Brenda Cleary

View My Profile

View My Projects

Snapshot
Programmatic Focus:
  • Holistic Community Development
Country:

Guatemala

Participating Communities:

Chiche

Partner Organization:

The Riecken Foundation

Artistic Medium:

Visual Arts - Giant Storybooks

Hand to Hand - Giant Story Book on Integrity
(03/01/2008 - 04/30/2008)
Project Planning
Background and Needs:

Hand to Hand is an existing Riecken Foundation program that meets regularly with a group of young people to discuss three values throughout the year. The values for 2008 are Integrity, Solidarity, and Social Commitment. This project will incorporate discussions on integrity into an interactive process and a tangible product.

Collaborative Goal:

To increase awareness of the partner organization’s mission through art and engage more people in its work.

Project Objective:

During March and April 2008, participating Chiche youth in the Hand to Hand program will enhance their conception of the value of integrity.

Project Description:

This project will last two months and will be conducted in conjunction with the Hand to Hand program's unit on integrity. The project will start with a general discussion about integrity, which will be the basis for a storyboard. The Hand to Hand group will work together to draw and paint the story on one by five meter sheets. The book will be part of the library's collection and be a tool librarians can use to discuss values.

Partner Organization Collaboration:

The Riecken Foundation expressed their interest for an art project to complement the Hand to Hand program's unit on integrity.

Planned Activities:

  • Meet with the Hand to Hand group to introduce the giant storybook idea, discuss the value of integrity and brainstorm ideas for a storybook.
  • Design a storyboard for the book.
  • Draw and paint the storybook.
  • Present final product to the library.

Project Resources
Images
Results & Reflections
Results & Impact:

The book was given to the library as part of its collection and was included during Story Time. It is the first book that focuses on the lives of indigenous Chichelenses and exists as the culmination of the history and values of the youth involved in creating it. The book will also serve as a long-lasting tool for librarians to teach about values such as integrity, solidarity, forgiveness and accountability. The story reflects many cultural issues that impact Guatemala today and shows how solidarity can overcome corruption and how youth can become positive leaders for their communities.

Community Participation:

Youth in the Hand to Hand program.

Sustainability:

The Hand to Hand youth were very involved in the process and I think it is one they can replicate. The final product is one that can be used again and again by the library to spark discussion on values.