Over the past few months we’ve been able to report great news regarding the library program. Teachers are being trained, kids are learning to love reading and recently the Ministry of Education gave our program their stamp of approval. Receiving official government backing gives the Living LIbrary program real validity and will help us in the future as we begin expanding the program to new schools. Lucia has really grown into her role as director of the library program and Megan is staying busy training her in the techniques she’ll need to continue the program’s success.
At the end of June CUDA was sad to say goodbye to Neil Cantrall. Neil has worked with CUDA as an expert volunteer for about a year. With years of experience as a bilingual teacher, his contribution to the library program was invaluable. Neil and his family moved to Lima to start a job with an international school. We wish him the best and ask you to be praying for their transition to a new home, new school for their kids, and new ministry opportunity.
In other news, a new borrower group received their first no-interest loans and had their first meetings. I love sitting through the first meeting of each group because Paty always starts at the same place. She spends the first meeting having each borrower define what a business is, what a business does, and then hammers home the point that they are businesswomen (or men). Having a business is something important, something valuable. All too often our borrowers don’t see what they do as important, or as having value and that often times gets reflected back on them. So basically our first meetings are pep-rallies not only building their pride in their work but also their self-worth/esteem. I love getting to experience that first meeting with each group, and to see the foundation for all following meetings being laid.
I would like to ask that you be praying for CUDA in the area of fundraising. This is not a plea for donations (though I won’t turn anything way) but to let you know of some opportunities that have arisen. Specifically, we are submitting proposals to Rotary clubs both in Peru and in the US that could begin funding the library program’s 5 year plan. We will also be applying for other grants hoping to secure long-term funding. Be praying that both individual and group donors step in to keep CUDA running!