community and also give them job skills. Women in our communities are also using the internet to find global markets for their handicrafts. This project is earmarked for a completely indigenous community in Guatemala. In spite of its rural location this is a progressive community with standing room only for their existing aging computers.
The library serves as a community center for a number of remote, rural communities with a total population of about 10,000. Girls (Teenagers and children) with high exclusion level. High level of poverty and access to education and information.
The Riecken proposal is based on the idea that when girls in rural communities strengthen their leadership skills and abilities, and are provided participation to promote the women and children rights at the community level, there will be an increase in positive community development and improvement of quality of life in the communities. When girls learn to self-organize and work in a coordinated manner, they increase their community standing.
This project will bring this community into the 21st century by giving them the resources to "leapfrog" traditional education which is mediocre at best in Honduras. Project will generate opportunities for a change in girls' reality from rural communities in Honduras.
