Welcome to TALICA

If you are new to TALICA, here is a little history.

I am thrilled to share our successes, challenges, and thoughts about establishing libraries in public schools in Central America. What started out as an idea to bring books to children and expand access to information in the most isolated parts Central America has evolved into several different projects with all different types of educational needs. I have come to realize that libraries and book collections are very intimate places. Our book collections reflect what we desire to read, what we need to read, and what we have to read to learn. During my discovery journey of 2006, I found two places to help establish libraries. The first one was with my Guatemalan colleague Maria Arzu in the small community of Chixolis, near Guatemala City and Antigua. The second community that opened its arms to me was on the island of Ometepe in Nicaragua. Both places have graciously accepted our book gifts, however, over the past two years I have spent more time in these classrooms and communities. I discovered that what we first brought was loved but I don’t think it really reflected what was being taught in the classrooms or what was interesting to readers. The more time I spend in both places the more I learn from teachers, parents and students what types of books to bring. Now I help them create book “wish lists” that will compliment interests and curriculum and we buy 90% of books in our host country. We all win in this situation and the books are used daily with no waste. So TALICA has started and we want to touch as many places as possible to help get and keep the world reading.

Come see what we've been doing last month…

Our newest project is with collaboration with U.S. NGO Project Bona Fide for a new community center which will house a nutritional program for moms and children and a TALICA library. This library will be the “base” for information for Balgue, Ometepe, Nicaragua as well as many surrounding villages reaching over 1000 children and parents.

We believe in supporting communities from every angle. When we need work done, we are able to provide jobs and opportunity to local talent and keep funds in the hands of local businesses. Local carpenters and metal workers have been commissioned by TALICA to build book cases and security windows.

More exciting news...we are getting ready for a shipment of over 1700 donated books from a public library in Alicante, Spain. Lots to be done in the center to prepare! We sincerely thank the many people from our partners with Project Bona Fide and local volunteers. When we all chip in and work hard great things will happen that can make everyone’s world a little better.

Check it out: http://www.talica.org/communitycenterbalgue.html

With one child at a time, one book at a time, we can change the world.

Let’s keep the conversation that matters going.