This library came into being as a result of a motivated citizen, Carlos Manuel Rivera, hearing on Radio America of Riecken’s plans to build a number of libraries in the Copan region of Honduras. The announcement also explained the application process and community engagement requirements. Immediately, Carlos Manuel and a Riecken program manager, Rosibel Martinez, began the process of creating a volunteer board in the community to oversee the work of the library. Nearly two years later construction started. The library opened in 2007 and serves the immediate community of about 2,500 and seven more rural communities with book deliveries by horseback. Once the library was opened the board, realizing their new found power for development, went on to assess other community needs. The library board investigated the clean water needs of their community. Today they will show you with great pride their central water filtration facility operated by a handicapped youth of 15 who runs the reverse osmosis filter and fills water containers for the residents of the community. Story hours, chess games, computers, handicrafts and book clubs are just a few of the activities that occur daily in this rural library located about 75 miles from Copán Ruinas.
Changing Lives through Information in Central America
