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