Diriá Community Library

Diriá sits atop Laguna de Apoyo (pictured above). It is a beautiful, clear lake formed by an ancient volcano. There are a little over 9,000 people living in Diriá and more than half are under the age of 25. 70% of the people are unemployed with very few opportunities to work and no industry. There is a desire for more opportunities; a desire that can be accomplished through an education.

To read is to grow…

In the middle of the central park sits an old structure surrounded by palm trees and playgrounds. Inside this building is housed the municipal library. Here each afternoon, children and teen-agers gather to read and to study. Adults come too. “There are not a lot of books,” said one high school student, “not even one of the most famous books in Nicaragua.” The library in Diriá started over 11 years ago with just 300 books, many of which are now in disrepair. The building also needs work to function to its full potential. Yet, the people come...to read, to learn. What could they do with more books...with a better library? Could more resources help to reverse the history of poverty and unemployment in the region? This is the mission of Books for Life.

Empowering youth…

The young people in Diriá are proud of their community, and they have high goals for themselves. Many shared their desire to be doctors and teachers and engineers. But, with limited access to educational resources, the opportunity to attain these goals may be illusive. Again and again, the children pointed to the ceiling and the walls when asked how to improve their library. While they need more books, there is something else that matters to them as well. The building in Diriá is old and in need of some basic repairs. Unfortunately, with rampant unemployment and a long list of needs, the library is easily overlooked. The people of the community are more than happy to do the work, yet they don’t have the resources needed to complete this project. For just a few thousand dollars, we could put the construction supplies in the hands of the young people of Diriá to create a library that they can be proud of. Along with construction costs, the following resources will greatly increase the functionality of the library:

Books

Computers and Internet

Repair supplies – building, books, furniture

Security person – salary

Library shelves

Additional librarian – salary

The people of Diriá are working to raise $2,000 which will be matched with $3,000 in donated funds to buy books. After raising the money, the library director and other community members will travel to Managua, where they will purchase books and bring home the opportunity to learn.