Libraries and Literacy
Communities in Action
It has long been recognized that one of the best if not the best way to attack the roots of poverty is through education.
In Guatemala the public schools are under-funded government-run institutions that are difficult to change. The Schools have few supplies, virtually no textbooks, and essentially zero reading material. As a result, “learning” is reduced to children that simply copy from a black board and engage in rote memorization.
In addition to the lack of reading material, the unionized teachers generally receive little training in literacy education. This is compounded by the fact that the teachers are Spanish speaking, but the children of illiterate families are not. They speak an indigenous Indian language. This woeful lack of resources and poor teacher training creates a recipe for failure. While the average Guatemalan child only receives 3 years of schooling. The average rural indigenous child receives an even more pitiful 1½ years.
Child Aid is attacking these problems on multiple fronts.
• First, by working with communities to create libraries with skilled librarians. Libraries where children can have access to textbooks, literature and active reading programs. Read More
• Second, by having students attend special “reading hour” classes at the libraries or having librarians go to into the schools where they conduct special reading programs. Read More
• Third, by training teachers in the unique skills of active reading, including literacy-teaching methods, and the techniques for creating reading programs in their classrooms. Read More
