Building a Dream

The library "Centro Infantil Amigos" was founded in Pueblo Nuevo in 2001. It was the children's interest in reading that started this project. They would arrive at Kristina's house to read the books she had brought from the United States and demonstrated an interest in having a permanent place to read once she had to leave. So a project board was formed with members of the Eddy Solórzano and Rigoberto López Pérez neighborhoods. The board invited the families of both neighborhoods to a number of meetings and the people decided that "yes" they would help build a library for their children.   

Kristina raised funds for the materials among her friends and family in the United States and the community began construction in January 2001. First people gathered materials from the environment such as, rocks, sand and dirt that they found on the edge of the river. The rocks were used to build the foundation of the Center along with metal and cement. The land where the Center was to be constructed was completely uneven, so the dirt was used to even it out. Everybody worked together: mothers, fathers, youth and children. They also helped plant a garden around the building, which is now beautiful. After the building was finished, they decided to organize once again to build the playground, which we now enjoy.   

Thanks to Kristina's and the donors' efforts the library project has been a great success. The library, which now also functions as a community and recreation center, is very important for the community. ~ Jazmin Alvir