It started with a few small faces at the door. Can we see the books? They asked.
Child Aid’s new office located in Patzún, Guatemala, had just opened its doors In January 2018 and contained a model school library with books and displays used as a resource and training space for staff and teachers.
But word that books and games were around the corner had spread like wildfire amongst the children and parents in the community. And Child Aid team leaders Graciela Pichiya and Jorge Sanum had an idea. What about making use of the new office and the hundreds of books lining the brightly colored walls? Would the local kids show up if Child Aid opened its doors a few days each week, inviting them in to read books after school? The answer was a loud and joyful yes!
For the first few weeks almost no one came. But little by little, word got out to the families of Patzún that colorful, engaging books were available, and children began showing up, peering through the door, asking if they could read, too.
“The number of children who visit us is increasing because they tell their classmates and they get very excited because they do not have this kind of variety of books in their homes,” says Literacy Trainer Heidy Coyote.
The Patzún office, Child Aid’s second regional hub in Guatemala, was established to give Child Aid a base. Just to reach the many small, remote communities and schools in the area.
A room full of children’s books is a novelty in Guatemala, where books in homes are rare and even community libraries have few books of interest to children. The Patzún staff agreed it would be a shame if all of these great books were not in the hands of kids.
“We didn’t really have specific objectives or a plan of action,” says Landa. “We just thought we would give it a try and see what happens.”
Because of this experiment, Child Aid staffers learned how hungry the community is for learning resources and how a nimble and progressive organization can see a community need and meet it head-on.
The Patzún Reading Room is a hit with parents, too. Mothers with little ones in tow come asking if they can bring their youngsters to the reading space. One mother reached out to Heidi through social media.
“She told me through Facebook Messenger. Her 4 year-old son had seen children piling into the Child Aid offices to read and he wanted to join.” says Coyote. Today, that mother and her son are regulars at the Patzun Reading Room, along with nearly 30 other children from the community.
Now, afternoons at the Patzun office buzz with activity. Dozens of kids lounge on the floor or in beanbags, engrossed in books. Mothers read stories with their younger ones on their laps. Child Aid staffers lead group read-alouds and discussions. Groups of kids work on art projects on tables or play interactive learning games.
“It’s valuable time. Children interact with each other and develop critical thinking skills through the games that we play with them,” says Coyote.
Staffers also check out books to children interested in taking them home to read to their families.
For the Patzun staff, the experiment has turned into a valuable resource. For their community, it’s a place where children can have fun and learn at the same time.
“It’s an opportunity for us to be with the children in the evening. We can develop skills with them. We can make a difference in a community that wants to see literacy development in their children,” says Heidy Coyote.
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