Our new Libraries in FA

We are very happy to have three new libraries. The Espinoza-Burga and Chávez-Vásquez del Huarrago families, in the Cutervo province, and the Ramos-Huamán family, in Alto Perú of Bambamarca, Hualgayoc province, sent us the request expressing the desire to have their library in the family, so we have already sent the books to their house. We congratulate you for being our first FA Rural Libraries!

Doña Ángela Burga says: "For us it means a lot to have a library at home because in the place where we live there is no library, neither in the institutions, and also now we can take advantage of the time to read at home since we learn a lot from books."

Fiorela Chávez Vásquez tells us that: “Because of this pandemic, books would help me entertain myself a bit and I would also like to read with my family. We are four members of my family, we always read in the afternoon when we are all together. We read in turns. I really like to read, I know some books from the Library Network, but I like to read all the books. I like to read 'Los Ojos de Gabi', because it is a very beautiful story.”

Nanci Huamán Campos: “Rural Libraries books serve us because they are about our things, our own life, our own reality. It is easier to explain to our children; sometimes with other books they are on other subjects, more about the city, more about other places. That is why it would be very useful to have books, books of variety, stories, everything that is traditions, dictionaries, works; then it does serve us very much.”

First BRIE in Covid times

Even in times of pandemic the desire to read the books of our land does not cease. We are very pleased with the start of another Rural Library in the Educational Institution of the district of San Bernandino, province of San Pablo.

We welcome and congratulate teacher Flor Soledad Mendoza for her encouragement and commitment in managing her library. To all the teachers and their principal, students and parents, a fraternal hug from our family of the Rural Libraries Network of Cajamarca.

Indignation

Once again we have witnessed how private interests prevail over the interests of the people, hence the outrage of the people manifesting and being seen in the marches and protests.

The unpresentable do not represent us.

As Peruvians we are outraged, and it is also our responsibility to promote a political culture of citizenship, to fight against endemic evils such as corruption and the destruction of our spirit and our land.

"That 16th of November of 1532"

Our brother Alfredo participated in the Cycle of Conversations ‘Open Classrooms - Heading to the Bicentennial’, organized by the Cajamarcan Municipality.

On this occasion, Alfredo reflected on the fateful date of 16th November 1532. What happened that day should be taken into account not only by the people of Cajamarca, but by the whole country and the world. “We cannot imagine what a huge wound may have been left in the survivors after the massacre; a population that was accustomed and that had among its paradigms the celebration of life, the celebration of affection, the celebration of solidarity, the minga.”

He also indicated that after 588 years, “this tragedy has not passed, it is not something that has been left behind; we are referring to something that in many ways continues to happen.”

“For this reason, in the Rural Library Network of Cajamarca, every 16th November, for more than 30 years, we commemorate 'The Day of Here We Are', because despite the massacres and despite everything that happened and continues to happen, we continue standing, we continue walking. We have never perceived ourselves as defeated but as community members who remain on the path that our grandparents taught us. Not to celebrate the conquest, not to commemorate death, but at least to pay tribute to those who fell, those innocents who fell by the hands of this, not encounter, but, in fact, this massacre that nobody expected.”

From whom do i learn?

A few weeks ago I was asked what training I received during my time as a student teacher, the question included my training in virtual environments.

Considering that I studied to be a teacher in the 1980s, it is to be imagined that the most advanced technology that I had at my fingertips was the typewriter that my neighbor lent me when a teacher required us to present our work transcribed in said apparatus.

The first time I was confronted with the use of a computer was around 1997 when, the first day I arrived as Alfredo's assistant, he asked me to put addresses on some letters that later had to be printed. I remember that I told him “I have never operated a computer”, he replied: “I am going out, so pay attention”, and he told me what steps I should follow to achieve that first great feat. Sure enough, when he came back, the letters were ready and the document had three or four backups. Thus, Alfredo taught me something every day. I also remember one afternoon when I couldn't open the files, so Rita rushed to my aid and told me that by typing "win" the computer would show everything I needed. Over the years, I have also learned as my children have had patience to teach me. During all these years, there has been someone who taught me the tricks of these devices and helped me discover the things that can be done with them; like Karina, a constant and patient teacher.

And there are many more things that I learnt and am still learning with my family of the network: be careful when presenting documents, which must always be impeccable and understandable; take care of the organization of an activity anticipating the situations that could arise; read more and better for ourselves and for others; write taking care of the smallest details of writing, but, above all, of ideas.

And so it is that you learn according to the teacher. In the network, I have several: Alfredo, with his love, patience, insistence and perseverance. I am also be a better teacher because of him as he doesn't lose heart in his constant attempts to make us true teachers. Rita, always supportive and looking for ways to help children with projected abilities to have a dignified, constant and forward-looking life. Karina, taking care of the house and the resources of the Network so that they last longer. Rumi, Mara, Zelma, young companions, full of life and enthusiasm. Nathalia, studious and organized, doing her best so that the Network is also up to date with the documentation. And what to say about my fellow volunteers: the teacher José Isabel, always ready to support me by telling stories to my school children (this year it could not be), and all the others, each with their personal touch of simplicity and wisdom.

It is incredible how many teachers I have in the network, how much I learn from them and how much more I still have to learn.

Thank you, Alfredo, for bringing me here.

Lola Paredes Saldaña

David, present

On the 20th November, 7 years ago, David Osoro Gonzales - our brother- returned to the bosom of the earth, to the apus, to infinity. But he is still alive in our memories, in our daily work, our hearts.

David volunteered for the Network in 2013. He began with the arduous task of converting all our library work to the virtual format that we continue to use at this time.

A few days before his departure he wrote this text. Whoever visits the Network, can appreciate it in our Main Room.

“The Rural Libraries project is not simply a great idea, which I never doubted: it is also the driving force behind an exciting concept based on solidarity, respect and the enhancement of a culture that the more I know about it, the more it amazes me.

Life is not just getting where you want at any cost; it is, above all, about growing and helping others to do so too.

We are not alone…".

Thanks, David, for being with us. We are not alone.

Rain!

A few weeks ago we were already very worried: the crops began to suffer, some were even lost. Some friends told us that there was no longer grass or water for the animals; for consumption just a little bit. We were sad: without water we are nothing.

Today we are celebrating: we celebrate together with the dear earth the arrival of the rain - how can we not celebrate if the rain strengthens life?

It will be possible to continue breeding, our fields will turn green and the colors will ripen; the animals will have fresh grass and we will soon enjoy the rich flavors of our mother earth.

Welcome downpour: with you our hopes are always reborn.

Shared shrines

In September we had a virtual meeting with our esteemed teacher Alfredo Mires. The event was organized by the Social Sciences Specialty of the "Víctor Andrés Belaunde" School of Pedagogical Higher Education in Jaén, with 34 students. The objective was to read and reflect on the central contributions of his book "Primordial Sanctuaries - Cave Art in Cajamarca" from the author's perspective.

Maestro Alfredo spoke about the importance of the investigative experience, he emphasized the sacredness of the diversity of sites and footprints carved in stone, paintings in the mountains and utensils created by our ancestors. He spoke about their perceptions of the world, their relationship with nature, their journeys and struggles for survival. A different perspective to approaching rock art.

Likewise, he questioned the dominant stereotype of our imaginings: that the population of this historical stage was backward and only simple "hunter gatherers". In this regard, he argued a historical periodization called the "Age of Rearing", to explain the evolution of rock art in Cajamarca, which helped us to rediscover that our ancestors were the discoverers of food seeds in the seminal stage, which means that they were breeders of life, a valuable statement that helps us re-signify our historical memory and strengthen our pride and identity with our roots.

The students asked various questions of all kinds related to his inspiration for writing the book and motivations for the research, the activities and needs of the ancestors that underlie the paintings, why it is said that art continues with us and why the Education system does not incorporate this knowledge, among other questions. They were reason to clarify, deepen explanations and perspectives.

We are happy and recognized for the lessons learned and we look forward to having a next meeting.

Sara Moreno Alberca

Professor of the Higher Pedagogical Institute

Towards a prehistory of Cajamarca

- Cycle of Open Classroom Conversations Towards the Bicentennial

- "Towards a prehistory of Cajamarca"

- Friday October 30

- 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

- Transmission: Fanpage of the MPC and via YouTube - Canal Escuela Taller San Antonio, Cajamarca

- Link: https://bit.ly/2Bpw6SF

Libraries in network

Yesterday I had the opportunity to witness the virtual conversation between Laura Acero from BibloRed, Colombia, and Alfredo Mires from the Red de Libraries Rurales de Cajamarca:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emb6JoqOYbQ

I am a follower of Rural Libraries, awaiting their news and –in these times of pandemic– I have been able to enjoy many webinars, virtual presentations and similar conversations through different channels and platforms.

It is always enriching, encouraging and hopeful to listen to what Alfredo shares with such kindness and gratitude, but last night's conversation was really beautiful.

Laura, so kind and affectionate, inspired a lot of tenderness and respect for the work of Rural Libraries, and managed to convey her admiration for the work of the Network to the public. And Alfredo presented, in a very short time, a sum and an extension of everything that Rural Libraries does: from its conception to the details of the exchange of books, from the encouragement and effort that a Coordinator inspires to the need to join forces to protect this planet. It was, really, great.

Thanks again to the Rural Libraries Network and BibloRed, Colombia, for such a beautiful sunset. Congratulations and my great respect.

A follower of the Wanderings

Community Libraries of Latin America

The School of Mediators of the District Network of Public Libraries of Bogotá —BIBLORED—, of Colombia, once again led a beautiful meeting between the librarians of this fellow country and our Executive Advisor Alfredo Mires Ortiz, to talk about libraries, networks, community. Here we review some of the main ideas of the conversation.

- Librarians of Latin America

For this important axis, Alfredo recalled some elements that unite us as Latin American peoples, also "to emphasize that there is more that brings us together than what separates us. Latin America can boast of having a marvelous common root; a fantastic diverse landscape guided by the Andes mountains; a reckless story with the same despotism and similar rebellions; and a utopia to which we are still galloping.” That is, we have a common and latent source, the color of the soul is the same and therefore we bond through nature that gives us life.

He recalled the words of the Colombian writer Gabriel García Márquez who masterfully summarized the uniqueness of our peoples. Gabo in a Proclamation entitled "For a country within the reach of children", which was read in the Palace of Nariño in 1996, said that even before the arrival of the invaders, our people: "Did not have a notion of State, nor political unity among them, but they had discovered the political prodigy of living as equals in differences”, and that –a few years later–, “mixing was already an irrepressible demographic force. The thousands of African slaves, brought by force for the barbarous work of mines and farms, had brought a third dignity to the Creole broth, with new rituals of imagination and nostalgia.”

- Networking

Alfredo emphasized that the meaning of the Quechua word suq is one, but at the same time it means another, therefore, we are the others, I am the other, we are community. We work as a network because that is how we are, or rather, that is how we should be. He added that: “If reading is a way of threading with the world, by threading we know better what we read for, why we are in this task. When we talk about network it is about a common thread, it is about knots, it is about different colors and textures, but it is the same yarn. A Network is a diverse and plural search for meaning, the path and the objective. But this would not be possible without a sense of gratitude and gratuity. That is why we are volunteers: we do not fall into the logic of benefits, which is basically the same logic as that of torture ... There is a clear cause that drives us and there is an aspiration that is already waiting for us.”

“We work as a network so that the humble steps that we undertake are a certainty and also a hope; so that the life of the defenseless does not continue to be a disgrace.” The meaning of being a network is that “we are together, we know that we are near, joined, connected, protected and close”, and this is a responsibility, a formidable concern.”

He also stressed that in order to constitute a network it is essential to have a conception, to know which are the flags that command us; in addition to considering consensus, trust, independence, the willingness of the collective to "maintain the underground river" and always have the courage to read the context.

- A librarian who reads roots

He stressed that "the librarian is not a file manager, but one who takes on the challenge of reading and reading himself in these roots, in these landscapes, these stories and these utopias." "We are librarians also to take shelter and to be awed, to unmask and unmask ourselves."

- Libralances: libraries as ambulances

"Today, getting to read and being librarians puts us in trouble: it is one of those emergencies that requires all "libralances", that is, that all libraries rush like ambulances."

- Libraries that sow desire and freedom

“In the case of libraries, it is a question then - as when the fields are cultivated - of sowing the desire to get to know books and with the freedom to read them; to fertilize the desire to reveal them and the urge to share them; to reap the impetus to enjoy them and the dazzling of understanding them.”

- The oldest book: the earth

“The oldest book of all is the earth, where the movements of time and wind, the song of the trees, the words of the stars and the water are written. Where the paths of rain and seeds are written, the voices of birds and peoples, untamed mountains and cultivated lands. Reading the land, walking it, exploring it and getting to know it is the best way to love it and learn to respect it.”

Ubuntu

An anthropologist studying the customs of an African tribe put a basket full of fruit near a tree and told the children that the first to reach the tree would win all the fruit. Given the signal, all the children held hands and ran at the same time! Then they sat under the tree to enjoy the food.

When the anthropologist asked why they had acted in this way, they replied: "Ubuntu, my friend: how can one of us be happy, if all the others are sad?"

And how could all the rest of us be happy, if one of us is sad? Or, as we say in Rural Libraries: "What if you were us?"

Rita mocker

It is nature that foretells

Rural Libraries of Cajamarca is close to turning 50 years of journeying in the different communities of Cajamarca. It was forged little by little, thinking of the other as oneself, because the other is oneself; respecting nature and adapting over time.

Our brother Alfredo Mires, in the midst of virtuality, tells about the work of our Network in a conversation with BibloRed in Bogotá. With heartfelt words he makes us feel proud of who we are, encourages us to enjoy what we do and to look forward to the new times.

To see the full discussion, follow the link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emb6JoqOYbQ 

BIVIR walking

Some months ago, in this pandemic year 2020, our brother Alfredo came up with a proposal that would respond to the previous diagnoses of the social and organizational context of our Network and the challenges and needs to face the current situation. So, since the month of August, after being approved by the Central Team and agreed with our library families in the Cajamarcan countryside, the steps of the Remote Coordination Strategy -ECOR- and the Virtual Library of the Network - BIVIR - began. We have held some meetings via WhatsApp with the coordinators of the area or sector and of the rural libraries in educational institutions —BRIE. Some reading materials, texts and posters have already been shared to inspire and continue the work of our rural libraries in the communities.

It is another way of continuing together, being present and ratifying our conviction and encouragement to share books, readings, voices and paths.

Infinite thanks for being present and continuing on!

Reading, students and families

On 14th October, our brother Alfredo met with teachers from various provinces of Cajamarca, through a webinar organized by the Regional Directorate of Education of Cajamarca -DRE-, to talk about reading, students and families. We highlight some ideas expressed by Alfredo:

- He drew attention to the decontextualization of the books used in the educational system, having an oppressive mold and not responding to the conditions and realities of the population. Likewise, he spoke of the supposed neutrality of education that imposes a vision of the world, alienating the content and alienating us to ourselves so that we stop being indigenous and Cajamarcan, so that we abandon our own image.

- Regarding the use of technologies, he said that “the use of technological means is a recursive maneuver, it is not a pedagogical proposal. They are not the cause, nor the reason for being”.

- He referred to the issue of functional illiteracy or student disconnection with the universe of authentic reading; He pointed out that "it is not exclusive to the rural area: in the city it is probably worse because it is more linked to the sources of alienating predominance."

- On the subject of educational strategies for reading and other teaching matters, he proposed that these be seen as an action plan or process to achieve a goal. But, first, it would be necessary to ask if the purpose to be achieved is clear, since it is necessary to consider that "a strategy does not serve us if the principles, diagnoses and objectives are not clearly stated".

- He spoke of two ways to achieve life-giving reading processes: on the one hand, the presence of adequate books, since we cannot encourage reading if we do not provide ourselves with the materials to read. And on the other, he emphasized the importance of setting an example, because "it is necessary for students to see their parents, their teachers, the authorities, happy reading books or talking about reading."

- Regarding reading, he replied that grammaticalization is not reading, since we can read in multiple ways. We read with everything: with our nose, with our hands. Reading is not confined to the text and, although reading is visual, it is still auditory because it is always vocalized, the words are always sounded.

- Some of the best books for our peoples are those that emerged from the communities, those that were born from this fertile land.

- “One of the most terrible self-flagellations is underestimating what we are, what we are worth deep down. And we let that which makes us possible and that which gives us beauty and multiplies genius die, dilute and disappear."

- "What we have to cultivate is the lively and enlivening taste for reading, the extraordinary pleasure of reading and the sensitivity to share and put into practice what we learn."

- “When a child who is in school stops appreciating the extraordinary value of being a farmer, what he loses is not a job: what he loses is the sense of his culture and the mood of his horizon. What is lost is not a worker: what is lost is the wisdom of the land. If an old potato seed is lost, what is lost is not a genetic resource: what is lost is tomorrow's food, what is lost is the essence of future pleasures.”

- He returned to the importance of rescuing the reason for being of the word, which vivifies culture and makes the life of these traditions possible. He invited the written word not to cool the life of the spoken voice, to take care not to freeze it, not to isolate it from the lived and vivifying sensation.

https://pt-br.facebook.com/Direcci%C3%B3n-Regional-de-Educaci%C3%B3n-Cajamarca-792142750944542/videos/conversatorio-bibliotecas-rurales-de-cajamarca-lectura-estudiantes-y-familias/2831057390550879/?__so__=permalink&__rv__=related_videos

Barrier-free education

Our sister Rita Mocker participated in the cycle of International Conferences organized by the Local Educational Management Unit, to share her day-to-day experiences with our dear "Juanitos".

Rita spoke about the Bobath Concept and, faithful to the style of the Rural Libraries Network, ended with an illustrative story that invites us to learn from the little ones, who do not understand differences or skills and just want to enjoy the good times, smile together, be happy when everyone is happy.

Our appreciation, sister, for your dedication, because by overcoming obstacles, you offer your support and make it possible for the Juanitos - misnamed disabled people - to smile and say “We can”.

October brings memories

When a family descends from a small town, despite the passage of time there are customs that are not lost, on the contrary, they are yearned for more every day, they become stronger in the memories of the descendants.

This is what happened to us a few weeks ago: when we saw up close the celebration of the Virgen del Rosario in Ichocán, we were reminded of our parents who hurriedly prepared their luggage to go to town a few weeks before to start the dough, prepare the rich corn bread, the turcos, the treats, the bread ... everything, to wait for the visit of the children and grandchildren.

The old people are already laid to rest, and those of us who remain have not learned enough, but the intention goes further. Thus, with the old recipes of the grandmothers, this year we learned to prepare some of those sweets. Hopefully with practice we will improve the flavors although, as my children say, by gas oven it is not the same as by wooden oven.

And the fact is that when we remember the dough, other memories also come flooding in, such as the smell of the wood stove, the hubbub of the boys climbing the trees to collect mouthworms, medlars; or those winners looking for the best stone to crush the others' conkers; also the murmur of the guinea pig and, of course, the memory of some conversations between neighbors or relatives:

- Good morning, sister, do me a favour: lend me your ruco, because my guinea pig has given birth.

- Of course, sister! I will when I find it and give it to you.

OR:

- Neighbor Pancho! Good Morning. Are you in?

- Good morning, Don Manuelito. Here I am, blinding a little alfalfa for the guinea pigs. Tell me what it will be.

- Lend me, Don Panchito, your pickaxe; Then I'll return it. I need to earth up and mine has the handle worn out. This week I fix it.

- Yes, Don Manuelito, of course. Take it.

These memories do not pass.

We recently learned of families who have returned from other cities to live in the village. They say there are now more inhabited houses. I think hopefully it's for the better. And it is not for wanting to return to the past, it is for the fear of losing what is left. You need to preserve those memories and practice them. These gestures of solidarity are no longer seen in these times; those good habits are being lost.

If we do not want more sad memories of this and other pandemics, it is better to rescue what makes us live healthy, in harmony, in peace with our neighbors and with nature. And, everything new that comes, if it is for the good, welcome.

Lola Paredes

"What an inspiring night!"

We share the note that our friends from Sarah's Rural Library Fund have put:

Thanks to those who joined us on Zoom on Thursday! We hope the conversation with Frank Cottrell-Boyce and Alfredo, Zelma and Mara from the Rural Libraries was as inspiring for you as it was for us.

We agree with Frank: "Reading for pleasure gives us that opportunity to tear down the walls that divide us."

We had a great discussion about which superheroes children connect to across borders. Alfredo told a moving story about a boy without arms or legs who loved Spiderman, but for most children in the Andes "their hero is a guinea pig who surpasses the fox."

For those who couldn't watch, the webinar recording is below. Unfortunately we were unable to record the simultaneous interpretation, but we will work on getting a subtitled version soon:

Recording: Cross Borders Book Webinar

Best regards!

In the blog of St. Joseph III

 The journey of the Network of Rural Libraries of Cajamarca

I was fortunate to live in Zaña for a few years. And in that fortune the blessing of forming close friendships with those who –from the Latin American church–, had committed their lives to this continent of hope.

A lot of jail was threatened, much liberation demanded, much dictatorship imposed, many dreams cultivated, a lot of silence raged, much protest emerged, a lot of despair indulged the night, and much faith welcomed the dawn.

It was the '70s and I was little more than a kid with the fuzz of my beard barely peeking out. And that time was a seedbed of readings, reflections, celebrations, songs, meetings and walks with other young people, a little younger: Gerardo Prince, Mabel St. Louis, Pancho Murphy, Wendy Cotter and many others whose dreaming kept them awake.

That seed sowing multiplied the bonds, the correspondence and the unions. The community to which we aspired was lived and interwoven at the same time. That is how I met Fr. John Medcalf, with whom I joined forces in the Rural Libraries Network of Cajamarca. At the end of 1980 I came here and a year later Fr. John returned to his homeland; it was then I knew that my task was even greater.

Because the dreams of that endearing seedbed never left; because reality is still a challenge; because the poor keep crying out to heaven; because the search for truth, justice and community is a cause that is loved, joyful, intense and just.

Just as plants need water and crops need fertilizer, the mind needs to be nourished with knowledge, take root from memories, and flourish from hope in the future. For that, books are a marvellous tool, and collective reading a way of organizing and liberating ourselves.

Alfredo Mires Ortiz

The BIVIR

We are now in a world that is apparently no longer the same, in which everything is interconnected. And it is true that everything that happens in the world also affects us. In the Network we have been studying and proposing live ways of adapting without succumbing, especially so that we are more in contact with our people. It would be about taking advantage of technologies to consolidate our own paths and decisions, communicating with our librarians in the communities, since we cannot leave our houses.

This pandemic makes us see that, although we cannot meet and physically feel the presence of the other, we are really united in spirit. The word "virtual", after all, comes from the Latin "virtus", which is the strength and the will to do a job, even if it cannot yet be done.

Thus, working, we are also advancing with the construction of our Virtual Library of the Network, the BIVIR.

We are happy for this new initiative and also encouraged to continue sharing and encouraging readings.

In the blog of St. Joseph II

 The Rural Libraries of Cajamarca

In memory of Fr. Gerardo Prince St. Onge, ever present.

Modern times only give the impression of being modern and make us believe that we live in the future. But the old injustices prevail; the iniquity is still there, even if we don't want to see it.

There are words that have been in fashion around here for quite some time: development, competitiveness, success, entrepreneurship, empowerment, acceleration, celebrity, etc. And there are other words whose use is becoming outdated: poverty, hunger, exploitation, love, solidarity, fraternity, spirit, etc.

But hiding the words does not liquidate the realities, because there are still poor people and because of hunger they continue to die, and because love continues to be lacking. The pain of those who suffer is not relieved by covering their mouths or averting our eyes.

And never more than today - when the continuity of the human species and nature are at risk – is competitiveness or celebrity more shameful, when what the world requires is commonality.

That is why we continue the journey with our Rural Libraries of Cajamarca: because books can also be the bread that nourishes our memories and our hopes. Rediscovering words, rewriting our stories and re-creating ourselves with, from and to the earth is a way of building tomorrow without having to stumble over the same stone so many times.

Reading is decanting and discerning, attracting the world and projecting oneself onto the world. And we have been doing this for 50 years, trying to understand and unlearn. It is not an empty path: we are an independent organization and we are not guided by an ideology or motivated by a reward. We are community, we are family. We are children of marginalized memory, unappreciated history and pursued dreams. And we learn from the most humble, from the prodigious presence of those whom society does not value and does not take into account.

Alfredo Mires Ortiz

Family and communal literature

You often hear about children's literature, literature for adolescents, for adults, etc.; that is to say, literature for a differentiated public. This differentiation is not only made considering the age of the reader but also the "cultural level", social group and any other classification that the writers, teachers or publishers consider appropriate. And, in certain cases, it may be necessary to make this classification, always depending on the interests of whoever reads, who writes and who publishes.

In the Rural Libraries Network, however, we do not establish these criteria to differentiate the books we produce, this is mainly due to the fact that we do not think about reading for a single person, but for the entire family and the community, because we know that reading feeds everyone to the extent that the need for this food is felt.

We usually use our stories in reading circles where children, young people, the elderly participate; with people who can read and with those who cannot. If some word or expression is not understood, there is always someone who can explain, who helps to understand.

Some books, like The Seattle Indian Chief's Letter, for example, are widely comprehensible for children and adults, men and women, and also contain outreach activities that can be done by any member of the family. Gabi's Eyes not only awakens the sensitivity of adults, it also moves children. This is the case with the books of the different series and collections that we publish.

In general, all Rural Libraries books have the purpose of serving the family, the community, due to the very fact that this is where they were born.

In the blog of St. Joseph I

"The Rural Libraries of Cajamarca: A Peruvian Dream Realized" is the name of this note that appeared on the blog of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, in Canada:

“Since the early 1960s, the Sisters of Saint Joseph have been present in Peru. During those years, a priest from England, Father John Medcalf worked in the Andes in Cajamarca, mainly with the indigenous population located in small agricultural communities. Focusing on education, he wondered why anyone would want to learn to read when they didn't have access to newspapers or books. As a result, he creatively developed a simple but effective book loan system with a presence in every small community. Fifty years later, his dream still promotes and encourages reading to enhance education and critical thinking. Critical thinking that includes indigenous land rights with ecological protection. The coordinator of the Rural Libraries of Cajamarca, Alfredo Mires Ortiz, has contributed a blog focused on the continuous evolution of this broadened educational dream.

Sr. Mabel St. Louis, C.S.J

http://www.csjcanada.org/blog/wizjfg56gqm1d96o8dm2lha0fkcjfe

In this excellent fifteen minute video, Alfredo Mires Ortiz, Coordinator of the Rural Libraries Network, shows us the creative ways in which the people of Cajamarca participate in "libraries in motion" with their local 'librarian' hosting books at home, and the volunteer who carries the books on their back in backpacks to the next hill town. Books don't just provide practical knowledge. As Alfredo explains in the introduction and conclusion, the library recovers Peruvian history from the false claims of the Spanish conquest, replacing it with the truth. The library then informs and supports, celebrates the history, culture, values ​​and dignity of Peru.

Link with English subtitles: http://vimeo.com/21726471

Sr. Wendy Cotter, C.S.J

Offering

 

When we lose our vision and stop seeing our mountains, when our gatherings are not complete if they are not with us, when we forget to revere them for being part of all our souls:

Be careful…

Many go around thinking that mountains, trees, springs, rivers, lagoons, the sky and the earth are "resources" to "exploit." They are “things” that “belong” to humans – certainly, humans who have forgotten where they have come from and where they will go–

Attention...

They go around saying and convincing others that "everything is consumable", that you have to "buy-use and throw away."

Let's return…

To feel the strength of our hills, the life of the water, the colour of the clouds, the grace, the brilliance of the land and its crops.

Let's revert ...

The catastrophe of a system that has taught us to abuse and use.

Let's go back ...

To the essential and the sacred, to our grandparents and ancestors. To their voices and memories, to their life and to the certain future.

Pluma

How many little animals die from lack of food or from disease, without even having someone to take care of them?

A year and a half ago, a little kitten came to the house in search of asylum. She was warmly welcomed by Plumo, the librarian cat.

This is how animals arrive, it seems that they spread the word, that here they will find a family.

This kitten recently had to undergo a delicate operation, which did not come out very well, but thanks to her courage and care, she is already recovering.

Once again a brother teaches us: he was able to endure the confinement, to respect his quarantine, to accept the recommendations and to behave with courage when the drugs had to be applied.

"The book among us"

A few months ago I resumed my tasks as a volunteer for the network. I have been supporting the processing of statistical data regarding readers in our libraries, for which we have the files provided by the coordinators and librarians on the comings and goings of their readers.

In these registers (sometimes filled out even by children who manage the rural libraries in their families' homes), apparent spelling "errors" can be found regarding the titles of various books. For example, it is very common for La minshula y otros cuentos, the twentieth issue of our Biblioteca Campesina collection, to appear registered as La minshulay, which shows the cultural weight of our readers when they come into contact with books, since it lets us know not only that books have been read, but are also an important part of the communities where they are read; they have been adopted with the nomination of the readers themselves.

While transcribing these files into our digital system, I came across a title that seemed especially strange to me: The Book Among Us. I entered the book registration system, I looked for this name and nothing appeared ... I looked for the registration number and it was then that I realized the apparent error: in March 2010, the Network published a conference that our brother Alfredo Mires gave in a Librarianship Congress in Colombia, on the impact of our work on the peasant communities of Cajamarca. It is called The Book Among the Children of Atawalpa, and it was that text to which the register of readers referred.

I was astonished, because replacing - perhaps with a certain naivety - the expression "the children of Atawalpa" by a simple "we", has an immense cultural value and weight. This showed me that, despite everything that happened and continues to happen with our Cajamarcan culture, the descendants of the great Inca master and amauta are still alive and aware that, united and encouraged by the value of our own culture, we forge ourselves as a community.

Rumi Mires

Daniel Canosa: reflection from Argentina

From the Virtual Conversation held by Didier Álvarez and Alfredo Mires, on 7th August, on the subject of "Libraries before and after Covid-19" (https://www.facebook.com/OEIEcuador/videos/2385678828402455/), our friend Daniel Canosa has summarized the reflections, deepening them from his live experience in Argentina.

We share this valuable view that invokes searches and paths:

http://librosvivientes.blogspot.com/2020/09/sobre-las-reestructuraciones-en.html

Webinar on the 17th!

Sarah's Rural Library Fund –sister organization of our Network, in England–, has been organizing the webinar “Books across borders: the power of reading”, a discussion with Frank Cottrell Boyce, English author of children's books.

The event will take place on Thursday, 17th September, from 1:00 to 2:00 in the afternoon.

The call says:

“We will talk about the power of reading in Peru and the UK with a focus on reading for children:

How do books open doors for children in Peru and the UK?

How do we promote a culture of reading and remove barriers to accessing books?

How can we encourage the writers of the future in the UK and Peru?

Please put the date in your diary click here to register for the webinar.

We will have simultaneous interpretation so you can follow it in English, Spanish or both.

We welcome children to join us and email us with questions for Frank or Alfredo and the team, prior to the event!

Click the following link to register for the webinar:

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_NDgbJ4T6R7mTKwRfnpJOeg

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with information on how to join the webinar.

We hope to see you! "

Nathalia returns

On 8th March, our sister Nathalia Quintero Castro arrived in Cajamarca. Nathalia, of Colombian nationality, has been a volunteer in our Network since January 2017 and is part of our Central Team as responsible for the Technical Secretariat. Every year she comes to stay with us from time to time.

This time, she came for a month. A week after her arrival, an emergency was declared due to the pandemic. And she could not return. Until yesterday.

After a thousand and one incidents, she has finally been able to return to Colombia on a “humanitarian” flight.

Almost half a year she had to stay here, and how we appreciate her stay, and how we lament her departure!

Because in the end it has not been a mandatory stay: here are also her people and her house. And her cause.

We are so grateful for her vigor and her laughter, her exemplary gentleness, her spirited dedication, her tireless effort. For her communal learning, for her fruitful joining.

This stay is, in a small way, the certainty of a united Latin America; the collective sapling of a built tomorrow.

Thank you so much sister. We are already waiting for you.

Here a hug from many arms.

ECOR

Based on a diagnosis of the situation we are going through, our Network has built the foundations of a Remote Coordination Strategy (ECOR).

It is not only because of the limitations that the pandemic and the state of emergency have imposed; it is above all because much deeper and more serious human challenges have been exposed.

And our Network is not an entity that simply provides books or is a mere library service: we are a community of people convinced that reading is a tool forged by paths that deserve to be walked, in tomorrows that need to be built.

How can you get our books?

You can write to us via the blog asking how to buy our books.

There is a lot of interest in the stories of the Peasant Library, in “Los seres del más acá”, etc.

The best way is to write to us at: bbrrcajamarca@gmail.com

Then we can coordinate the details.

Thank you very much and greetings!

Libraries in and after Covid19

On 7th August, for the National Day of Culture in Ecuador, the OEI (Organization of Ibero-American States) invited Didier Álvarez, professor at the Inter-American School of Librarianship, and our brother Alfredo Mires for a discussion about Libraries before and after Covid19.

Here are some notes of what Alfredo said that afternoon:

- What does the restructuring of a library imply? We have to review their birth certificate, refound them in content and scope, in essence and in significance.

- The belly of the question "how?" has grown a lot. Yet what is fundamental is that the questions "why?" and "for what?", the rest can fall into line from this.

- Who restructures the restructurers? From what utopia is it restructured? How does the community participate?

- Form is daughter of essence: we have to work on that essence. We should go back to the community cycle.

- The world is split, polarized into two visions: one that sees the earth as a mother to be cared for, and another that looks at everyone as objects to be exploited.

- The starting point is vital in the restructuring process of a library.

- Talking about restructuring is not just a webinar topic but a whole project to build.

The entire discussion can be seen at:

https://www.facebook.com/OEIEcuador/videos/2385678828402455/

Living August in the Andean tradition

Every 1st of August, the Andean peoples, before beginning the agricultural cycle, perform ceremonies to the Pachamama, she is thanked for all her gifts and venerated for being a source of life: food, water and fraternity with all the beings that inhabit our environment.

Here at the Cajamarca Rural Libraries Network we have this reverential ritual as the starting act of all our adventures: when we begin an Assembly or a training meeting, a book presentation, when we start a reading circle or when we visit our apus or our lagoons. The offering to the earth is one of our essential rituals to know that we are linked to our dear land, our deceased and our sacred mountains. In other words, ‘we live in August’, because remembering and living our Andean traditions we feel that we can continue in the midst of forgetfulness, consumerism, and injustices of a system that does not know of gratitude and bonds, of ayllu and love.

The Andean world is made of wisdom and enthusiasm, of sacredness and respect. Here I learned to offer a little wine, beer or brandy to the Earth; a fact that José María Arguedas describes in his book Todas las sangres: “Five community members poured a few drops on the palm of their hand so as not to wet the carpet, and blew the drops of brandy into the air. In this way they made that the mountain gods participated in the toast.”

I also learned to make my ball of coca as the most genuine ritual to converse, to rescue stories or simply to be with everyone in communion.

Recently Alfredo, our teacher and brother, explained the following to me: “The kinto (also kintu or cocakintu) is a special bunch of coca leaves. Usually it is made with three leaves (although it can also be done with two or four) selected as the most "beautiful" or whole. It is an offering for beginning, but it is also a sign of very high and heartfelt greeting, respect, affection or recognition. It is usually accompanied by the pukay (or pokuy = blow, exhale, breath), before delivering it. For this reason, when we "arm ourselves" (making the ball of coca), before putting the leaves in our mouths or making our little offering, we talk to it and give our breath. Just this.”

This August then, I made my daily offering to the mountains, and with it to the entire Andean world who have taught me the best and most important lessons for a good, sweet life, full of meaning and sacredness.

Let this be my opportunity to thank this immense "growing field" of the Rural Libraries Network, all the library families for their teachings, for their wisdom and, above all, for the love, joy and strength that make up their immense souls.

Nathalia