This project will provide necessary funding to re-open Riecken Community Library La Libertad that provides access to information, training programs and literacy skills to several hundred community members. The extensive damage caused by Hurricane Eta and subsequent flooding, closely followed by Hurricane Iota, requires repairing building infrastructure, and computers, replacing destroyed books and damaged furniture. The funding will be supplemented by required community investment.
Hurricane Eta recently hit Guatemala and Honduras causing severe flooding in the region, and a direct hit to the town of La Libertad, with extensive damage and/or destruction of 500 homes in the town. The Riecken Community Library La Libertad - open and free to all in the community since 2002 - provides critical access to information through books, computers, technology training, and programs. The building, furniture, books, computers and outdoor play areas must be repaired/replaced to re-open.
This library is the only library in the region. While the community of La Libertad will be fundraising a portion of repair/replacement costs, funding still required to rebuild: - Replace part of the book collection that was 70% destroyed - Replace furniture that was 90% destroyed - Repair 3 of 5 computers that were damaged - Clean and repair outdoor play areas - Replace windows doors, and reinforce walls and floors - Repair plumbing, power, ventilation and drainage system.
With the impacts of COVID-19 also hitting the region hard, being able to re-open the Riecken Community Library La Libertad as soon as possible after the damage of Hurricane Eta is even more important. This hub of community activity brings people of all ages together to support each other in difficult times, to coordinate and maximize available resources, to supplement educational programs offered by schools, and to create local solutions to local challenges.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
