Your Donations Make a Difference

Firstly, I want to say a huge THANK YOU to those individuals and families that have made donations to the HJH Libraries for All Program and the San Juan del Sur Biblioteca here in Nicaragua. In the last few days we have raised more than $400!! As you'll read in a moment, that's almost enough to supply five months worth of books and supplies for the mobile project of the San Juan del Sur Library.

Yesterday, I spoke with Jane Mirandette, President of the HJH Libraries for All Program, about how donations are used when people give to the program. The non-profit arm of the foundation only uses 4% of donations for administrative costs. Expenses like travel and lodging for Jane as she goes to book shows and other such events in the US and Central America are paid for out of her own pocket. You'll find that such a financial record is well received among non-profit groups.

When donations come in, they provide for the following:

• $50 will buy as many as 10 new children's books
• $100 will buy new children's books and a month of art supplies
• $150 will pay for a month of English classes for local children
• $300 will cover the expenses of the mobile project for one month
• $350 will buy one library in a box start-up kit (not including books)
• $500 will provide 5 months worth of books and supplies
• $1500 will cover the total operating expenses of the main lending library for one month

As a class, we would very much like to raise enough money to sponsor the San Juan del Sur program for an entire month - approx. $1500. I'm writing this blog from the library today and I can only begin to describe what a vibrant place it is and the impact it is having on the community. One man is studying for a correspondence course; children are doing puzzles and playing games during a break from an English language class; workers are cataloging and processing new donations of encyclopedias, a children's series on science, and adult fiction; and Jane is giving a tour to some new volunteers. It is thrilling to watch and to see everyone so engaged.

If you have not done so already, please consider donating to the project. We are very proud of the work they are doing here and, beyond our support in person, we wish to continue support by providing for the Libraries for All Program for their future as well. Thank you!