Literacy Connections is a program initiative aimed at improving literacy rates, fostering a critical consciousness, raising social and environmental awareness, and fostering local leadership. This program has its roots in the afterschool story hour that developed over the years in the community of El Pital, propelled by the nacent community library, which expanded to 3 communities, then 5...8...until the present-day 9 communities that currently participate.
In the 9 communities where "Literacy Connections" currently operates, around 300 children ages 0-9 years old benefit, along with 200 kids 10-14 yrs., 80 youth 15-18 and adult literacy classes for 50 people over the age of 18. In each participating community there is a "literacy promoter" or volunteer mentor who leads and develops programming. Additionally, a librarian and 15 youth volunteers ages 13-17 work on promoting the program in some of the most neglected communities in the area. Children's story times take place in the local schools and are designed to awaken and excite enthusiasm around reading and books. Furthermore, the Bibliobandido program, a specific type of mobile library, visits communities with poor access to the main road of the valley. As part of this program, an invented "book-thief" character visits a community every couple of months, and with his aura of playfulness and mystery, instills a fascination with the creative process among the participating children.
Also part of the Literacy Connections programming is a network of 45 volunteer literacy promoters spread out over the 9 communities, who lead activities centered on leadership, the environment, and sustainable development. All of this programming is overseen by a completely local board of directors composed of youth and adults, women and men, whose volunteer spirit is central to the sustainability of the programming.
This program functions in an integrative and participatory manner, that includes the strengthening of local capacity among children, parents, students and mentors.
In the 9 communities where "Literacy Connections" currently operates, around 300 children ages 0-9 years old benefit, along with 200 kids 10-14 yrs., 80 youth 15-18 and adult literacy classes for 50 people over the age of 18. In each participating community there is a "literacy promoter" or volunteer mentor who leads and develops programming. Additionally, a librarian and 15 youth volunteers ages 13-17 work on promoting the program in some of the most neglected communities in the area. Children's story times take place in the local schools and are designed to awaken and excite enthusiasm around reading and books. Furthermore, the Bibliobandido program, a specific type of mobile library, visits communities with poor access to the main road of the valley. As part of this program, an invented "book-thief" character visits a community every couple of months, and with his aura of playfulness and mystery, instills a fascination with the creative process among the participating children.
Also part of the Literacy Connections programming is a network of 45 volunteer literacy promoters spread out over the 9 communities, who lead activities centered on leadership, the environment, and sustainable development. All of this programming is overseen by a completely local board of directors composed of youth and adults, women and men, whose volunteer spirit is central to the sustainability of the programming.
This program functions in an integrative and participatory manner, that includes the strengthening of local capacity among children, parents, students and mentors.
More information about the various components of literacy connections
Learn more about those who make this project possible...
|
Delmy Betance, Literacy Connections program mentor, 2016 -present Dixy Martínez, Literacy Connections program mentor, 2016 -present Irma Andrade, Literacy Connections program mentor, 2016 -present Elda Aguilera, Literacy Connections program mentor, 2017 -present Dennis Pérez, Senior Mentor, 2017-present Katia Pavón, Literacy Connections program mentor, 2017 -present Jorge Hernández, Literacy Connections program mentor, 2016 -present María Aminta López, Literacy Connections program mentor, 2017 -present Danny Pérez, Senior Mentor, 2017-present Lidia Montufar, Literacy Connections program librarian. 2017-present Lilian Medina, Literacy Connections program mentor, 2017 -present Deverlin Pinto, Literacy Connections program mentor, 2016 -present Loani Salvador, Literacy Connections program mentor, 2018 -present |
