All photos copyright Marlisa Clapp, MCD Studios
Never
forget,
“A
small group of
thoughtful people
could change the
world. Indeed, it’s
the only thing that
ever
has.”
— Margaret Meade
The
Project
Books for the Kids Libros
para los Niños is a project dedicated to building a small
library for the village of San Antonio La Nueva Esperanza, a
poor Mayan village high in the mountains of Guatemala. The library will
be built at Colegio La Libertad, a middle school in the village,
and will serve as a resource for approximately 9,000 people—the
residents of San Antonio La Nueva Esperanza as well as eight
surrounding villages.
Libros para los Niños was begun by Marlisa Clapp, who
has volunteered with Colegio La Libertad since 2005. Marlisa,
who’s professional background is in book publishing, brought five
books to the school when she visited in spring 2006. Seeing how the students
devoured these five simple children’s stories, she committed herself
to helping the founders of Colegio La Libertad build a library.
The Village
San Antonio La Nueva Esperanza was formed
in the aftermath of Guatemala’s
brutal 34-year civil war that left more than 150,000 dead, 50,000 missing,
one
million internally displaced, and 100,000 refugees. Three out of every
four victims in the war were indigenous people.
In 1998, approximately 200 families were relocated to this newly created
village,
where they make a living as subsistence farmers. The location is extremely
rural, with no roads, no reliable access to electricity or health care.
The School
Colegio La Libertad is a middle school founded
in 2001 by a South African
couple, Greg and Helaine Walton. They started the school with six pupils
and
by 2006 the enrollment had grown to 75 students from eight different villages.
After school, adults receive primary level instruction in reading and
writing. The education program has expanded to include agricultural instruction,
including
the planting of different traditional and non traditional crops, animal
husbandry
and reforestation.
As the school has grown so has the infrastructure. Village parents and
students gave many hours of time and labor for the construction, which
is a great source
of pride and satisfaction for the people.
The Need
Guatemala has an illiteracy rate of nearly 30% for adults, the highest
in Latin America. Many adults cannot read or write their names. Among
indigenous people, illiteracy rates are even more alarming. For Example,
65% of adults in San Antonio La Nueva Esperana, cannot read or write.
How can these statistics change?
Presently there are no books available in the region for reading, research
or training.
Just think:
• How can teachers at
the elementary or middle school level teach with no books?
• How can children learn creativity – or imagine a different
life — with no stories to read?
• How can adults learn to be self-sufficient with no access to information
about
developments in agriculture?
The Goal
To build the structure: $10,000
Just as the school was built, the library will be built by the people
of the village. Construction costs are moderate, but will include the
need for raw materials, foundation work, and the finished carpentry for
such things as interior shelves and desks.
To stock the library: $100,000
We’re actively seeking donations of Spanish reading materials (and
some English)
– both for pleasure as well as complete curriculum sets for the
primary and middle school. Donations can be gifts-in-kind – actual
books – as well as funds toward
purchasing books. (See below)
To Support
Buy a block: $100
Our goal is to sell 100 blocks to raise the funds necessary for construction.
All those
who purchase blocks will be recognized on a permanent plaque inside the
library.
Buy a book: $20
We’re committed to stocking the library with 5,000 books, both through
individual donations and gifts-in-kind. Donors will be recognized with
a commemorative
bookplate, inscribed as they wish, which will be placed inside the book.
In-Kind Donations
Spanish and English language reading materials – both books for
pleasure and school curricular materials —will be gladly accepted.
More Information
For in-kind gifts or for more information, call Marlisa at 781-834-9450,
email m@mcdstudios.com
To Donate
Make check payable to Books for the Kids and mail to:
Books for the Kids • c/o Marlisa Clapp • 871A Webster Street
• Marshfield, MA 02050
Books for the Kids/Libros para los Niños is currently filing
for non-profit status in the state of Massachusetts.
PHOTOS
SEE PHOTOS
OF LIBRARY IN CONSTRUCTION - updated August 30th