Specific Needs
Specific Needs
We would like to point out to our supporters that the impact of a donation designated to CORAL or FUNDIT can be doubled this year by matching grants Child Aid has received. To read about these opportunities click here.
Below are some of the consistent needs that most of our partners simply cannot afford. At one large school where we held a training session recently, there were only 2 old dictionaries for the entire school in the small library.
Guatemala Needs
Librarian Salaries – Many communities cannot afford to pay more than a part time salary for a librarian and therefore can only keep the library open for short periods of time and cannot work with schools to bring reading into the classrooms.
COST: $2,000 – $3,500/year depending upon qualifications and location.
Children’s Reading Corner – Most libraries are ill suited for smaller children to use and we have been trying to create separate small reading corners that fit the size and space needs of smaller children. These include small colorful wooden tables and chairs, sized bookshelves, and rugs.
Cost: $1500/children’s area.
Books – Basic Reference and Textbooks in Spanish that are specific to a community’s schools and library are needed and must be purchased in Guatemala.
COST: $500/grade
Bookshelves – Many community libraries do not have sufficient shelving. The few that do exist are often poorly constructed from scrap lumber or angle iron. Good wooden Bookshelves can be made by local craftsmen to help tie the local community into the library and have them take pride in their library.
COST: $100/large three tiered shelf
Computers – Computers are needed so the children can search for their own books once the library is properly catalogued. At present the librarian often has to spend much of her/his time locating books for every single user.
COST: $300
Furniture – Tables, chairs, desks – Space to sit down is generally at a premium with children often having to wait outside or use the floor. Good tables, chairs and desks are always needed and can be made locally and purchased at a good price in Guatemala.
COST: $150 Large wooden table , $25 wooden chair
Carpets – Floors are generally cement or tile and very hard on young children when they get on the floor to hear a story read or to do projects related to their readings.
COST: $50/ 4 square meters
Educational Games and Toys – These items are wonderful for use in the children’s corners that we have helped our partners to create in some of the small libraries. It is a fun way to introduce the children at an early age to the library as an engaging resource center. Obviously, no such games or toys exist in their homes or schools.
COST: $10 - $50
Mexico Needs
Hearing Aids – Particularly for severely hearing impaired children the cost of proper hearing aids is way beyond what a family can afford. COST: $500/ear Often both ears are needed $1000/child
Hearing Testing Probe - These are extremely expensive items that have needed replacement.
Cost: $700
Hearing Testing Tips - Large numbers of these are used in the Early Detection Program for the infants and young children.
Cost: $200/year
Testing Creams - The clinic uses EEG pastes and gels during testing.
Cost:$100/year
Hearing Aid Batteries – Many families cannot afford the cost of hearing aid batteries that must be replaced often during the course of a year. COST: $50/year/child
