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.

DOWNLOAD PDF OF INFORMATION

PHOTOS
SEE PHOTOS OF LIBRARY IN CONSTRUCTION - updated August 30th