Nicaragua: San Jorge Library

San Jorge is a small community located directly on Lake Nicaragua. The Lake is an important resource providing drinking water, the ability to irrigate crops, and fish for food. It also is a main port for transport to the Island of Ometepe.

Even though San Jorge has this amazing resource in their hands they lack education, which is essential in learning how to use the Lake properly and is contributing to contamination problems.

Contamination…

The people have not been educated on how to care for their environment and therefore the valuable resources surrounding them are becoming contaminated. Harmful pesticides used on crops are leaking into the ground water, rivers, lake and land. The lack of a garbage disposal system leads to garbage and sewage ending up in Lake Nicaragua.

The high unemployment rate means many cannot afford to go to school. Unless there is some way to help educate those who cannot afford it and to assist those who can, unemployment and contamination will continue to plague San Jorge.

How does the library contribute...

One needs to be taught how to treat and use the environment around oneself. Education is what San Jorge needs and the Public Library is fundamental in educating its citizens. The Library can offer education through books, computers/internet, educational videos, and raise awareness of issues through community activities.

San Jorge Public Library began in January 2002 with the motivation to provide books/resources for students. Previously, students had to travel to a nearby city to find resources, which cost money and time. Their collection of 1400 books and 2 computers are used mostly by students, but with more resources the library could educate adults as well as youth that are not able to attend school. Books for Life has assisted through gifts of books and 2 computers.

How can you contribute...

Becoming a partner with the San Jorge Public Library would mean becoming part of group that is working to reduce unemployment, improve the environment, and educate any who wish to receive it. A way to begin your partnership is by donating to provide the following resources the library needs to provide a higher quality education for all and improve the conditions in San Jorge:

Books

Tables, chairs, shelves

TV and DVD player

Educational Videos

Photocopy machine

Real life…

Below you see Fatima and her mother. She is 17 years old and in the 6th grade. Her education has been delayed for a number of reasons: her dad is unemployed making it impossible at times to afford school, she has 3 brothers in this position as well, and Fatima has had to miss school many times to work to provide for her family. She also received permanent damage to her left foot because of an IV treatment gone wrong in the local hospital, making it difficult for her to get around.

The Public Library can provide avenues and resources for free education, which would present many opportunities for Fatima and her family. Gifts of money, school supplies, or food would help Fatima’s family for a period, but the gift of an education will help them for the rest of their lives, and the lives of her children and those she comes in contact with.