Back2Books

This is an article I wrote for the B2B blog. It tells some of the history of the literacy program and where we are now. Hope you enjoy :) 

Did you know that 1 out of every 4 Mexicans does not have a book in their house nor has ever visited a bookstore? According to an article by El Norte, a prominent Mexican newspaper, 73% of Mexicans have not read one book in the last year. How sad.

Poverty is directly connected to literacy. Therefore it is not hard to believe that the country of Mexico is largely impoverished.  Children growing up in poverty are at high risk for having low literacy skills. Low literacy skills directly impact the child’s opportunities in life. It has been found in the United States that low-literacy skills can lead to school drop outs, teen pregnancies, low -income jobs, and delinquency.

Literacy should be taken seriously. Providing literacy opportunities to underprivileged children in Mexico is one of the keys to breaking the cycle of poverty that has run rampant for generations.

The girls, no longer board :)

Back in 2011 I began a reading program with a handful of children in an impoverished community where Back2Back serves in Monterrey, Mexico. I remember the first day quite well. I pulled up to the community in my dusty, silver Impala to see several small girls sitting in the dirt outside their house, completely board. I happened to have a few books in my trunk that I pulled out and began reading to them. The girls loved it. Slowly, reading picture books in the dust turned into a formal class in a soup kitchen where more than 11 students came weekly as well as a few parents.

Our literacy class in the soup kitchen :) 

Since that day Back2Back’s literacy program continues to grow. Several donors have contributed to build libraries in the children’s homes where we serve, others have committed to filling them with books. We have begun to develop a reading program I like to call Back2Books J

In the fall of 2012 we welcomed kids into the Del Norte children’s home library. Every Tuesday and Thursday myself and librarian Lucia host reading programs for the children in this space. Primarily we strive to develop in the children a love for books and an appreciation for reading.  The change we’ve seen in the kids over just a few short weeks is remarkable.  I remember one boy in particular, Josue, who made a face and asked, “Why would anyone want to read books?” on the day we told him we were going to open the library for him to enjoy. Now he fights to be the first in line when we open the door. The children at Del Norte love to go to the library, participate in the read aloud activities, and spend some time exploring books on their own.  Usually it is all we can do to get them out of the library when it is time to go.

Fernando exploring a book in the Del Norte library

Blanca and Rosa with big books

Librarian Lucia reading the kids a story

Kevin excited that his book pops up! 

Our hope and prayer is that the Back2Books literacy program will continue to grow and be available to all the children we serve, providing them yet another tool to help leave poverty behind.  Please keep this program in your prayers.