If you’ve been following along, you know that our main project for this summer is the dedication of a community library for Nuevo Reto in Guatemala. One of the features of this library is a wall mural.  Ada Castillo, of Nuevo Reto, has donated her time and talents to decorating the space designated for the library.  I happily agreed to provide funds for the paints and brushes.

During a break from her schooling, Ada is rallying the Nuevo Reto youth and making great progress on the mural.  She tells me that the kids have had a wonderful time brainstorming ideas for the mural and are eager to help with the painting.  Ada’s creativity and talent allows her to draw outlines on the walls, which preps the “canvas” for help from some of the older teens from the community.  The feedback I received last night is heartwarming:  Ada says that the kids told her that when they need inspiration, they will come to the library and look at all the drawings!

Whereas the mural idea originally was to just fill one wall, Ada revealed to me that they had trouble deciding on a theme (at one point in the past I remember her saying it might be “pirates” or “princesses”) so the decision was made to paint several walls. This one, their first, is coming along quite nicely. Since the photo was taken, I’m told that the giraffe’s head was finished and a tiger was added next to the tree.

Do you want to know what I like best about this project?  The involvement of the kids!  We just used our resources to fund this project, but the kids are really doing all the work.  In Nuevo Reto’s carpentry workshop, the youth have built the bookcases, the tables/desks and the chairs!  They have planned the design for murals, and they’re painting!  It makes me happy because it shows motivation, pride and ownership.  This library will be a resounding success, and the Nuevo Reto community will be enhanced.  Literacy is key!  Motivation is tantamount!  I feel good about this.  Thank you to all of our supporters that are making this a reality!

NOTE:  Ada has agreed to create some paintings depicting life and families in Guatemala that I will sell for her to raise additional funds for Nuevo Reto.  If you are interested, keep an eye on our Facebook page.  Previews will be available soon, and  I will bring the paintings back with me when I travel to Guatemala this summer to dedicate the library!