The Rural Literacy Project supported by local donations, was founded by Sue O'Riley of Williamstown, Massachusetts. In August 2003, the Rural Literacy Project started working with the local government and Volunteer Petén in the village of San Andres, Petén. After two visits from volunteers associated with the Rural Literacy Project, the community library of San Andres now has over 550 books. Books are a variety of known children's classics such as Charlotte's Web, Lord of the Rings (Señor de los Anillos), and The Lion, Witch, and the Wardrobe, as well as current children's favorites such as Harry Potter, Holes, and Captain Underpants.

Starting in 2004, volunteers from Volunteer Petén have begun to initiate reading programs in the local schools.

In January of 2004, Volunteer Petén received a donation from the TEN DOLLAR CLUB of $1200 which will help to expand the Rural Literacy Project by aiding in the development of library in communities that do not have access to the community library of San Andres. This money will be used to create start-up libraries for a number of communities in the municipality of San Andres, Petén.

For more information and donations, contact The Rural Literacy Project c/o Sue O'Riley, 46 Maple St., Williamstown, MA, 01267, or email sueoriley@verizon.net

For more information on the TEN DOLLAR CLUB and the projects they help, visit www.thetendollarclub.org

Visit: www.volunteerpeten.com

Environmental Education Projects

Our 2004 environmental education program will begin in February and run through September. Our 2002 pilot project was started thanks to a generous donation from the Whitley Award Foundation. In 2003, we worked with 8 schools and more than 1200 local students participated in our project.

We will start our education program in February 2004 with the same goals, to work with all the local schools and over 1200 students. All students are transported to the park for a two hour program. Students come to the park in groups of 10-15. Therefore, for 2004, we plan to bring every student to the park twice this year for two different programs. The school year in San Andrès ends in September.

Activities for the students include adopting a tree, recycling, planting trees, making maps, measuring trees, identifying birds, etc., depending on the grade level.

Volunteer responsibilities include organizing classes, organizing resources for classes, teaching, maintenance of museum and education center, and outreach programs.

Volunteers can also participate in English Teaching and adult literacy and education.

For more information: www.volunteerpeten.com

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