Located in the heart of the town of San Juan la Laguna, Guatemala, the Community Library Rija’tzuul Na’ooj regularly buzzes with activity. In one corner of the library, a new area provides a space for schoolchildren to partake in educational games. On the other side of the main room, younger children listen attentively as a volunteer reads aloud during storytime. And once a week, an elder resident of the community sits down with teenagers to share a little bit of his or her wisdom attained throughout a lifetime.

However, if one listens closely, one might hear the children playing with one another in their maternal language of Tz’utujil. Books for story time are often read in this Mayan language. And the grandparents who volunteer their time to take part in the Pixab’, which provides an opportunity to teach young people traditional customs and etiquette that have been passed down from generation to generation in the Tz’utujil indigenous communities. More.

See: Rising Voices