From Books to Brilliance (FBTB) will create a library at Kajib' No'j, a bilingual and bi-cultural Mayan school founded over two decades ago in Momostenango, Guatemala. FBTB will provide a rich supply of literature and educational materials aligned with school's requests. Purchased in Guatemala City, these resources will expose 250 kindergarten to tenth grade students to a larger world, one full of possibilities.
Centro Educativo Kajib' No'j offers a first through tenth-grade education for Mayan children ages six to sixteen. Though textbooks are available, no other books exist. In rural Guatemala where indigenous families earn between $3 and $6 a day, there are no books at home. Therefore students cannot read for personal interest or pleasure, limiting intellectual growth, critical thinking and career options.
Through the creation of a school library, children will have access to a rich variety of literature and educational materials. Our partners at the Austrian Guatemalan Institute (IAG) in Guatemala City will provide bookshelves, furniture and needed infrastructure. By purchasing in Guatemala, FBTB and IAG will not only provide resources aligned to Kajib' No'j's requests, but also support the local economy.
Mayan adults in Guatemala today attended school for an average of 2.5 years. Now indigenous children at Kajib'No'j have the opportunity to attend school for ten years. This library will provide a growing access to books and information. Children will be able to read independently for many reasons, expand their knowledge, and ultimately contribute to their communities.
