Notes from the Field

When I arrived to the field, I noticed that people liked to read but there was no library.  One man told me how he sometimes found books in the garbage and took them home to read.  This motivated me to ask friends in Mexico City to donate used books, and start an online funding campaign to raise money to buy shelves and additional books.  Through monetary and in-kind donations from relatives, friends and their friends, as well as a bookstore in Mexico City, the library project has taken off. Here are some photos of its progress: This is the space in a community building that was provided for starting the library. The building also houses a community kitchen.   The library started with 17 used books, and then grew until it filled one bookshelf and then two.               Adults and children like to come and check out books to take home.                       ...

While I have been in the field, I've noticed some very creative recycling ideas. When people don't have a reliable trash pick-up service, they find ways to re-use items that would normally go in a landfill.  Here are some of my favorites:            Trash bin made out of empty plastic bottles.                             Christmas tree made out of plastic bottles, and handbag made out of plastic bottle rings/safety seals.              Chair and speed bump made out of old tires.                         Broken refrigerator used as a tool box.