Book Delivery Update
September 07, 1999

Dear Supporter,

Jeff and Horacio from our Guatemala Office recently visited all of the
schools that received textbooks last year.  The teachers and principals made
the following comments, which I think you will find both interesting and
touching.  They give you an idea of the impact that you are having through
your support of this project:

Lanquín School: Principal: "The books are a great benefit.  They have made
SUCH a difference."  [With books] the students have improved their
performance, perhaps 90%..."

El Estor Coop School: Principal: "From not having a book to having one is a
huge step.  One can cover a lot of material!"  Teacher: "It is so much
easier to prepare for class now.  Before we had to search for material
everywhere [and there was nothing to be found]".

Cahabon School: "The books help the teachers a lot; they also save them time
in preparation"  "There has been a definite increase in student's
performance, perhaps 75-80%"

Aldea Campur School: "The students are looking ahead in their books.  They
are so excited to learn now that they have books."

Chamil School: "Students read more now that we have books.  This will help
them in the future."  Before having books, if we gave an assignment that
required research, it would demoralize the students.  Many did not have
money to take a bus to the library (2 hours away) and many could not get
permission from their parents.  Now [with books] the students are much more
dynamic.  They read the books, come to me with questions, and I can show
them the answers - right in the book!"

El Rosario School: a teacher: "A book helps me VERY much.  It used to be
that in 40 minutes you couldn't cover much material.  Now with books, we can
do so much more in class."

Santa Catarina School: "since I keep the records [of student's grades] I
have seen that their performance has improved greatly.  Before about 60% of
the students maintained GPAs in the 30-50% range.  After receiving our
books, the number of students in this range has dropped to about 30%." "We
try to run a strict program at this school.  We prefer to have fewer
students and maintain a high quality of education, but before we couldn't
graduate our students...now they are graduating.  The books are really
making a difference."

Thank you for all that you do.

Jeff and Joe B.