LIBRARIES AND SCHOOL UNIFORMS

Childrens' Library

COST:
US $15,000

#BENEFICIARIES:
Four Hundred (400)

TRAINING:
Yes (extensive)

OBJECTIVE:
Provide children with an opportunity to discover the joy of reading and broaden their minds through educational tools.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
The children's library and educational center, "Santa Rosita," is available to children of all ages as a clean and peaceful place to relax and do homework and read. "Santa Rosita" currently has 400 books available as well as 20 children's videos. The village library committee is responsible for the upkeep of the library including cleaning books and changing sitting cushions and organizing materials. The committee consists of eight villagers that were trained for six months by a professional librarian.

PARTNERS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Community: Attend training sessions in Managua and Santa Rosa.
Operation USA: Create and fund project; hire professional librarian.

RISKS:
Foreseen: Lack of books.
Unforeseen: The Library has become the village video and recreational center. Leader often lock the center for fear the children will destroy it.

RESULTS:
Planned: Provide additional activities for children and make reading a part of their lives.
Unplanned: Adults would rather be in the children's library than in their library.

SUSTAINABILITY/AUTONOMY:
The community has taken over the building since its inauguration.

TIMEFRAME:
From Concept to Completion: 12 months.

Adults' Library

COST:
US $15,000

#BENEFICIARIES:
Six Hundred (600)

TRAINING:
Yes (extensive)

OBJECTIVE:
Provide students with a clean and welcoming place to study, and give villagers access to educational material and books.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
The main library provides a calm environment to study and access to basic educational material adults and teenagers. It currently has 500 books with 20 videos and is open to members of surrounding communities. The village library committee, consisting of eight young villagers that were trained for six months by a professional librarian, is responsible for the upkeep.

PARTNERS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Community: Participate in the design of program and run the library.
Operation USA: Fund, create and implement project. Design user friendly furniture and color code system for books.

RISKS:
Foreseen: Lack of books.
Unforeseen: Fights among young librarians can jeopardize the program.

RESULTS:
Planned: Interest of villagers in books and education.
Attendance of high school students from different communities.
Unplanned: Complete success. Library is open every afternoon and welcomes thirty students per day. Men participate even though working in the library is considered a task for the women.

SUSTAINABILITY/AUTONOMY:
Project sustainable even before the inauguration due to the complete commitment of the community.

TIMEFRAME:
From Concept to Completion: 20 months

School Uniforms

COST:
US$3,000

#BENEFICIARIES:
Two Hundred Sixty (260)

OBJECTIVE:
Provide uniforms and shoes for children to attend school.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
Count the number of uniforms needed, take measurements and purchase all the material in nearby town.

PARTNERS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Community: Measure children and distribute uniforms.
Operation USA: Fund and find best quality shoes and uniforms.

RISKS:
Foreseen: Not enough uniforms.
Unforeseen: Time needed to measure children. Theft of uniforms.

RESULTS:
Planned: Higher school attendance.
Unplanned: Every child went to school after receiving a uniform.

SUSTAINABILITY/AUTONOMY:
N/A

TIME FRAME:
From Concept to Completion: 2 months.