On our drive back to Managua, we stopped at a small library in Tipitapa. I'm unsure of how the relationship between Jane/San Juan del Sur Biblioteca Movil and Tipitapa began, but it is a very strong relationship. Jane is dedicated to lending as much support (monetary, supplies, emotional) as she can & you can really see how successful this library is.
What a marked difference from the library in Chinandega! The Tipitapa library, like the Appleton, WI-Chinandega library, has hardly any funds to speak of...yet they are more successful than Chinandega. I really feel it's because of the Tipitapa staff. Three women (I regret that I can only remember the name of one - Karen) are dedicated to providing access & library services to the people in the surrounding community. These women know the community, know the people, know their needs, so therefore they are very successful in meeting (or trying to meet) the needs and wants of the community. It's amazing to see what can be accomplished by people who have the drive & the will.
We stayed in Tipitapa for a few hours. Again, we read Corduroy & then some of my classmates broke off into little groups for storytelling, coloring, or crafts. I ended up sitting with 3 children & we ended up coloring pictures for each other. I tried to talk to them, but immediately ended up in a conversation way over my head. I did make them laugh when I teased a young boy & girl about being boyfriend & girlfriend. I think because they're still pretty young & find the opposite sex yucky!
I gave a picture to a little boy named Douglas & he made one for me. I'll put it in my Nicaragua scrapbook when I get home.
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