By Paco Alcaide | Regional Director
“I am part of the group of women at library in San Juan Chamelco. I have had a very difficult life, for many years I was a victim of physical and psychological violence and now I have been able to overcome. Through learning now I can use the computer that has allowed me to develop socially, besides researching how to support to other women victim of violence" says a women benefited by Women for success project of Gabriela Mistral Library, in San Juan Chamelco (Guatemala).
One of the greatest successes of Riecken Community Libraries is how women develop their emotional skills to get ahead. They strengthen their leadership skills and social commitment as individuals. Teamwork and planning means that they themselves can visualize a future of success.
Once women’s group is cohesive, libraries begin to promote entrepreneurial ideas and business skills to improve self-esteem, their personal economy and above all, manage their own lives. Like Miriam, many suffer violence at home or their level of self-esteem is very low. Libraries are a safe and pleasant place to live together.
The Riecken Guatemala Foundation empowers girls and women through its network of community libraries.
Ka´k Nojib´al community library in Xolsacmaljá (Totonicapán) is improving two women entrepreneurship initiatives. These initiatives are beneficiating 12 women who are producing eggs and artisanal fabrics for baby clothes. However, the big impact is the reduction of rural women's poverty. In the 2018 first quarterly, they have generated an average of 2,000 USD with the sales of their products.
Learn more about the work of the Riecken Foundation and its network of community libraries in Guatemala.
Links:
Project reports on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.org by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.
If you donate to this project or have donated to this project, you can receive an email when this project posts a report. You can also subscribe for reports without donating.
