Choosing-Part 3

Although I was not able to spend as much retirement time in Oaxaca as I would have liked to, I have visited often and established ties with the Oaxaca Lending Library and with CANFRO, Canadian Friends of Oaxaca.

In my retirement, I have discerned that literacy is my vocation. Libraries and access to learning are very close to my heart.

About 10 years ago, Mari no longer needed support and Gary Titus, the Learning Center founder, had passed away. I volunteered and participated in some tours that were offered through the library.

Libros para Pueblos is an organization that provides children’s libraries in village schools, in markets and in community spots where there is a need. They operate day tours to visit a library and usually two other rural sites. I have participated in a few of these tours. Besides schools, I have visited a cochineal farm, a baseball camp, Benito Juarez’s birthplace, a trout farm and an arts centre.

I have no grandchildren but I have always loved to visit children’s bookstores and to buy books for others. In Oaxaca, I volunteered to prepare books for the pueblo libraries.

A few years ago, I adopted my own library, a cart in the mercado 21 de noviembre in Oaxaca de Juarez, the city.

Many of the women,who are vendors in the market, come from pueblos and must bring their children to work. I sponsor a book cart and a librarian who visit the market regularly to provide books for the children.

Libros selects quality Mexican children’s books and trains oaxaqueños as librarians and puppeteers. Children, who might have little opportunity to experience books, benefit from the programs.

Sometimes, we make different choices in retirement. Although my choice is to live with a husband in Canada for most of the year, I visit Oaxaca often and have made a lasting connection through literacy.