“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.” ~ Milton Berle
In my case, change the word “door” to “a library.” I don’t think I’ve ever mentioned how we first encountered Nicaragua. In 2003, my husband, son, and I delivered over 500 pounds of school supplies to an impoverished school in Granada. I found the need on the Lonely Planet forum when I was searching for an international service learning project to do with my high school classes.
Service Learning is a teaching and learning strategy that integrates meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enhance the learning experience, teach civic responsibility, and strengthen communities. Learn and Serve America Fact Sheet
I am trained as a service learning instructor and have completed many service learning projects with a variety of age groups. We built playgrounds, water fountains, picnic tables, painted school cafeterias, and then, I branched out internationally to help a school in Nicaragua.
So, when I received an email from Go For Hope/Supporting Community Libraries in Nicaragua, and they were bringing a service learning group to Ometepe Island, it was another serendipitous moment. I had asked for some help, and they arrived with paint brushes in hand and a willingness to spread the love of reading to my little elementary school library.
Joe Hafner organized the service learning group. When they arrived, we were ready for them to begin two days of fun in our little library.
Joe read to the first graders. Then, they read to him.
We wanted to paint the outside of the library, so we solicited the helping hands of all the students. Loreen paints the hands of the students, then they put their hands on the wall to make flowers.
The girls painted a sign above the library door and embellished the library walls transforming the library into a welcoming sight. Meanwhile, a group of second graders were practicing group reading inside the library with other volunteers.
The parents brought refreshing coconut water for us to drink during a break.
Then, one of the volunteers entertained the students with her guitar and gorgeous voice.
The students brought fruit baskets for the service learning group. Aren’t they beautiful?
Then, they performed a welcoming dance for our volunteers.
Back to work. Painting flowers, butterflies, and adding stems to the hand print garden.
Day one was complete. All the students from first and second grade read stories and made their hand print flowers. But, the best is yet to come.
Stay tuned for Part Two of our Service Learning Project. I can’t wait to share with you how you can help spread the love of reading with my little La Paloma Elementary School. We’ve created a partnership with Go for Hope with many new ideas and ways you can become involved.
The opportunity knocked…and I built a library…with a lot of help from my friends. 🙂
What a heartwarming and hands on approach to sharing and learning. I love what you do, Debbie. Even though you have taken courses, it seems like you are a natural for this. My reading and responses will be on hold for awhile as we are going to Eastern Europe for several weeks. 😀
Lynne, have a wonderful trip. I’m looking forward to reading your posts. Thanks for your lovely comments.
Thank you, Debbie. Your story and pictures brightened our day. The children there seem to have the same joyful smiles that surround us here in Ecuador. Keep up the good work.
Thanks John and Mary. I think that everyone should leave a legacy no matter how small.
I love the joint efforts and the kids participating by painting the walls and making the place cheerful and fun to visit. What a lovely gift to receive the fruit baskets, so beautifully prepared and the dances! This must have been so gratifying to see it all come to fruition….
Annette, it was very gratifying. I can’t wait to share with you our future plans for our little library. Thanks for commenting.
hoping to see it one day myself….
Wonderful story Debbie! I would love to someday help with a long term project like this.
Thanks, Nicole. Little by little…it takes a long time to overcome cultural differences and a society that does not read for pleasure. If I can help to instill the love of reading in one child, I feel like I’ve accomplished my goal.
WOW!!!!
WONDERFUL and soooooooo giving and most of all conscious,,,Nicaragua brings favor to those who help and are visitors in their country. TIRED is the word for expats who just drink , party and do nothing except …take. Soooooo not happening!!!!!
God bless you and thank u for all your effort.
Thanks, Heidi. The next time you are on Ometepe, visit my elementary library and I’ll put you to work reading to the kids. 🙂
Love seeing the fantastic support your library has received from both the community and service organizations. This must give you such a smile! Anita
Oh Anita, it warms my heart. It doesn’t take much to help the teachers and students, mainly time and a lot of help from my friends.
Nice post!
Thanks Susan.
What a great thing to do and rewarding experience! Thanks for sharing.
janet
Janet, it has been 4 years of trial and error, but I finally feel like I am making progress in exposing the teachers and children to a world of books.
Really wonderful work and it must be so rewarding to create this library for those beautiful little children!
Barb, thanks so much for leaving a comment. I am so grateful for all of the support I have received. Now, if only I could win a lottery or something, I’d start libraries in all 22 elementary schools on the island. lol
What a heartwarming post!
Glad you enjoyed it, Sue. 🙂
Que agradable! Tu será recompensado con el amor de sus nuevos amigos y admiradores, el mundo necessitas mas gente con un corazon de oro como tu tienes… Dios te bendiga!
How sweet, Dean. Muchisimo gracias!