Guatemala Trip Info Meeting: Sunday Feb 10

Join us for an online informational meeting about the upcoming service trip to Guatemala. There will be a presentation on the trip plans and opportunity to ask questions. Anyone who is interested in applying for the trip can come to the meeting. LWB will be in Guatemala from April 13 – 28. Learn more about the trip, and access the trip application form on our website: http://lwb-online.org/?page_id=971

Access the meeting: https://www.fuzemeeting.com/fuze/32636309/18438747
Audio info: +16465837415 or VoIP using a USB headset. Please note: there is a max of 100 participants, but the audio recording of the meeting will be posted afterward for anyone who is not able to attend.

RSVP by ‘joining’ this event on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/events/102563979926517/

Date and time(zones):
Saskatoon (Canada – Saskatchewan) Sunday, February 10, 2013 at 7:00:00 PM CST UTC-6 hours
Ottawa (Canada – Ontario) Sunday, February 10, 2013 at 8:00:00 PM EST UTC-5 hours
Vancouver (Canada – British Columbia) Sunday, February 10, 2013 at 5:00:00 PM PST UTC-8 hours
Corresponding UTC (GMT) Monday, February 11, 2013 at 01:00:00

Call for Volunteers: Guatemala Service Trip

Trip Description
Trip Participants will travel to Guatemala to volunteer at the Miguel Angel Asturias Academy in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala (known locally as Xela). Work at the Academy will include cataloguing, processing, programming, organization and teaching English, in addition to other library related work. Other activities include sight-seeing, cultural visits, and workshops designed to give participants a comprehensive understanding of libraries, education and culture in Guatemala. Trip participants will also have the option to choose a weekend activity (visit scenic Lake Atitlan, trek to one of Guatemala’s volcanic peaks, or visit the mountainous Ixil region).

Primary Projects

• Implementation of a working ILS and lending system at the Asturias Academy.
• Information literacy, collaboration with Asturias teachers and integration into curriculum.

Housing and Food
While in Xela, participants will stay at the COFA Catholic Retreat Centre. Most meals will be provided by a local family, or at local restaurants or eateries. Vegetarian options will be available.

Expectations
All trip volunteers are expected to…

• attend briefing meetings (held online) to discuss projects and receive training on Asturias Library systems. These meetings are mandatory for all volunteers.
• join and contribute to a working team before the trip.
• participate in pre and post trip assessments (e.g. evaluation survey).

Program Fees
The program fee includes: lodging, food, entrance to all activities and transportation within Guatemala. $150 of the program fee is paid as a non-refundable deposit. The fundraising fee will go towards funding the Librarians Without Borders program at the Asturias Academy. Trip participants are responsible for paying for their own airfare. All fees are in US Dollars.

Trip Length	Program Fee	Fundraising Fee	Total
Short Trip – April 13 to 23	$605	$150	$755
Long Trip – April 13 to 28	$880	$150	$1030

Important Dates

• Guatemala Information Meeting – February 10 – 8PM EST. Meeting audio archive available until March 15: https://www.fuzemeeting.com/replay_meeting/32636309/3460731
• Application Deadline – February 18
• Successful applicants selected and notified – February 22
• Deposit due – March 1
• Program fees and fundraising due – March 22
• Trip waivers due – April 1

How to apply: submit application form to carolyn.doi@lwb-online.org

Call for Applications: School Librarian

Reading for Change: Build a love of reading in Guatemalan children

Position title: School Librarian

Job description:
The Miguel Angel Asturias Academy is an innovative Pre K-12 school in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. We are seeking a librarian to begin work immediately.

Volunteering at the Asturias Academy is an ideal experience for any person with a passion for education and for building a love of reading in Guatemalan children, eager to support the development of the Guatemalan society. In addition to the educational experience, this opportunity allows volunteers to see firsthand, our transformative model.

Working alongside the school’s permanent librarian, the volunteer librarian will be responsible for planning library activities for students ages 4-18, in addition to maintaining the library. Duties include: keeping records of books borrowed and returned, building a collection “wish list” for further expansion, leading library instruction sessions for students, working with Librarians Without Borders to set up a circulation system, and working with teachers to incorporate the library into classroom activities. The volunteer librarian will also help train the permanent librarian to lead the management and operations of the library.

Outside of the library, the librarian is expected to attend weekly staff meetings, participate in school field trips and other school activities (such as recess). The librarian is also required to submit a monthly blog post that describes the activities of the school and library. The librarian will have a close relationship with and support of Librarians Without Borders on a number of library initiatives.

Requirements: Spanish language fluency (reading, written and oral), library experience.

Desirable skills: This position is very rewarding, as you will work directly with students, but can also be challenging. We are a private nonprofit school serving very low income families. As such, our resources and staffing are limited. Experience working with low-literacy youth is highly desirable. This position requires you to be friendly, outgoing, patient, a quick learner and culturally sensitive.

Location: Job is on site at 13 Calle 24-43 Zona 3, Quetzaltenango, Quetzaltenango, Guatemala, CA

Duration: January 2013 – October 31, 2013. Monday to Friday, mornings and afternoons.

Compensation: This is a volunteer position. A stipend of up to $2400 is available to the successful candidate to help cover living costs in Guatemala, provided by Librarians Without Borders (LWB).
Asturias will help the successful candidate find a home stay family if so desired.

How to apply: Please send cover letter, resume and contacts for 3-5 references to Karla Chojolán at karla@asturiasacademy.org

To learn more about the Asturias Academy, visit: http://www.asturiasacademy.org/

The Asturias Library as a place of learning, discovery and reading enjoyment.

This guest post comes to us from Nicholas Newlin, the LWB-funded Librarian at the Asturias Academy Library in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. As part of his 8 month contract at the Academy in 2012, Nicholas worked with students at the school to teach literacy and reading skills. In this post, Nicholas reflects on how student have grown to discover and enjoy the Library.

A lot of students have come through the Library in this first complete year of library service here at Colegio Miguel Angel Asturias. Students are required to have reading class three periods per week, which means almost 2 hours of studying or reading and discussing books with classmates. From the attendance numbers I have been keeping for the last several months, in the period with least students, there are about 12 student visitors each week, while in the highest there are just less than 60. Between Primaria and Básico students there are at least 80 students who visit the library each weekday (the student body is about 250). Each primaria student has read at least 3 books, and recess brings an average of 20 students who do puzzles or tangrams, play Scrabble, chess, and various other learning-centered activities, apart from selecting books not read in class.

This year I have seen an increase in student interest in reading. Some students have moved from being able to read little, and not staying in a chair for more than five minutes, to picking out their own books and reading with interest for a whole 35 minute period. Of course, there are many students find it more difficult to concentrate and talk with their friends, but for the most part they are talking about photographs or diagrams in books. In any case, every student from kindergarten through the last grades of high school have been exposed to books – good books in Spanish and in English – and recognize that reading can be a great help in their studies. We have taught them how to use dictionaries, atlases, encyclopedias; we have done activities that test comprehension and reading speed, as well as asked for writing assignments based on their reading.

The library is an active place where students read on their own as well as in class activities, and also acts as a learning environment when teachers are absent or need materials for a class. And since it is the inaugural year, we’re only getting started. The ILS system we are implementing this year is intended to make resource discovery and match the varied abilities of students and other visitors. Hopefully it will be extended to other libraries as Asturias continues to expand and offer alternatives to public or charter education here in Guatemala.

Speaking Tour: LWB Presents Jorge Chojolan

John Abernathy Photography http://www.abernathyphoto.com/

Speaking Tour Announcement

It is our pleasure to announce that LWB will be hosting our Guatemalan partner, Jorge Chojolan, from November 11 – 29, as part of a North American speaking tour. Jorge is the founder and director of the Asturias Academy, a progressive k-12 school that offers education for students from low-income and indigenous families. The speaking events will focus on the following themes: education reform, leadership, libraries and literacy in Guatemala.

Sponsors of Jorge Chojolán’s Speaking Tour 2012

About Jorge Chojolan

Jorge has spent his life committed to improving access to education for low income and indigenous families in Guatemala. Inspired by the writing of Paulo Friere’s book Pedagogy of the Oppressed, Jorge is creating an alternative school system designed to spur improvements in education throughout Guatemala. Learn more about Jorge’s story…

Librarians Without Borders and the Asturias Academy

Since 2009, Librarians Without Borders has worked with Jorge and the Asturias Academy to promote literacy and libraries in Guatemala. Through many hours of fundraising, planning and hard work, Asturias was able to open a community library to students and their families in January 2011. Learn more about our work in Guatemala…

Tour Itinerary & Public Events

Toronto, ON

Workshop: Challenges of preservation of indigenous languages and culture in Guatemala
November 12, 12:00 – 1:00PM
University of Toronto, Faculty of Information (Room TBA)

Workshop: International partnership from two perspectives: Librarians Without Borders and Miguel Angel Asturias Academy, Guatemala
November 13, 12:00 – 1:00PM
University of Toronto, Faculty of Information (Room TBA)

“Promoting Democracy and Human Rights Through Education in Guatemala”
November 13, 6:00PM
St. Mike’s Muzzo Family Alumni Hall (121 St. Joseph Street, Toronto)

London, ON

“Promoting Democracy and Human Rights Reform Through Education in Guatemala”
November 14, 12:15 – 1:30pm
University of Western Ontario, Faculty of Education, Room: 1010.

Ottawa, ON

“Promoting Democracy and Human Rights Reform Through Education in Guatemala”
November 16, 2:00 – 4:30pm
Room 129, Simard Hall, University of Ottawa

Montreal, QC

“Libraries and education in Guatemala”
Monday, November 19, 2012, 6:00-8:00 pm
McGill campus, Thomson House ballroom, 3650 rue McTavish
Generously co-sponsored by L’Association des bibliothécaires du Québec Library/Quebec Library Association (ABQLA). Light refreshments will be served.

RSVP: Fill out this form: http://bit.ly/LWBeventMcGill or e-mail megan.fitzgibbons@lwb-online.org by November 15

“Indigenous issues and human rights in Guatemala”
Tuesday, November 20, 2012, 12:00-1:30 pm
McGill campus, Peterson Hall, room 116, 3460 rue McTavish
Generously co-sponsored by The Centre for Society, Technology and Development (STANDD) at McGill University. Lunch will be served.

RSVP: Fill out this form: http://bit.ly/LWBeventMcGill or e-mail megan.fitzgibbons@lwb-online.org by November 15

“Education in Guatemala and Asturias’ unique curriculum, based on Paulo Freire’s philosophy”
Tuesday, November 20, 2012, 6:00-8:00 pm
Concordia campus, Hall Building, room H-441 (1455 Blvd. deMaisonneuve West; 4th floor).
Generously co-sponsored by the Department of Education and the Loyola College of Sustainability and Diversity at Concordia University.

RSVP: Fill out this form: http://bit.ly/LWBeventMcGill or e-mail megan.fitzgibbons@lwb-online.org by November 15

Los Angeles, CA

“Promoting Democracy and Human Rights Through Education in Guatemala”
November, 29, 7:00 p.m.
Auditorium, Main Campus, Marymount College

Back in Toronto: Reflections

After returning from Guatemala, participants of the 2012 LWB service trip were asked to reflect on their experience volunteering with Librarians Without Borders at the Asturias Academy. This post comes to us from Caitlin, a student in the Faculty of Information Studies at the University of Toronto.

I was privileged to be part of the 2012 service trip because, in those 10 days, we had the rare opportunity to really connect with the students, the people and the landscape. The thing that stood out for me, and undoubtedly for my companions, was the warmth of the Guatemalan people. Each student at Asturias hugged us upon our arrival; strangers greeted us on the street; our cook, Dõna Margerita, fed us two meals a day in the heart of her home. Signs of poverty were visible, but there were many faces which radiated with happiness.


Three experiences in particular stood out for me. The first was being invited to the house of a relative of one of the students. Although the villagers often live in tiny, simple houses with packed dirt or concrete floors – and sometimes 7 or more people to a home – they are warm, welcoming and curious.

A second highlight for me was library day. Five of us volunteered to be responsible for planning and setting up library day. I had never been involved in the organization of something quite like this before, so initially I was a bit nervous. What if the kids were bored by the activities or didn’t want to participate? As we began to discuss our ideas though, I relaxed and we had a ton of fun planning the games and activities! Unfortunately, several members of the team began to feel under the weather. Eventually it was just Isabelle and I who were able to actually work in person at the library. Again I began to worry, this time about whether we could pull it all off in time. Luckily, everyone who wasn’t bedridden – even those previously working on other projects – came together enthusiastically, helping out and making the day a big success! Not only were the children receptive to library day, they were all laughing and engrossed in the various activities, hugging and kissing each of us as they entered the library, eagerly moving to the activity tables and very often speaking that now famous line “más mariposas por favor.”

Finally, and in some ways the high point of the trip, was meeting Jorge Chojolan, the school’s director, who related his life story in explanation of how he came to found Asturias. Of Maya K’iche’ heritage, he begged his family to allow him to stay in school rather than work at a young age, as his father had done. At one point his father punished him when he asked for a notebook he needed for his schoolwork. When a passing stranger bought him the notebook, Jorge was uncertain whether he could accept such a gift. He never forgot what the man told him, that everyone should have a notebook and that one day he, Jorge, could do the same for someone else. As teens, he and his brother became politically active. After the disappearance of his brother, Jorge was forced to flee to Mexico. Reading Pedagogy of the Oppressed by the revolutionary Brazilian educator Paulo Friere helped inspire him to raise the funds to found his ideal school, showcasing an alternative curriculum, critical thinking and an attempt to preserve indigenous cultures.

As my fellow traveler Megan pointed out, this trip wasn’t about going to “help out” the “less fortunate” Guatemalan people. It was a cultural exchange. If anything, the staff and students at Asturias and the people we met generally did more for us than we could hope to do for them in one short visit.

The Guatemala trip reminded me that there is more to life than rush hour or the due date of that next paper, and that – as shown by Jorge – one person can make a difference.

Reflection Post: Snapshots of Guatemala

After returning from Guatemala, participants of the 2012 LWB service trip were asked to reflect on their experience volunteering with Librarians Without Borders at the Asturias Academy. This post comes to us from Beth Goslett, a Librarian who works and lives in Ottawa, ON, Canada.

Weather
When travelling to Guatemala in May, I recommend packing one of everything in your closet (remembering that you have to carry your bag around with you a little). During the week, there will be one day when you’ll wake up and put on your shorts and the next day you’ll wrap yourself in a colourful scarf (hopefully one you’ve purchased in the country). Remember you’re in the mountains not soaking up some rays on the beach. Around 4pm each day, the clouds start to darken and you can feel the humidity in the air (reminded me of Ottawa!). So, make sure to bring your raincoat! Other items to pack: woolly socks, shoes you can climb in (gah! – the hills) and something to wear to a night club (you never know who will ask you to dance – possibly a friendly gentleman will salsa-spin you around).

Food

If you’ve had tortillas in North America you probably think you know what you’re in for, but I’m here to tell you that you don’t. The thin, floppy ones you have back here will leave you cold once you’ve tried fresh, hot ones steaming as they come to the table in little baskets covered by woven napkins. It’s been over four months, but I still dream of them. And that green squash-like thing. What was that thing called again?

Animals

I don’t know if this happens to you, but when I travel I sometimes forget where I am in those early moments of the morning right before fully waking up. The one sound that can startle you and remind you that you’re not in Canada anymore is the “cock-a-doddle-do” of several local roosters (not just one!). And don’t think about easily walking away from a stray dog with yes, “puppy-dog eyes” without feeling like you want to take it home…and that one…and that one. By the way, it gets worse when you’re holding a two-week old kitten in the palm of your hand.

People

Clearly the best part! I had heard that when we would get to the school that each kid would come up to us, kiss us on the cheek and say: “Buenos Dias”, but I never expected that the greeting would be so warm and sincere with each one giving us a big smile. Finally, it’s not clichéd to say that I learned a lot from those on the trip. I appreciated everyone’s hard work and I’m glad we were a chatty bunch right off the bat. Oh, and thank you for constantly bringing me Gatorade and crackers (some things should have stayed in Guatemala!).

Une année de terminée pour le comité d’Ottawa

Two months after returning from Guatemala, participants of the 2012 LWB service trip were asked to reflect on their experience volunteering with Librarians Without Borders at the Asturias Academy. This post comes to us from Isabelle and Mariane, LIS students at the University of Ottawa.

Voici déjà le comité d’Ottawa qui souffle sa première bougie de fête. Un an c’est si vite passé ! Après ce premier anniversaire, je crois que nous pouvons porter un regard tout à fait différent sur l’année précédente.

Voici comment pour nous tout a commencé… Nous (Isabelle Camiré et Mariane Léonard) avions entendu parler d’une présentation du groupe de McGill de Librarians without borders à la bibliothèque publique d’Ottawa. Nous nous voyons encore cherchant la salle pour l’exposé, ignorant encore à ce moment le déroulement suivant de cette aventure. Après la conférence marquée d’une présentation gorgée d’images et de commentaires vibrants, nous voulions nous aussi y participer ! Comme plusieurs, nous voulions faire notre petite part pour changer les choses. Contribuer l’accessibilité à l’information à travers le monde semblait alors une solution tout à fait intéressante. Nous avons alors approché les gens du comité pour leur démontrer notre intérêt.

Assises dans nos cours depuis le début du semestre, nous savions que nous avions une passion commune avec nos collègues, nous étudions tous dans le même domaine. Cependant, lorsque nous avons décidé de commencer le comité, nous avons rapidement compris que plusieurs choses nous rapprochaient des autres étudiants : un désir de vouloir apporter un peu de changement ou du moins, nous voulions aider les autres. Le comité est alors démarré à l’Université d’Ottawa avec 6 autres étudiants. Il a fallu beaucoup d’aide (merci Mark Gelsomino!) car nous n’avions jamais fait ça et nous avions plusieurs activités en vue à organiser. Nous avons organisé trois activités à l’Université d’Ottawa : une présentation de films, une vente de friandises et une conférence. Nous y avons amassé des fonds qui allaient permettre d’aider la bibliothèque de l’académie Miguel Angel Asturias au Guatemala.

Enfin, une belle aventure qui ne faisait que commencer, puisque nous avons été choisis pour le voyage au Guatemala. Avant de partir, nous n’avions qu’une infime connaissance de l’importance de notre décision, c’est-à-dire de collaborer à LWB. Le voyage s’est très bien déroulé, tout a bien débuté puisque nous avons été accueillis avec tant de générosité. Nous savions que c’était un échange que nous effectuions avec l’école là-bas, en ce sens que nous leur apportions quelque chose et en retour eux aussi nous apportaient beaucoup, c’est-à-dire un regard nouveau sur le monde extérieur, une culture des plus enrichissantes, des moments inoubliables. En tant qu’étudiants, nous avons beaucoup appris,d’autant plus que nous pouvions finalement mettre en oeuvre ce que nous apprenions sur les bancs d’école pour une bonne cause.

Même si nous continuons nos chemins professionnels, nous sommes désireuses de continuer à supporter le comité. Maintenant, nous espérons que de nouveaux étudiants prendront la relève et pourront également profiter de cette expérience merveilleuse.

Guest Post from Guatemala: The Asturias Academy celebrates its 17th anniversary

The greatest thing about working with the Asturias Academy is that Guatemalan students nearly always come to school with a smile and celebrate their accomplishments. For the celebration of the 17th anniversary of the school, they did just that, after a bit of planning by all of the teachers here.

The week began with physical education. Students from each grade had choreographed and rehearsed many times a modern dance, and presented it in front of teachers and students. As a judge, I agreed with two others that 4th grade was the best of the best so we awarded them the chocolate medals and a trophy they will no doubt defend next year as 5th graders. In the following days, students arranged a donation of basic foodstuffs to a local orphanage, cleaned up the streets near school, and held a student election. One afternoon, the older students enjoyed a “rally lógico” which included puzzles, karaoke, and acting out skits in English. It rained the entire afternoon, but of course the kids didn’t bat an eye! Finally, the week ended with the “Lunada,” which included a talent show for students, traditional tea made from pineapple, cookies, and a bit of dancing. It was a really great week.

The truth is, there is a lot to celebrate for teachers, the students, and their families. I am excited that this year Jorge (Director of the Asturias Academy) and Librarians Without Borders have created a library that is open every day all day for students to experience books and learn to read or improve their skills for a lifetime of reading. Apart from receiving an education that will prepare them to be leaders here in Guatemala, the students are part of a community which takes the challenging circumstances of the third world and turns them into something enjoyable.

On a recent trip to Mexico to renew my visa, I met some folks who were living there and originally from British Columbia. Somehow or another, they had heard of LWB but didn’t know of ongoing projects. They were happy to hear that a school here in Guatemala was the beneficiary, and I was able to tell them some more personal stories about how Asturias was improving little by little the community here in Xela. Thankfully, the library here is an integral part of a larger mission to educate children and the community, and for all of us who have learned in libraries, it fits in remarkably well.

This guest post comes to us from Nicholas Newlin, LWB-funded Librarian at the Asturias Academy Library in Quetzaltenango, Guatemala. As part of his 8 month contract at the Academy, Nicholas works with students at the school to teach literacy and reading skills.

Guatemala trip reflection: finding connections

Two months after returning from Guatemala, participants of the 2012 LWB service trip were asked to reflect on their experience volunteering with Librarians Without Borders at the Asturias Academy. This post comes to us from Megan Fitzgibbons. Megan is a liaison librarian at McGill University, working with Political Science, Education, and Continuing Studies programs.

To add to Nicole’s thoughts, I would agree that generosity was one of the central themes of my Guatemala trip experience.

I’ve noticed that when recounting the experience to others, I hasten to ward off the frequent comment, “oh, isn’t it nice that you went to help.” While I hope that our group was able to contribute something to the Asturias Academy through our efforts before, during, and after the visit, the whole project was more about learning and sharing our understandings of the world. That is, the trip was a chance to engage with like-minded people about education and culture and society.

I’m very conscious that we’re not the only group to visit the Academy–others come throughout the year and experience a similar warm welcome. The touching gestures of inclusion and gratitude weren’t for us alone but rather are shown to all outsiders who spend time at the school.

I wonder, then, what it must feel like to be a student in the school with a parade of visitors coming through each year. The visits might not be too meaningful in light of other day-to-day concerns. But for
us, the trip was a rare, meaning-rich, and perhaps life- changing event. In other words, we learned, benefited, and were changed. And that is why trips like this are important: not just for what we can contribute “across borders,” but also because this type of interaction is essential to creating real understanding of society and inequality on a global level.

One of my favourite activities during our time at the school was being interviewed by students who were tasked with practicing their English with us. They had a simple set of questions to ask (Where are you from? How old are you? What is your favourite food? What do you think of Guatemala?) and had to elicit our answers.

For me, this was a moment that typified the whole experience. On the one hand, I felt that our differences were magnified, as I struggled to explain that my favourite food is tofu, and that my opinion of Guatemala is complicated, necessarily coloured by my North American “default” way of living.

At the same time, like many members of the group, I spent well beyond the allotted 10 minutes with some students, really getting into the conversations. It was clear that the mutual interest was genuine: we
wanted to get to know each (a universal instinct) and were pleased to uncover the many commonalities that Nicole mentions in her post.

All of that is to say that I hope to visit Guatemala again someday, for the people…and, I have to admit, for the mangoes!