Over 5 years ago, Karen Hedrick, a retired teacher from San Diego and I chatted excitedly over a cup of coffee about our shared dream of creating a children's library for the community of Santiago Atitlan. We both loved books and children and were inspired to share the gift of reading with the children of Santiago Atitlan. Little did I know that our casual conversation would transform into La Puerta Abierta Children's Library. Karen and I co-founded La Puerta Abierta in January of 2007. Throughout the past five years, we've developed a center which hosts story hours, lends books, inspires creativity and critical thinking, brings book kits to rural communities, and serves our community as a safe and nurturing environment for Santiago youth.
This past May, Karen organized a service oriented trip for 5 of her friends (Patti, Anne, Annie, Terri, Sharon and Lauri) from Spokane Washington. The group spent one week volunteering in our center and surrounding schools. During their stay in Santiago, the group taught violin classes, donated eye-glasses to the elders, shared felt story boards with our students, participated in a letter exchange between Guatemalan and US students, and worked in Tzanchaj school to teach music and voice lessons to the older students.
In addition, Karen and friends organized a supply and book drive within their community and donated new books and materials to our center.
Muchas Gracias!
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