Hey everyone,
Haven't posted in a while, but a lot has been going on. Here's a brief overview:
Computers: buying 5 in good condition with new keyboards from Cesar at $300 a piece, using the money I received from Hopkins
Books: All kinds of stuff going on. Cesar found a market where they sell used books for really cheap in Tegucigalpa (the capital city) and so were going there on Monday.
Cesar also talked to the owners of a private school here in Sigua, who told him that they would be donating books and material as soon as they are finished organizing their own library and know what they no longer need for their school. But they are sure they will have things to donate.
Talked to the principal of the big public high school here, who is also the owner of the only book store in town. And happened to have founded two libraries himself 2 years ago. So he knows what he's doing. He promised to give me about 20 books, to guide me through the process of connecting this library to the national library network (which guarantees them about 80 new books a year), to show me which books to buy, and to give me a discount on any of the ones I buy from his store.
So the plan is: Cesar, Claire and I are going to his store on Saturday morning so he can show us which books we should be getting. We will take note, then check on Monday how many we can get secondhand. Then buy the rest new, and perhaps add our own.
The goal is to have a lot of books, so with limited funds I wanted to make sure that I could get a lot (hence buying used books). But I also want the library to be attractive, so I want to have a decent amount of new books as well. The teachers of the younger kids also wanted to have books to teach kids how to read, so I think we will be buying some of those, as well a some learning materials for the school.
That principal is also going to help me organize the community into what he calls a 'Comite' that is charged with keeping track of all the books and events, to make sure that the library stays up and running over time. Though he suggested that it only be run by youth, from my experience talking with the parents and how excited they are about the project, I think a combination of youth and parents to jointly organize and manage the library would be perfect. Next week I'll be working on setting that up.
Because it is so cheap and would be so helpful for the school, I think I will be paying to put electricity in all of the other classrooms. As of now they only have it in one room, and to extend that to the other rooms would cost about 50 dollars, something I think is worth it. That way we could house the computers in a much more secure classroom and wouldn't have to worry as much about people stealing them. Still some security worries though. Tey will have a new classroom built by December, and they will make sure that that one is secure so they can put the computers in there without worrying.
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
More computer info
Talked to Cesar today, he's said in the past that he was selling his internet cafe, but i didn't think he was serious. Now he told me that its actually happening, and that if i wanted he would sell me all the computers for cheap. He wants to sell me 5 computers. I really only want 3. But he would also be throwing in all the chairs, desks, software, everything in with the price of the computers. Which is probably worth it. I told him that I wanted to have a lot of money left with which to buy books, because I wanted to be sure that I wasnt just setting up computers.
In that case, he told me he would talk to people at the private schools (he knows just about everyone important in Siguatepeque) and would ask if they had books for kids that they could donate. And if not that we could go to the capital and find the used book store and so get more books for our money. Im kind of trying to rope him into finding as many books as possible before I buy the computers from him.
In other news, still unsure about the teachers. I didn't quite understand what happened, but for some reason someone didnt want the teachers to sign "blank contracts" which was what the Promotor showed up with today. So they still haven't signed anything. But it still seems better than it was before. If not though, I think I'll just work through the community members rather than the teachers, and make sure that they run the place themselves.
In that case, he told me he would talk to people at the private schools (he knows just about everyone important in Siguatepeque) and would ask if they had books for kids that they could donate. And if not that we could go to the capital and find the used book store and so get more books for our money. Im kind of trying to rope him into finding as many books as possible before I buy the computers from him.
In other news, still unsure about the teachers. I didn't quite understand what happened, but for some reason someone didnt want the teachers to sign "blank contracts" which was what the Promotor showed up with today. So they still haven't signed anything. But it still seems better than it was before. If not though, I think I'll just work through the community members rather than the teachers, and make sure that they run the place themselves.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
July 6th
I talked to education guy at Proyecto Aldea Global, who told me that he would help with the library, and would also be open to being interviewed for my research. He said that I should have a meeting of the community members, and that it could stay in the same community regardless of whether the teachers change. He also said that all in all it would take about a week to set up. I doubt his optimism because off all the security and internet issues. But its nice to hear someone who knows what hes doing say that he would help. That way I know I can ask him questions when I go to start setting things up.
July 7th
Today I sat in on a meeting of the community members (about 50 mothers and not a few babies), the teachers, a representative of the PROHECO and the teachers' lawyer. I learned a few things about the structure of the school and the way everything works around here.
First of all, the school doesn't really get any funding except for to pay the teachers. And sometimes to buy new books. All other work, painting, repairs, small construction projects...all comes directly out of the pockets of the community. The school is run under a project called PROHECO, which basically stands for community involvement in the administration of schools. Only some of the schools in Honduras are part of the project. I think (I'll have to research this more) that it's funded in part by the World Bank. In any case, this school is partly funded by the World Bank. And so they argued that the government really didn't have the ability to void their contracts like they said they did. The teachers haven't been paid in months. Normally, WB and government funds get pooled and the teachers take their paycheck out of them, but these teachers haven't been able to get the money because the government said they were no longer eligible.
According to some papers published by the ECO, that the community members promptly produced in the meeting, an assembly has to be called before the ECO can do anything like changing the teachers. And they hadn't done that. In the meeting last week with the guy at the mayor's office, that was one of their demands. And that was why the 'Promotor' was there at the meeting today.
Many parents wanted to keep the teachers totally, but the Promotor (representative of the ECO) didn't want to. He said that it was a decision that 'came from above,' from politics rather than logic. BUT, one of the teachers, who I was sitting next to, told me that he definitely had the power to change that decision. Just that he might be punished. He just wasn't willing to stand up to them. It was really clear that what was happening was not necessarily legal, but rather just political. Which means that they couldn't really bring it to court, because the politics controls the courts.
At the meeting, the Promotor was on his heels, and stayed seated most of the time. A few of the community members really pushed him around. One of the big points of the final resolution was respect: that the ECO respect its own rules and that it respect the community with which it worked.
The final compromise, because it is true that in the end the politics are more powerful than a group like the ECO, was that the teachers would stay this year (and be paid for the months they worked for free) and that next year they would re negotiate contracts or bring in new teachers. But if new teachers do come, they have to be qualified.
On Friday, the teachers are re-negotiating their contracts.
I talked to education guy at Proyecto Aldea Global, who told me that he would help with the library, and would also be open to being interviewed for my research. He said that I should have a meeting of the community members, and that it could stay in the same community regardless of whether the teachers change. He also said that all in all it would take about a week to set up. I doubt his optimism because off all the security and internet issues. But its nice to hear someone who knows what hes doing say that he would help. That way I know I can ask him questions when I go to start setting things up.
July 7th
Today I sat in on a meeting of the community members (about 50 mothers and not a few babies), the teachers, a representative of the PROHECO and the teachers' lawyer. I learned a few things about the structure of the school and the way everything works around here.
First of all, the school doesn't really get any funding except for to pay the teachers. And sometimes to buy new books. All other work, painting, repairs, small construction projects...all comes directly out of the pockets of the community. The school is run under a project called PROHECO, which basically stands for community involvement in the administration of schools. Only some of the schools in Honduras are part of the project. I think (I'll have to research this more) that it's funded in part by the World Bank. In any case, this school is partly funded by the World Bank. And so they argued that the government really didn't have the ability to void their contracts like they said they did. The teachers haven't been paid in months. Normally, WB and government funds get pooled and the teachers take their paycheck out of them, but these teachers haven't been able to get the money because the government said they were no longer eligible.
According to some papers published by the ECO, that the community members promptly produced in the meeting, an assembly has to be called before the ECO can do anything like changing the teachers. And they hadn't done that. In the meeting last week with the guy at the mayor's office, that was one of their demands. And that was why the 'Promotor' was there at the meeting today.
Many parents wanted to keep the teachers totally, but the Promotor (representative of the ECO) didn't want to. He said that it was a decision that 'came from above,' from politics rather than logic. BUT, one of the teachers, who I was sitting next to, told me that he definitely had the power to change that decision. Just that he might be punished. He just wasn't willing to stand up to them. It was really clear that what was happening was not necessarily legal, but rather just political. Which means that they couldn't really bring it to court, because the politics controls the courts.
At the meeting, the Promotor was on his heels, and stayed seated most of the time. A few of the community members really pushed him around. One of the big points of the final resolution was respect: that the ECO respect its own rules and that it respect the community with which it worked.
The final compromise, because it is true that in the end the politics are more powerful than a group like the ECO, was that the teachers would stay this year (and be paid for the months they worked for free) and that next year they would re negotiate contracts or bring in new teachers. But if new teachers do come, they have to be qualified.
On Friday, the teachers are re-negotiating their contracts.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Fight the power!
This morning I marched with the school parents into the mayors office, to talk about the change in teachers. There were about 30 of us, and we filled up the room of the guy we were talking to, who seemed like he felt pressured into doing something. But it appears he will be looking into the matter for us, and we should have an answer by Monday. He seemed pretty positive that the principal of the school will stay, which bodes well for the library. The community kind of told me to give him an ultimatum that what I was bringing wouldn't actually happen unless they did as the community asked, so I had a few minutes to tell him about what I was doing and why I was there with them, and I think it helped.
But so far we have no definite answer, it was clear how little he wanted to take ownership of the situation. I didn't really know his position, but he was in the office of community development. We would have talked to the mayor, but he was 'sick' and not in his office. (in quotation marks because everyone else doubted the truthfulness)
More news on Monday then.
But so far we have no definite answer, it was clear how little he wanted to take ownership of the situation. I didn't really know his position, but he was in the office of community development. We would have talked to the mayor, but he was 'sick' and not in his office. (in quotation marks because everyone else doubted the truthfulness)
More news on Monday then.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Bad news.
With the change in government (which happened exactly a year from two days ago), a lot of other things have been changing in the country, and almost all hurt the poorer people the most. One of the latest, around here and all over the country, is that municipalities and local governments, with the backing of the federal government in the form of a national decree, have been changing the teachers in schools to ones that agree with the new government. One of the biggest problems, which they dont seem to care much about, is that they dont have enough qualified teachers with that criteria to fill the roles. So what happens is that unqualified political favorites get placed in the schools, and the kids are the ones who lose out. And it usually happens in the poorer neighborhoods, that dont have much of a say in what happens.
So far the government has been getting its way basically throughout the country. Some in the press have been brave enough to write about it, but it hasnt changed the course of whats happening.
The reason that this affects me and my project is that this is exactly what is happening at the school where I worked, La Escuela Canada. The teachers only found out about it a few weeks ago, and they have been fighting to stop it ever since. but it looks like the government will get its way, and the entire staff will be replaced by "Nationalistas," including the principal who I was working closest with.
Yesterday, the situation looked a little more hopeful. I was at a meeting of about 50 community members and the principal, where they vowed not to let this happen. The general result of the meeting was that they had to keep the principal, and that if new teachers were sent that they had to actually be teachers, and not just high school grads. Their threat was to stop sending their children to school this year, and to make it extremely public. I spoke at the meeting, and explained my project to the people in the community, who were extremely happy to have such a project in their neighborhood, and even voted unanimously to pool together and pay for someone to act as a security guard for the computers and books.
After returning this morning, however, the situation looked a lot more dire. Apparently the mayor didnt even listen to their demands, and the old staff is being kicked out tomorrow. I spent the morning with the kids rearranging the books and taking inventory of what the school had. The principal said she still wants to work with me, but that she and the community decided that my project should take place in another school, so other kids will be able to use the library without the interference of the government. She advised me to go talk to Proyecto Aldea Global, the biggest NGO in town dealing with social affairs, about finding another school.
As of now, my project kind of remains in limbo. Everything happened so quickly, it was impossible to predict it. Ill still be returning to the community, to talk to the kids and their families, but until I find another school willing to host the library.
With the change in government (which happened exactly a year from two days ago), a lot of other things have been changing in the country, and almost all hurt the poorer people the most. One of the latest, around here and all over the country, is that municipalities and local governments, with the backing of the federal government in the form of a national decree, have been changing the teachers in schools to ones that agree with the new government. One of the biggest problems, which they dont seem to care much about, is that they dont have enough qualified teachers with that criteria to fill the roles. So what happens is that unqualified political favorites get placed in the schools, and the kids are the ones who lose out. And it usually happens in the poorer neighborhoods, that dont have much of a say in what happens.
So far the government has been getting its way basically throughout the country. Some in the press have been brave enough to write about it, but it hasnt changed the course of whats happening.
The reason that this affects me and my project is that this is exactly what is happening at the school where I worked, La Escuela Canada. The teachers only found out about it a few weeks ago, and they have been fighting to stop it ever since. but it looks like the government will get its way, and the entire staff will be replaced by "Nationalistas," including the principal who I was working closest with.
Yesterday, the situation looked a little more hopeful. I was at a meeting of about 50 community members and the principal, where they vowed not to let this happen. The general result of the meeting was that they had to keep the principal, and that if new teachers were sent that they had to actually be teachers, and not just high school grads. Their threat was to stop sending their children to school this year, and to make it extremely public. I spoke at the meeting, and explained my project to the people in the community, who were extremely happy to have such a project in their neighborhood, and even voted unanimously to pool together and pay for someone to act as a security guard for the computers and books.
After returning this morning, however, the situation looked a lot more dire. Apparently the mayor didnt even listen to their demands, and the old staff is being kicked out tomorrow. I spent the morning with the kids rearranging the books and taking inventory of what the school had. The principal said she still wants to work with me, but that she and the community decided that my project should take place in another school, so other kids will be able to use the library without the interference of the government. She advised me to go talk to Proyecto Aldea Global, the biggest NGO in town dealing with social affairs, about finding another school.
As of now, my project kind of remains in limbo. Everything happened so quickly, it was impossible to predict it. Ill still be returning to the community, to talk to the kids and their families, but until I find another school willing to host the library.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Getting Started, and new opinions.
A different opinion, and questions about it. As soon as I arrived, after telling people what my plans were, I started getting a lot of feedback. The strongest opinion (first from Cesar but later from others) was that I should be spending money on computers instead of on books, because not only can you read from computers but they’re useful for a lot of other things too. And they could be used by more of the community because they can target everyone. I also found out that because Siguatepeque is the only zone in the whole country where every village is connected to electricity, the national government has elected to provide and pay for internet in any school that wants it.
A good computer costs around $400. Don’t know yet on the software prices or anti-virus programs or anything. Good thing I have Cesar (my friend Jose’s brother-in-law who owns a café in town) around though, because he knows how to run an internet café.
Some of the worries with computers definitely start with security. And then upkeep. Kind of related, especially because a lot of the upkeep will be from keeping the computers secure from thieves as well as viruses and the like. I saw in the municipal budget that they plan on building a wall around the school. That would help with security a little bit. But it still wouldn’t be easy. I heard somewhere (I cant quite remember exactly or from who) that people in the community said that they would pay for security. I definitely don’t know that for sure though. I don’t think its easy to keep all the computers in good condition either. Especially because I doubt that anyone around there has any real experience with computers.
I’m still waiting to talk to Gladis, the principal of the school. I went up this morning (for the second time) and there was no one there. I called Gladis and she told me to come tomorrow morning. I think her opinion is the most important at this point. In the past, she has told me that the school would really appreciate some computers, but I don’t know if in talking about the logistics and difficulties of it she would change her mind.
At this point what I am most seriously considering is doing a mix of both, which, as my mom pointed out, is how most modern libraries are now. As such, I would buy maybe 3 computers and then spend the rest of the money on books. I am considering focusing the library on younger children, so as not to spread it too thin over all of the ages. However, reading levels are not very high; except for the youngest almost all of the students can read, but not extremely well. But I’m debating whether putting only easy books would put an artificial ceiling on reading levels. Is it better to have a lot more books at a levels kids can read, or better to have more levels so they eventually read more complicated stuff?
A good computer costs around $400. Don’t know yet on the software prices or anti-virus programs or anything. Good thing I have Cesar (my friend Jose’s brother-in-law who owns a café in town) around though, because he knows how to run an internet café.
Some of the worries with computers definitely start with security. And then upkeep. Kind of related, especially because a lot of the upkeep will be from keeping the computers secure from thieves as well as viruses and the like. I saw in the municipal budget that they plan on building a wall around the school. That would help with security a little bit. But it still wouldn’t be easy. I heard somewhere (I cant quite remember exactly or from who) that people in the community said that they would pay for security. I definitely don’t know that for sure though. I don’t think its easy to keep all the computers in good condition either. Especially because I doubt that anyone around there has any real experience with computers.
I’m still waiting to talk to Gladis, the principal of the school. I went up this morning (for the second time) and there was no one there. I called Gladis and she told me to come tomorrow morning. I think her opinion is the most important at this point. In the past, she has told me that the school would really appreciate some computers, but I don’t know if in talking about the logistics and difficulties of it she would change her mind.
At this point what I am most seriously considering is doing a mix of both, which, as my mom pointed out, is how most modern libraries are now. As such, I would buy maybe 3 computers and then spend the rest of the money on books. I am considering focusing the library on younger children, so as not to spread it too thin over all of the ages. However, reading levels are not very high; except for the youngest almost all of the students can read, but not extremely well. But I’m debating whether putting only easy books would put an artificial ceiling on reading levels. Is it better to have a lot more books at a levels kids can read, or better to have more levels so they eventually read more complicated stuff?
Monday, June 21, 2010
Hi everyone!
Though I'm still in Pittsburgh, I'm leaving this afternoon and I decided to make a blog so I can keep everyone updated on how things are going. I'll be posting pictures and information on here for anyone who is interested in following the project's progress!
Updates soon when I arrive!
Nick
Though I'm still in Pittsburgh, I'm leaving this afternoon and I decided to make a blog so I can keep everyone updated on how things are going. I'll be posting pictures and information on here for anyone who is interested in following the project's progress!
Updates soon when I arrive!
Nick
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