We threw our first back-to-school bash for the library kids.

Back in early February, I was planning out the kids’ events for the next few months. In January we discussed “cooperation” and I decided to play some outside games with the kids. They loved it. So when I sat down to plan I thought about the possibility of creating a fun game day with the kids from the libraries. February is known as “Carnaval” here which involves lots of joking with water. So my first idea was for us to host a carnival with lots of fun water games. That didn’t turn out.

When we met as a team we decided that we couldn’t pull the event off in February. We needed more time to plan. Also, the Rotary Club had asked if they could distribute some free back-to-school backpacks with supplies to the kids in our libraries. Do you see where this is going? Sunday afternoon, March 7, we hosted the very first annual back-to-school Gincana (their word for carnival) for the library kids in the ASA area (ASA includes 3 of the 4 libraries we have started). Many of the schools started back on March 8.

It was a blast. We planned and just hoped and prayed that something good would come from it. The Gincana was advertised as a “Family Day.” Since Sunday is most people’s one day off we hosted it Sunday afternoon. Some of the ladies from one of the libraries made jello (a huge hit here in Peru) to sell and they ended up selling out. Larissa did a great job setting up the welcome area with questions for those interested in new library activities. I am anxious to see what results she gathered. The Rotary Club members came to help us with the various games and then gave out the “prizes” (their back-to-school bags) at the end of the event. The kids seemed to have a great time and the adults enjoyed it just as much.

The libraries serve as community outreach centers for the work here. The kids events have been the most successful for turn-outs, but it was wonderful to see the kids show up to this event with their parents. We were able to mix and mingle with many of the families, and I am excited to see what will come from many of these relationships.

The Gincana went so well that we are brainstorming a possible biannual event (maybe around Halloween). Our Porvenir library representatives were there (the location in Miraflores). Tomorrow I sit down with them to discuss the future kids events in their library and setting a date for a Gincana in their area. We will keep you posted. Enjoy the pictures.