Featured Partners September 2010
The Melotto School: The Power of Opportunity
Before
The Mellotto School is a perfect example of how the equation of poverty fueled by a poor education system can be dramatically changed. What you see in the before picture is a dismal “library” painted institutional green with few books, many of which were of no use other than to take up shelf space. There was no librarian, no reading programs and no possibility of a child being able to have a book to read, let alone take one home to read.
After
In approximately 2 years all of this has changed. And Melotto has become another example of the success that can be achieved when committed local people are given basic resources and skills - the simple opportunity to succeed.
This bleak space has been turned into a bright joyous place of learning. There is now a wonderful dedicated librarian, brightly colored walls, a lending program and children’s reading programs that have filled beyond capacity with young children eager to learn. The only complaint is that the children wish there were more books. Many have consumed literally every book available and are rereading their favorites. To build on this success we have begun teacher training programs to bring reading more directly into the classrooms.
You can really get a sense of the impact all of this is having on the children by watching this video of María Ines Guerra, a teacher at Melotto, talking about the influence this has had on her young students.
All of this happens by giving passionate and committed local individuals the opportunity to build a brighter future for their children and their community. An opportunity that would not exist without your thoughtful support.
Students checking out books at the Melotto Library
