April 21, 2009

Today was an incredibly busy, but rewarding day. It started when the librarian and I went to one of the schools to talk to the students about the reading club we are starting. We went to the 4^th-6^th grade classrooms and explained to the children how our club will work. Once a week our club will meet in the library to do activities related to books. At the end of each meeting, members will have the opportunity to take home a book to read during their free time—this will encourage the children to perceive reading as a fun activity and not an obligatory task. Upon completion of the book, club members will write short summaries of the books—this will improve children’s ability to think about what they have read and explain what happened in their own words. Those members who reach the monthly book goal set by the group at the beginning of each month will receive prizes—this will provide the initial incentive for them to read until they learning how wonderful reading can be. I am really excited about this club. Everyone has been extremely supportive of it.

Anyway, after I discussed the club with the students, the librarian read them a story that my mother had sent me. The kids really enjoyed it! The librarian had so much fun reading the books that she went to the younger grades to read them the stories too. I do have to admit, the librarian is great at reading stories to children.

By the time I finally dragged the librarian out of the school, we had to rush to the Municipal of Machala to follow up on the informe we submitted yesterday. The Municipal promised my town free internet in the library as part of an agreement with the previous volunteer. And until February, one of the computers did have internet. Then the Municipal sent someone to connect all three computers to the internet and that person ended up screwing something up so that none of the computers would connect. I have spent the past 2 months trying to get the problem resolved, with no success. Please keep your fingers crossed that this inquiry will produce results!

Once we were done, the librarian and I went to several stores to see about buying an amp for the librarian. I still have a little over $400 left from the money the previous volunteer raised oh so long ago. Since it has been such a long time since the previous volunteer came up with a list of things to buy, I decided to make my own list with the remaining money. I met with several mothers and the librarian yesterday to discuss what we should buy and came to the decision to first buy an amp and two fans. Then we will see how much money is left. The librarian had great fun testing out different amps to use. It was nice to see her so happy!

Once I got back to my town, I went to visit the mothers of my small visit to see how things are coming along and discuss a few money issues. Then I went to the library to write a notice about our club that I can pass out tomorrow. It turned out pretty good and didn’t have too many errors. I’m pretty proud of it!

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Note: This blog took about two hours to write because I happened to notice yet another mouse hiding around my fridge. I freaked out. Then tried to catch it. Failed. When back to writing. Freaked out some more. Tried to catch the mouse again. Failed. Called my neighbor for help. Failed to find it. Went back to writing. Saw the mouse. Trapped it in my bathroom. Armed myself with my broom and entered the battle zone. Killed the mouse!!!!!!!!!!! Finished writing this blog.