Books, Books, Books!

The Policemen Read

Books are an essential part of learning.   In Nicaragua there are very few books children are allowed to hold, look at and most importantly read.    Part of my job in preparation for opening the new school in Matagalpa is to help the model school Nejapa start a lending library at the school.   Nejapa has been blessed with donations of books over the past few years.   Sadly, the books are not being used because they are not allowed to leave the room they are currently stored in.

Three people from a small barrio learning about libraries too and Jane and Kenya

Jane is the director of the first lending library in San Juan Del Sur.   She has helped many people around the country open libraries for children and families.    Kenya, the administrative assistant and "librarian" for Nejapa and I had the opportunity to visit Jane and learn from her experience with Nicaraguan Libraries. 

Choosing our 100 books

Kenya and I spent two full days at the library learning and taking copious notes.   It was so fun to see Kenya coming up with all kinds of ideas for the library at Nejapa.   The opportunity to see a real lending library in action was a first for her.   We were able to purchase the start up kit to get things started.   As a part of the kit we got to pick out 100 books.    It was like letting kids loose in the candy store.

Carey, Kenya and Jane