In Bambamarca, with Rita and the BRIE children

Days before, as usual, Rita had already planned the visits to the Rural Libraries in Educational Institutions -BRIE-. This time, together with Javier Huamán, coordinator of the rural libraries, we went to the province of Hualgayoc to the BRIE of Chala with the teacher Rafaela, from Bambamarca, and with our dear librarian Manuela. 

'The Chullpas of the Chachapoyas' was the book that Rita used to teach and remind us of the cultural richness of Peru. She prepared some photographs and a small mummy statuette or sarcophagus to illustrate to the children what the chulpas or houses of the ancestors were all about. The story had important references to our Andean land: the batanes, the ichu, the hills, the lagoons, the condor, the reverence and memory of our grandparents. 

Then Rita showed the children one of the most important symbols of the Network of Rural Libraries of Cajamarca, the Ñaupa, the oldest of the grandparents, by means of several pieces of ceramic with stripes and colours. She told them that Alfredo Mires, her husband, had met this particular figure many times in ceramics and cave paintings, from which he created the icon for the rural libraries, thus giving birth to this companion who does and says many things. With this explanation, Rita invited the children to colour the different ñaupitas, which Alfredo with his genius had created. They happily filled them with colour and design. Then together we helped to arrange the mural of the Ñaupas de la Red, beautiful works of art of the children. 

With Rita we learned various strategies to encourage reading in our rural communities, we reviewed our symbols, learned some history, had fun, coloured and savoured the joy of being together and growing. 

Thanks to Javier Huamán, and to the teachers Rafaela and Manuela! 

Thanks to Rita fo being and giving so much to us!

Nathalia Quintero C.

Colombian volunteer

Friends in Germany

Many years ago, some friends in Germany got together in the small village of Altensteig in the Black Forest to form the non-profit association David's Schleuder (David's Sling). Its purpose is to provide information, carry out activities and raise funds for the benefit of children in the Community Programme for the Support of Children with Projectable Abilities of the Rural Library Network.

These friends do everything. Apart from having formed a solid entity whose members make a fixed annual contribution and receive donations for special needs, such as, for example, an operation campaign or a wheelchair for a Cajamarcan child. But they also sell handicrafts, organise exhibitions, knit socks, collect hearing aids that are no longer in use but are still useful for people in Peru, and organise two big lunch events every year to raise more funds.

In short, they are extraordinary people with inexhaustible creativity.

The municipality of Altensteig also saw this, and in April it recognised and honoured the voluntary work of the members of David's Schleuder, most of whom are women, with the award of a badge of honour and a gala dinner.

Thank you, David's Schleuder. We are very grateful and proud of you.

The BRIE reopens

From the school "Sagrado Corazón de Jesús", in Jaén, we received this news:

Rural Libraries are already opening to students this school year. Ours is on the same way. Tomorrow we are organising a minga to clean and set up our reading room. The books from the Rural Libraries are there and have a special place.

This is what our Rural Library looks like. From Monday the students will be able to access any of the books: interesting, inspiring and culturally rich.

Elizabeth Olano

Lessons from the Rural Libraries Network of Cajamarca

The librarian families of the Network are a source of wisdom and truth. Through their daily actions: taking care of the farms, the water, the animals, they live and teach how to live in harmony with nature, life and happiness. The Network teaches that we are not alone, that human beings are united to the earth, linked to the mountains, the rivers, the wind, the rain, the moon and the sun, because everything in it has existence and spirit.

We cannot forget, as Alfredo taught us: "The oldest book of all is the earth, where we find written the movements of the weather and the wind, the song of the trees, the words of the stars and the water. Where we also find written the paths of rain and seeds, the voices of birds and peoples, the untamed mountains and cultivated lands. Reading the land, walking her, travelling her and getting to know her, is the best way to love her and to learn to respect her".

Nathalia Quintero Castro

Book Day in Chancay

A few days ago we received these photos from Chancay, in San Marcos. The BRIE of the IE Víctor Andrés Belaúnde was celebrating Book Day. We share with you some photos and this text sent to us by the student Jherson Javier Ángeles Huaripata:

I want to thank the Rural School Library of the Victor Andres Belaunde Educational Institution in Chancay for giving me a book that teaches us many lessons, such as courage, bravery, loyalty, friendship and emotions such as happiness and amazement.

Thank you, Jherson, for your words of encouragement. We will keep reading.