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 October News
October was another busy month! As
well as a very rainy month!
In particular, we have been busy
getting programming back on track (which was temporarily derailed by
the regional Teacher's Strike.) The after-school program is in full
swing, with the kids receiving tutoring and work prepared by the
library staff. A highlight of this program is the once or twice
weekly highly competitive concurso (contest). This is a
contest where the kids are broken down into two teams – based on an
equal division of age/skills. The competition is played out on the
dry erase board and can include geography, math, grammar (Spanish)
and fill-in-the-blank words for the younger ones. The idea behind
this is to have the kids work together as a team and motivate and
teach one another.
A huge thank you to all of
those old friends and new friends who have visited the library. Your
support during these past two very slow, low season months has helped
us to continue to provide the high caliber of services the community
expects of the biblioteca.
Halloween/Day
of the Dead Events
This Friday, October 31st
is Halloween. The day after is “Dia de Los Muertos”- the
Day of the Dead. All during Halloween week, besides their normal
work, the children's art projects will be Day of the Dead themed
“shadow boxes”. On Saturday November 1st we are
having a bazaar (the first in 4 months) and after the sale something
for the kids. The children will assemble at the library in costumes
or volunteers will help them with make-up and costumes used for the
circus we had during Summer School. About 11:30 a.m. we will take
the children (they will carry their Dia de Los Muertos
projects) and then go “Trick or Treating in Plaza Ukana! The idea
behind this is that we are celebrating both American and Mexican
culture’s tradtions in one event! Local businesses have all offered
to give candy to the “Trick or Treaters.”
 Hekab Be in
need of structural improvements
The recent down-pour of rain
(2+weeks of it) has brought several serious structural problems to
our attention. the roof of the main building is crumbling in places
and needs new rebar (steel supports) and concrete. The bathroom
needs to have the plumbing removed and the roof and support wall torn
down and rebuilt. At present it is too dangerous to be used. We are
asking locals and visitors alike to please consider making a material
or monetary donation.
Other current
library needs
*We
DESPERATELY need someone to assist us with our computers -at present
none of them are functioning as they should. We are in dire need of
new or gently used computers as well.
*We need 3
solid doors (for exterior use), a bathroom sink, tables and chairs,
bookcases—all of this can be used material-- we are happy to help
“recycle” materials from home and condo owners who are doing
remodeling!
*Donations
of anything you would normally put in a garage sale in the US (for
our Bazaars.)
*Do you
have someone on your staff who isn’t busy? We could use albańiles
(masons) and gardeners.
*Volunteer
teacher's assistants, teachers (there are a lot of retired teachers
in Akumal – don't let your skills get rusty from lack of use!)
*We need
volunteers for all areas: Teaching, Construction, Repairs, Plumbing,
Gardening, Painting, Playing Sports,
and assistance organizing books and information.
Free English
classes resume
On a happier note, English classes
begin Saturday November 8th – these classes will be for
teens and adults and are free. Trying to organize the schedule
around the adults (who work, many working two jobs due to the
economic situation) was too difficult. To meet everyone’s needs we
are running classes on Saturdays.
 AA meetings at
Hekab Be
Akumal's Alcoholic's Anonymous group is
growing in numbers – a very good sign and we would like to remind
people that everyone is welcome to attend. There is an English
speaker (every night but Wednesdays) and meetings are held Mon. -
Sat. from 8-10 p.m.
Thank all of you for your continual
support – our doors would be closed without you!!
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