Extraordinary Library Supporters

Animal Welfare Activist and Children's Author Sends Books to HB!

2012-01-11T08:15:00.000-08:00

Laura and the real Tommy dog

California children's author, animal welfare activist, and literacy advocate Laura Marlowe was inspired to write Tommy the Throwaway Dog --based on a true story-- that is being used to educate youngsters and students about the value of kindness to all and the importance of empathy. The book is also available in Spanish: Tommy el Perro de Usar y Tirar. Laura learned about Tommy quite by accident, thanks to her love of reading and concern for animal welfare.

Laura generously decided to share some copies of her book with the kids at HB, and here's how she found out about us:


Laura reads "Tommy" with children in LA

After the book’s release, a friend of mine, who runs a children’s support program in Yucatan State, obtained 40 copies of the Spanish version of the book for her students to help educate them about the right way to treat our animal friends while at the same time add to their reading enrichment.

Some time afterward, I decided to donate some copies of the Spanish version to either a school or library in the Yucatan; during my research of candidates, information about Hekab Be popped up. I gladly read all about it and was SO impressed and inspired by this nonprofit library and educational center. Happily, the book eventually made its way down to Hekab Be thanks to one of the kind volunteers and is currently being read by the patrons.

Kids at HB enjoying reading Laura's book!

I am happy to know that the children who visit Hekab Be have opportunity to enjoy the story and the book’s color illustrations while learning its important message, and that the book can facilitate animal welfare discussions and projects at the library. The book continues to make impact on children and adults in the U.S., including Puerto Rico, and abroad, utilized by a variety of reading enrichment and animal welfare institutions in classes, programs and special events, and added to many home bookshelves and school libraries.

Currently associated with Reading Is Fundamental So. Cal, (and formerly with Adult Literacy Program of Greater L.A.), I deeply appreciate the folks that worked together diligently to create Hekab Be and all the staff and volunteers that continue to enlighten, encourage and inspire the patrons and visitors in so many areas and subjects.

Tommy and Hekab Be go together well as they both are symbols of the value of kindness and the possibility of second chances.

I hope to pay a visit to Hekab Be before too long and meanwhile wish everyone Happy Reading and Happy New Year!

"Tommy" brings a smile to a child in Akumal

Hekab Be Thanks Jessica Ulrich, her Family and her friend Kristin!

2011-07-27T15:09:00.000-07:00

Jessica’s parents visited a school in Costa Maya while on a vacation cruise and she and her family were planning on returning there for a vacation, but the hotel they ended up staying at was about 3 hours away from the Costa Maya. As such, they decided to look for another school to donate to. They found out about Hekab Be from another donor that had shared their experience with Hekab Be online. As it turned out, Hekab Be was only 20 minutes from where they were staying so it worked out perfectly.

Jessica’s inspiration:

My inspiration for donating to the Akumal library came to a tangible vision when my parents came back from a cruise that stopped near Costa Maya, where they joined up with a church group that went to a small local school. The church group brought school supplies, and my parents told me all about it when they returned from their vacation. I felt compelled to do something to help children and adults alike receive supplies to aid in their learning. My ultimate inspiration is from St. Francis of Assisi who said, "Preach the Gospel and if necessary use words".

Hekab Be would like to thank Jessica, Kristin and the Ulrich family for their support and generosity!

Keith and Crystal Gravitt, Library Angels!

2011-07-27T09:54:00.000-07:00

Crystal and her husband Keith Gravitt are relative newcomers to Akumal. Their first visit was only last year but they quickly spotted the needs of the community, despite the fact that most first time vacationers don't focus on anything but vacation.

The Gravitt's quickly became a part of our new Library Angels program, and despite the economy, sponsored 2 children for the summer program in June and then a whopping 17 more children in July!! We now have 19 very happy Akumal children who thank Crystal and Keith for the sponsorship and ongoing support!

Hekab Be Children Learn About Picasso!

2011-04-12T09:27:00.000-07:00

Carol Current came to the library on a weekly basis for over a month to do art projects with the kids, she and the children had a great time! Read on to see what Carol has to say about her experience working with the kids at Hekab Be:

My husband and I have been spending 3 months in Aventuras for Akumal
for the past 4 winters. The first winters I checked out books and did some shelving at the Hekab Be
library. I was hesitant about working with the kids because I don't speak Spanish, but Carlos, the library
manager, assured me that the children needed to hear English spoken and he would translate for me.

And so this winter started preparing art lessons for the kids ages 2-13, who are in an after
school program which helps them keep up with their homework. Carlos and his helpers, Reina and Nayla
do an amazing job working with the children. The children listen and are attentive during the lessons.
They do their best work. Their favorite art project I did with them was Picasso. We talked about Picasso and his art and
they created their own self-portraits using colored markers. One of the boys as he left the library commented ,
"And next week I am going to draw this, as he pointed to a self-portrait of Picasso." They loved Picasso!
And I loved thinking up projects for them to do and getting to know them better each week.
They were a joy to work with and I look forward to spending time in the library again next winter.

Carol

In Loving Memory

2011-02-21T12:59:00.000-08:00

Hekabe Be is sad to say goodbye to long time library supporter and friend, Terri Gerbrandt. Terri passed away peacefully at home after a long battle with cancer on January 27, 2011.

Terri and her husband Dave have been traveling to Akumal for many years and have supported the library through all of this time. They have always participated in all of the fund raising events and have always given generously to the library. No matter how much damage was done by the storms, we were able to rebuild and continue educating the local children with the help of all our supporters.

Terri was an amazing woman who had strength, grace, humor and courage and despite what she went through, was always there to help out others. She will be deeply missed but never forgotten.

Hekab Be will be hanging a plaque in the library dedicated to Terri’s memory.

Extraordindary Volunteers at HB

2010-05-03T10:22:00.000-07:00

Robert, Hannah & Betty pose with their pirate friends at HB
From November 2009-March 2010, Hekab Be was fortunate to have the Gilgoffs, a family from Vancouver, join our team as regular volunteers. Over the course of the many months they were in Akumal, we got to meet all the members of their family, Betty & Robert, and their wonderful children Hannah, Adam & Sara. During that time they collaborated at the library in a myriad of ways, from giving English classes, to helping wrap Christmas gifts and make the pinata, to teaching the kids, to just plain having fun and playing around. It is rare to find people as dedicated as this wonderful family, so willing to share of themselves, generous not only with their time, but even more so, with their hearts. All we can say is THANK YOU GILGOFFS! You will be sorely missed as you left your mark on all of us at Hekab Be.

Hannah with her usual entourage of kids....her attentions were always in high demand!

Robert rehearses the Christmas song with the kids

Betty and some kids admire their book in progress....

Betty Gilgoff was kind enough to share her thoughts about the time she and her family spent volunteering with us. Here is her description of their time volunteering at Hekab Be:

‘U Paliail Hekab Be’ – Mayan for ‘Children of the Open Road’ to me will always be a very special group of Akumal children whom we have come to know through the Hekab Be Biblioteca. For four and a half months this past winter my husband Robert, my now 16 year-old daughter Hannah, and I chose to live in Akumal specifically for the purpose of volunteering and getting involved with the Hekab Be Biblioteca. We had been living in Spain as a part of a 10 month adventure away from our home in Vancouver, Canada when, as the weather got colder, as our legal right as Canadians to stay in the EU was about to expire, and as our frustration with our inability to get involved with the local Spanish/Catalan community in Majorca, Spain increased, I stumbled on an invitation on the Hekab Be website from Akumal’s small community run biblioteca to come and get involved. So we booked our tickets and arrived unsure of just what we could possibly offer or what that involvement would look like. We were enthusiastic, patient, and willing to do whatever was needed with whatever skills a retired psychologist, an elementary school teacher with a strong technology background, and an outgoing energetic and athletic 15 year-old could bring to the task.

Unfortunately even between the three of us, we lacked one important skill, a fluency with the Spanish language. Carlos, the very able, wise and welcoming assistant director at the biblioteca was undaunted. He patiently explained that the Hekab Be Biblioteca welcomed volunteers. “But what can we do?” we asked. He didn’t provide any easy answers although he did tell us that the biblioteca has a good number of visitors from away offer drop-in, one-off classes for the children. He explained that the staff at the biblioteca, the director Leo, the assistant Belen and he often took on translating to make the classes work, but that such classes weren’t ideal on a long term basis. If we could do something different that didn’t rely on them, that would be great, he coached.

As a teacher I was determined that we weren’t going to come in and create more work for the staff. Our goal was to volunteer to help, to actually be of assistance. But how? Well first I felt that we ought to get a feel for the culture of the place. We had to learn who the kids were and what they needed. So without any other agenda we just started showing up at the biblioteca three, sometimes four times a week. We rarely offered “classes,” although we did do the occasional art project, card game or new playground activity, mostly without translation and instead with a great deal of energetic and creative sign language, thanks to Hannah. More often we tried to get to know the children and help them with whatever we could.

Over the four and a half months that we were in Akumal, we each found our own way of engaging the children. Hannah and Robert each have a pretty nutty sense of humor. They enjoy clowning and laughing. Hannah is not afraid to make mistakes and so dove into Spanish, having the children teach her new phrases and silly expressions. She made some fast friends with children and adults and reveled in the eagerness with which flocks of children joined into her adventures such as having one little fellow show up with a crumpled piece of paper, announcing to Hannah that it was clearly a pirate map and so they were off into the trees looking for treasure.

Robert also easily found his niche initially by finding a guitar so that by Christmas time he was accompanying singers at the festivities. He too enjoyed games outside and so would take on being the monster, the “tiburon” or the “vampiro” in the impromptu games of tag that the children called for again and again, apparently happy to have an adult get silly and just play. Robert also treasured some of the quieter times, particularly with some of the older boys reading in Spanish or even occasionally in English. Much of the time that Hannah and Robert spent at the bibiloteca was actually out of doors sometimes exasperated at the lack of fair play and turn taking on the playground, other times delighted with the agility and persistence the children showed.

My role was a little more difficult for me to sort out probably because typically in my role as a teacher I clearly must talk too much. I found it hard to engage without having enough language to verbally express my interest, curiosity, and willingness to help. I started bringing decks of playing cards and eventually had some of the children practicing times tables with me with the cards. I tended to follow the staff around a little more and ask for direction as to who to help with what. In the later months as we started on a book project, I often brought in my laptop computer to have children write bits and pieces about themselves. That coupled with the opportunity to see some of the pictures Hannah was taking of them on the screen gave me a bit more status some days, and occasionally I even had lineups of children waiting for a turn to work with me.

Once we’d earned a bit of a place, we were asked to try picking up both the children’s and the adults’ English classes for a couple of months while the regular volunteer teacher was away. With three of us planning for very diverse groups it turned out to be a real challenge that we didn’t feel particularly successful at but we had a lot of fun trying. Also in the final months, Robert, Hannah and I worked together on a book of the pictures of the U Paliail Hekab Be’, adding text all in Spanish about each of the children and adults who came to mean so much to us. Making the book really cemented for us how truly special these children are and what an amazing experience they helped to create for us.

Although we came to Akumal determined to get involved, we credit much of our being welcomed into the community to all of those who make up Hekab Be. Despite the adversity that this struggling library operates under, including but not limited to the ongoing struggle for stable financial support, or the revolving door of consistent community involvement, the children and community couldn’t have been more open, welcoming and generous with us.

And all of us at HB feel the same about the Gilgoffs!!

Simona from San Giorgio, Italy

2010-03-23T15:36:00.000-07:00

Simona Groppi is one of the Library’s regular supporters. She is from San Giorgio, Italy, which is a province of Piacenza, and fell in love with Akumal, like most of us, the first time she saw it in December 2008. She says the smiling people; wonderful colors, smells and tastes, made her feel like she was at home.

Simona first learned about the library on Facebook through some friends who worked at Akumal Beach Resort and then learned more on Locogringo’s web site. She says that she chose to help the library because she has a love for books and reading and the literacy of all nations. She found that the aim of the Library; to promote reading and culture, was very interesting and, in a wonderful way, unusual for these times.

She loves to say, “I'm lucky. I'm not rich but I had a lot in my life, and I especially had the good fortune to be able to study, to learn lots of wonderful things and to improve my own culture.” Because of this her monthly donations are her way of “sharing with people that have less than me, and to give them more opportunities and hope for the future.”

Our little library would like to take this opportunity to thank Simona for her generosity, and hope she will be an inspiration to other people young and old, that it only takes one person to make a difference.

Muchas Gracias Simona!

Thanks to Mamaroneck Fashion Club for Art Aprons!

2010-02-10T08:16:00.000-08:00

My name is Diane Nelson and I live in and teach Home and Career Skill in the Mamaroneck School District north of New York City. My brother and sister in law visited Akumal 2 years ago and told me about the library, so I went online and saw that you needed aprons for your art program. One of my high school students, Jessica Cardenas, started a Fashion Club this year, so I suggested they make aprons for your library. I purchased the fabric and about eight high school students came to my classsroom every Monday after school to sew the aprons. Some of the kids have family originally from Mexico so they felt good giving back and also proud that they were making something homemade. We took a family trip to Mexico this past December, and one afternoon, my husband and I dropped off the aprons when Carlos was having an art class with the kids so it was a perfect time to show up. The kids were very excited to get their own apron and they looked so cute.

(click on photos to see larger image)

An Extraordinary Journey

2009-12-10T12:20:00.000-08:00

Hekab Be staff and Mexico board members would like to extend mil gracias to Dr. Armando Matiz Reyes and Susan Morrel-Samuels, MPH, of the University of Michigan School of Public Health, for coming to Akumal and sharing their expertise in the areas of community-based participatory research and the photovoice methodology.
From December 3-5, Armando & Susan led Hekab staff, board members and community members through a series of workshops focused on increasing the involvement of Akumal's adolescents in library programs. During this process, participants began to realize the many different ways that the library can better extend its programs to meet needs in the community. It was an amazing journey!

Our most heartfelt thanks to Susan & Armando for sharing of their time and themselves with us! Also many many thanks to Debby and Bruce Oakley, who once again helped us out by making this connection and helping to cover the costs for Susan & Armando's visit to Akumal.

Muchas Gracias Tom y Maggie!

2009-10-26T15:57:00.000-07:00

Tom (aka Tortuga Tom) and his wife Maggie have been sponsoring the once yearly Labor Day Party for the Library. We are very thankful for people like the Cochrans and wanted to take the opportunity to thank them for their thoughtfulness and continued support.

A word from Tom: We live in a small town in PA of about 3000 people. It is quiet and peaceful. I have been in Production Management most of my life and Maggie is in the trust/investment business. We have one son, Steven. His wonderful wife Tara has given us two beautiful granddaughters, Jessica and Rebecca.
They are the lights of our lives.

We became enraptured with the library the first time we were there, thanks to LocoGringo's spreading the word.

We look at our two beautiful granddaughters' smiling faces and wonder about their futures. We look at all that they have and the opportunities ahead of them. One could be president, the other may cure cancer. Or they may be accountants and housewives. We can't wait to find out what the future holds for them.
Then we go to Akumal and visit the library. There we see kids that have so little but the shining eyes and beaming smiles are the same. The laughter is the same that we hear from our babies. We want to help those kids to have the same opportunities that our girls will have. They deserve no less. We are fortunate to be able to do our little piece for those wonderful kids and hope to be able to do so for a long time to come.

The Labor Day Parties sort of just happened. We planned a little get together and the thought came up to collect some money for the kids. Since then it has taken on a life of its own. This years' 4th Annual Party raised almost $600 US for the library. We were all so proud and happy, and still are. We are already looking forward to the 5th Annual Labor Day Party and what it may bring.

Thank you Tony & Joanne Kopacz!

2009-06-03T07:01:00.000-07:00

Special thanks to Tony & Joanne for their donation to help us get a new water installation at the library! The water line has been needed since the bridge construction began and our old line was cut off.

A message from Tony about why they support the library:
From the first time our family (Joanne and I, my mother and sister) experienced Akumal in 1999 we all felt the magic of the area. The local people were an inspiration to us with their hard work, friendly nature and commitment to family. After visiting the library and seeing the hard working people there who truly care for the people it serves, we just wanted to help things along. It has always been a highlight of our trips to visit at the library.

Our gratitude to Debby & Bruce Oakley

2009-03-25T13:07:00.000-07:00

Bruce & Debby Oakley, holding the animals the library children made as a token of our appreciation for all the Oakleys have done for Hekab Be.

Super library supporters Debby & Bruce Oakley really went above and beyond in helping the library this year. Always loyal, the Oakleys have been library supporters for many years. But this year, they did a number of additional projects that really helped keep things lively and initiate some new projects at the library:

*They put up a $2000 US challenge grant in January that helped us to start the year off right with operating expenses for over 2 months.

*They invited and sponsored our first intern, Yilin, who was here for a month and helped us write a funding proposal to start a peer education-mentorship project next year.

*They provided the idea (& did a fair amount of the fundraising) for the contest to create a new library logo with children's art work.

And that's just to mention a few of the bigger things they did. Debby also held regular meetings with library staff to help brain storm and solve some of our larger issues (such as the bathroom). Overall, they brought wonderful energy to the library as well as some great ideas and a substantial amount of much needed material support.

As a small thank you, the kids made animals out of plates and construction paper which we gave to the Oakleys to show our appreciation. They modestly accepted this gift, telling us that they help the library because it's their gift to future generations.

THANK YOU DEBBY & BRUCE!!
The world (& our little library) is a better place because of people like you!

Reuniting with "family"

2009-02-04T08:41:00.000-08:00

For over a year, Gary and Martha Bemis have been providing financial support for Erik, a 5 year old from Akumal who is developmentally challenged, and attends a special school in Playa del Carmen. The Bemis' support pays for daily transportation for Erik and his mother to and from the school. Erik's mom cannot work because taking care of him is a full time job, so without the Bemis' help she wouldn't be able to take Erik to the school.

Erik at Hekab Be

In late January Gary & Martha had a reunion with Erik & his family. It was a touching moment of connection for everyone there, with some tears, many hugs and much mutual appreciation.

In the year since Gary & Martha last saw Erik, he has learned to walk on his own (when they last saw him, his mother still used a stroller to get around with him). They commented that, in general, Erik has made so much progress in his motor control, and his mother told them all about the different ways his school is helping him become more independent and self-sufficient.

Although Gary and Martha are very modest about "the little" they do, it has made an enormous difference in the lives of Erik's family.

And the feeling is mutual, as Gary wrote:
We saw Pilar (Erik's older sister) and she ran up and hugged us...and when we left we both got the best hug and kiss....you know I don't think we have ever gotten such a gift from such an angel. We just wish we could do more and spend more time with our extended family. Our hearts belong to Erik and his family.

All of us at Hekab Be are inspired by this warm set of relationships that we have been able to help facilitate.

Are you interested in helping to sponsor the educational needs of a child from Akumal? If so, please contact us at: akumallibrary@gmail.com

December - Special thanks to Henry & Barbara Youzwak

2008-12-21T09:05:00.000-08:00

library regulars wearing t-shirts made by Barb

A note from the Youzwaks:

Henry and Barbara Youzwak – We were both born and raised in Albany, New York. Travel has been an important part of our lives! We recently spent our 20th trip in the beautiful Mexican state of Quintana Roo. Several years ago – 2002 we began staying at Akumal Beach Resort. Prior to the trip Barb found out that a small grassroots library existed in Akumal and given her library background, decided to help out initially with library supplies. Then she made t-shirts and this latest trip warmer winter clothing that she gathered from friends. Barb retired from her work last year as a page for her town’s library. It has been a pleasure to sponsor this library and we look forward to continue doing so in the future!

The Youzwak's most recent donation

November - special thanks to Lori Amble and friends who visited the Library in October with supplies and, to the CCC Organization

2008-10-30T11:35:00.001-07:00

From left to right, front row: Melody Neilan, Marie Gockel, Debbie Kremers, Michelle Land,
Back row: Lori Amble, Mary Haynes, Peggy MacKay & Lance Gockel, Not pictured: Sandra Reed.

Very Happy Kids!

Clothing (& other) donations for the library bazaar fund-raiser.

A note from Lori:

Many of us made our own contributions but this fall during Back to School night (my son is in the Shawnee Mission Northwest (high school) Cougars Community Commitment Organziation, or CCC ) I mentioned to Ron Poblau that we were going back to Mexico in October his response was simple, "Tell me what they need." When my daughter was in high school and in CCC she had organized a school supply drive for the children of Xcalak so he was familiar with what we were trying to accomplish. All of us have or had children in CCC during high school. I believe they are better adults because of it.

Here is the link to CCC http://selkywolf.com/ccc/index.html at Shawnee Mission Northwest High School in Shawnee, KS. Ron Poblau is the instructor and was named 2006 Teacher of the Year. Here is Ron's response to my email: CCC is a daily class whose motto is simply THE DOER OF GOOD BECOMES GOOD. For the duration of the semester, students perform acts of kindness for numerous individuals. Our next big event will be Thanksgiving Day Food Boxes. Simply put: these are some of the best young men and women. It is a privilege to work with them. He tells me they do not need any credit but my thought is if you tell this story it is possible other schools will be willing to help the Library too.

Lori

September - Special thanks to Gary & Martha Bemis

2008-09-17T11:45:00.000-07:00

This is Gary & Martha with Erik and his mother Leydi. They are, and have been sponsoring his school tuition and transportation to Playa.

A note from Gary:

There really isn't much to say about Martha and I. We are like many on LocoGringo, we support the library because we saw first hand the work that is being done and we know there is much more that needs to be done.

Seeing the library and the children the first time stole our hearts and from there we knew we needed to do whatever we could to support the children in Akumal.

It wasn't hard to see through the smiles and bright eyes of the children that your work and those that help you is important to the little ones.

Giving is not hard when children and education is involved.

Gary