39 mini-libraries for 2025

39 mini-libraries for 2025

2025 is going to be our biggest year of all time for Living Libraries. We have a team of four trainers, all in and incredibly gifted, which means in addition to two second-year schools, we are partnering with 39 new classrooms in 3 new schools. That’s a staggering 51 teachers and 1,560 kids!

Here’s the deal. 39 new classrooms in 2025 means 39 mini-libraries—reading modules in each classroom to facilitate learning new comprehension strategies for the teachers and getting books in the hands of these kids, many of whom have never had a book to read for fun. Each mini-library costs $770.

So, here I am asking for your help to make this possible: we’re looking for 39 backers of these mini-libraries. Calling on your church groups, book clubs, pickleball associations, knitting alliance, community organizations, troops and teams, classes and coveys: will you donate a mini-library to a classroom in Arequipa? 

Marelí

Marelí

I ring the bell and it was the second grade class’s turn to enter the library for the very first time. “Welcome to all!” we said happily. In the middle of this beautiful group of kids was Mareli, 7 years-old. She immediately captivated us with her dark eyes and slight figure. 

“Hi, how are you?” I asked. “I’m well,” she said timidly. I noticed right away that Mareli wasn't very communicative. 

When we started to work with her and her classmates on the “Metacognition” strategy in April of 2015, Mareli didn’t raise her hand to participate in the activities. Nor did she share her thoughts. Her classroom teacher said she didn’t speak very well, she didn’t understand quickly what she was being told, couldn’t read and couldn’t yet write. 

“...she didn’t speak very well, she didn’t understand quickly what she was being told, couldn’t read and couldn’t yet write. ”

It’s been a year now since we’ve been working with her in Living Libraries and Mareli has grown! She surprises us with her desire to participate, her deep comments, her creative ideas and reflections, her constant reading and her increased communication with the whole group. Not only that, Mareli spends every recess in the library looking for a new book, and above all the “Hombre Mosca” series!

Thanks Mareli for filling us with brightness and hope!

Bryan

Bryan

Bryan is awesome! We met him when he was 9 years old, beginning the third grade. His teacher told us about his brain injury, and how at the beginning he didn’t interact much with his classmates. Today Living Libraries is proud of this boy, who takes pleasure in reading, who converses with his classmates, who makes positive comments and participates in games. He’s more sure of himself and his opinions. 

Thanks Bryan, you’re an example for all of us!