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.

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?

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