Akumal library update 11/2/05

Junior Member Joined: 24 Oct 2005 Posts: 17

Hekab Be Biblioteca is ok, kinda beat up, but ok.

First, for the people. Carlos lives with his parents, and the roof of his house is partly wrecked. It might be fixed by now, but anyways this is typical of what happens to the homes of the local folks in the pueblo. The basic buildings are self-built of cement and/or bricks and are fairly sturdy. Many of the roofs are damaged, and lots of people use palapa type roofs for sheds, outside patios, etc and many of those don't make it. Trees and vegetation are pretty trashed, but they will grow back. There's a temorary shortage of roofing and construction supplies for obvious reasons, but folks make do and really it is not nearly as bad as it could have been, and much better than lots of other places that got hit pretty hard -- like Isla Mujeres, cozumel and Cancun.

Maggie was in Chetumal for the hurricane, but is back now trying to get the library back up to speed. What a great woman! Emilia was visiting relatives inland, so she and her family are ok. I have not heard about her house.

Most of the damage at the library is comparatively minor. Maggie, Carlos and others worked very hard to cover things with tarps and otherwise protect the library as much as possible. The room a/c unit was ruined during the last hurricane but a replacement a/c was donated. They had not been able to get it installed properly to work, so I'm not sure if its up and running now.

A big shady tree out front was wrecked in the last hurricane, so they use a tarp to provide some shade on the patio. The sign was blown down, but it probably is back up. The swing set blew away a bit but Carlos is trying to fix it. (probbly fixed by now. That little plastic swing set is amazingly durable to make it through TWO huge hurricanes.) The front door was wrecked and must be replaced. There was minor flooding damage, nothing really too bad. The gardens, so lovingly planted fairly recently, are totally ruined.

It has been hard for me to communicate with them because the libray has had no phone since hurricane Emily in July. Something is broken and with so many repairs, this little library is low on the list for the phone repair guys.

As for money, well, it's not good. I've received 2 checks so far after the hurricane, and that isn't even enough to cover the payroll, much less pay for repairs. But I know we'll make it somehow.

The hard work and resiliance of the local folks is pretty amazing. they are working very hard to repair all of the tourism hotels and infrastructure, and then go home at night to try and fix up their own houses. And the library "family" never gives up -- just perseveres in
an effort to bring literacy and learning to this lovely little corner of the world.

As usual, this little one room of home struggles all the time, but I'm guessing it will be very rough for the next few months because with fewer visitors that means fewer donations. It takes about $14,000 a year to run it, which really isn't very much by U.S. standards, but is very hard to come by. Donations of any size would be VERY appreciated.

You can bring dollars, pesos or a U.S. check on your next visit. Or, you can mail me a U.S. check made out to "Hekab Be Biblioteca". Mail it to me at:

Alice Gartell
906 W. 14th St.
Tempe, Arizona 85281

Also, the library can always use basic school and art supplies, and little toys and other fun items that the children "earn" as reading incentives.

Please no broken toys, no toys that use batteries, and no toys or games that require a knowledge of English to use them.

Thanks -- and I hope to bring you better news next time.
Alice in Az

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Advanced Member Joined: 21 Oct 2005 Posts: 105

I will email you, but a check is in the mail.........to you
Toni

Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 4:43 pm

Ditto, Amiga! Hey, any chance you might be down late Feb early March?

Advanced Member Joined: 21 Oct 2005 Posts: 105

No can do! We are planning on a May visit. We should be there now, but alas, damn Wilma. Sure hope to meet you and Nan sometime!!! Toni

Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 6:14 pm

Alice, mine is in the mail tomorrow.....keep up the good work..... Smile

Posted: Thu Nov 03, 2005 7:47 pm

My check is in the mail to you too. God Bless you Alice and thank you.

Posted: Fri Nov 04, 2005 8:01 am

I left mine there on the 18th. Carlos was such a ham! He made sure I took some photographs! I'll try and edit this later and get a photo inserted.

I also went into Tulum and gave a check to Sally of Talleros Cero. She was pretty emotional because she'd just gotten back from the project and was down because they had no money. We put a smile on her face for a little while I hope.