Partner books
Natik’s mission goal of “Education” is intentionally broad. Education of all types is at the center of lasting change, and it's not a coincidence that all our partners have a component of education in their community work.
Books are obviously central to many (but not all) types of education. Two of our partners have libraries and three manage reading circles with different age groups.
Prioritizing good reading skills at a young age is especially important in areas of poverty since a genuine love of reading and (hopefully) a love of learning can compensate for even the poorest of public-school systems and can help ameliorate some of the academic shortfalls of children who must leave school to work.
The next logical step on the enchanted journey of reading is an interest in writing, so it isn’t surprising that two of our partners have budding authors!
When Juanita Chiviliu was a young teen she offered to volunteer at the Puerta Abierta Library in Santiago Atitlán in exchange for access to the books. Her first job was to dust the shelves and books.
Since then, she’s worked her way through many levels of responsibility and has earned the role of Director of the Puerta Abierta School. One of her most recent accomplishment is that she’s written a book, Corazón de Maíz. The book launch will be this month at The International Board on Books for Young People in Guatemala City!
Meanwhile, in Zinacantán, Chiapas, Yo’onik’s co-founder Xunka Hernandez has written a short biographical book about her life. An anthropology doctoral candidate has helped her assemble a team to edit, translate to her native language of Tsotsil Maya, and to publish this very special story of a Tsotsil Maya woman who resisted, dreamed, transformed her world, and continues to transform the lives of other women.
The book will open doors to academic and civil society networks where she can promote the many hand-loomed and embroidered textile products of the Mujeres Sembrando la Vida artisan cooperative. MSV supports 70+ artisans and contributes 5% of their profits to the Yo’onik Learning Center.
Learn more about Xunka and contribute to the editing, translation, and publication of this special book!
