Library Love

[Photos belong to Laurie. More can be found in her Picasa album here.]

A few months ago, I created a lesson to encourage global awareness in Mrs.K's and my students, one that would help them see things in perspective and teach them to appreciate their lives here in the good 'ole U.S.A. Along my blog travels, I worked on developing a network of others with connections to students in other parts of the world. One of those connections is with Laurie, an American who lives as a missionary in Honduras and has dedicated her life to helping bring hope to a group of about 100 Honduran kids who live in extreme poverty (very little food, no running water, shacks for homes). These kids wrote heart-warming messages about their goals in life (to live for God, to support their families, to get an education, to eat regularly), and our students were moved.

Recently, I asked Laurie if there was something we (as a class) could do for her students, and she replied that they needed books and/or educational games/activities/puzzles, etc. Low and behold, before I could even reply to her email, she wrote back, saying that a dear friend had fundraised $2000 worth of books for Laurie's kids! So, now they are in need of a place to house them. Mrs. K and I talked with our students about ways we could help, and the kids decided to make some bookmarks for her students. We also raised a modest amount of money for the cause.

If you've ever enjoyed the luxury of going to a library, as a kid (or with your own), you know what a dream it is to have so many books to choose from, as well as comfortable spaces in which to read them. Laurie's kids have no library, few tables and no desks (many of the chairs in the photo above were stolen recently).  She told me that it would take only about $4000 to build a center to house their library and educational programs for these kids.  In the name of literacy, freedom, and the fact that you need only walk to your kitchen sink to get a drink, will you please consider helping Laurie's cause?

Laurie has a blog and a Thank You post that tells more about the library project.  If you could find it in your heart to help in any way, please click over and take a look. In the meantime, I'll leave you with a few photos of Laurie's kids, who love school and learning and hope only for the simple things in life.

What a crew, huh?