Libraries and schools

When the Network of Rural Libraries began to rescue the wisdom of the Andean communities, back in the 1980s, many criticized us, especially because we were using the language of our own people in our texts.

- How is it possible! Peasants who dare to produce books? They said.

They were mostly teachers who did not want our books in schools because "in these texts there are many barbarisms"; So they said, referring to the way we talk about the Cajamarcan countryside.

Over the years - and with a lot of patience - this situation has changed. Nowadays, many teachers and directors of educational institutions are the ones who are interested in this task of ours. Or the students themselves, when they have to complete their homework.

- It is imperative to permeate education and schools - Alfredo Mires, our Executive Advisor, often says. However, there is still a long way to go.

Several of our coordinators are teachers. We have agreements with schools in the countryside and there, in the same educational institutions, rural libraries. We are coordinating our work with Higher Pedagogical Institutes and we even have requests for a Reading Plan that is truly in accordance with the life of the communities ...

They are huge advances and, as a network, we are happy with these challenges. But we know that the road is arduous and that we are few. Fortunately, we do not have the inclination to be discouraged.