Wednesday, September 29, 2010

It's done.

We inaugurated the Library last Wednesday, 22nd of September in front of the building with the mayor, here's the blurb I wrote for the Peace Corps Washington Bulletin: (the local and national news came too, I'm trying to get a copy of the footage to load on youtube)

Modern Public Library Opening in Jocotán, Chiquimula
Peace Corps Guatemala is proud to report that Wednesday morning on September 22nd 2010 the project “Creating a Modern Library” was inaugurated in the Municipality of Jocotán, Chiquimula. The project coordinator and Peace Corps Volunteer, Robin Mae Schick, celebrated this day with local children, parents, teachers, the director of the health center, school principals, superintendents, municipal co-workers, members of the town council, and the mayor of Jocotán, Ramón Diaz. Representatives from Peace Corps, Save the Children, Outreach for World Hope, USAID – Education Reform in the Classroom, and the Riecken Foundation, whom have all supported this project, were also present. The inauguration was directed by the newly formed Jocotán Community Library Board of Directors who now takes ownership of the project and will be responsible for supporting the activities of the library along with the Mayor’s office. The Municipal Library “Hector Manuel Vasquez Lopez” of Jocotán has been completely changed, what once was a closet with old dusty books and cracked walls is now an active, community-based, modern, educational center with a new attitude. The Library of Jocotán currently offers more than 1,000 new books, 6 computers, a children’s corner full of interactive resources, a multi-use photocopier, a white board, a comfortable sofa and arm chair, and much more to create a functional and inviting space. This change would have not been possible without donations from the above mentioned institutions along with Computers for Guatemala, the National Library of Guatemala, the Rotary Club of Chiquimula, Grace Methodist Church, several private donors from the United States, and various book donations from many. Furthermore the project is awaiting the connection to high-speed internet donated by the Mancomunidad Copán-Chorti, and 2 full set encyclopedias donated from Encyclopedia Britannica which are currently on their way to Guatemala. Access to public information is a fundamental part of development, especially here in Guatemala. This project gives neighbors of Jocotán a real opportunity to continue learning each day and teach their children how to achieve a better future with the power of education.
 

It's almost over!!!! haha, it's been great but I can't wait to come home and see everyone.

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Board of Directors Search

Here's a quick update about what's been going on other than mudslides and lots of rain.

We're working so hard in the library but it's really coming along and I'm so excited!!!!  The inauguration date is the 22nd of September and I'm hoping to have the the Board of Directors formed and ready by the 17th.  I've been busy doing an inventory of all the donations, legalizing the responsibilities with the mayor, along with computer installations, painting doors, and hanging whiteboards.

Here are photos, of all the activity: