By creating a community library in Xela Guatemala to serve students, their families and patrons of the community, the Miguel Angel Asturias hopes to foster a love of reading and promote education.
Most Guatemalans are restricted from obtaining a quality education due to a severe lack of access to books and literacy materials. In a country where books are taxed beyond the reach of the 75% of the population who live in poverty, it is almost impossible to get low-income children excited about reading because they cannot get actual books in their hands. This year, Guatemalan public schools were only able to supply math books to 6th graders, leaving all other students without books to study.
Through after-school reading programs, reading exchanges with students abroad, and using the library resources and space for community and cultural events, the Asturias Academy will foster a love of reading and promote quality education.
The Asturias Library will allow our students, their families, and the communities access to books and internet resources, allowing the community, most of whom live of less than $3 a day, to lift themselves out of poverty and pursue higher education.
