Saturday, April 13, 2013

Connections

I am inspired by the network of supporters that we have created around the world.  Throughout the past seven years, the story of La Puerta Abierta,  the first community  children's library in Santiago Atitlan, Guatemala,  has reached people near and far. 

Three years ago I was blessed to cross paths with Carol Hodges, a librarian from Tidewater Community College who by chance, stumbled across La Puerta Abierta while touring Central America.  She was moved by our efforts to share literacy and creative learning with the youth of our community and was instrumental in creating a sister library relationship between TCC and BPA.  Over the years, Carol has collected and donated meaningful and quality children's books to our library collection.



Last year  Carol connected with Kole Matheson, an instructor at TCC, who was impressed by our commitment to youth and was guided by compassion to help our center as well.  Kole and his wife Andrea organized a supply drive in 2012 collecting and delivering duffle bags packed with educational games, school materials and books for our community.


This year,  Andrea's thirteen year old daughter Julianna who participates in the Teen Leaders Club at the Great Bridge/Hickory YMCA shared the vision of La Puerta Abierta with her local youth group and inspired the teen community to donate to our center whole-heartedly.   Donation boxes quickly filled with glue sticks, glitter, pencils, stickers and paint destined for the children of Santiago Atitlan. 


Thank you Carol, Kole, Andrea, TCC and the Great Bridge/Hickory YMCA for spreading the story of La Puerta Abierta throughout your community and for sharing your kindness with the children of Santiago Atitlan.

As I reflect on the  trail of support that has been created by one serendipitous encounter with Carol three years ago, I am reminded that La Puerta Abierta truly is a community endeavor, a project that supports the community of Santiago Atitlan and a project that is supported by communities who believe in our work.   I am also reminded of the power of one...one person, one story, can make a big difference!