It was my second week of helping check out books for students in the Central Abaco Primary School (CAPS) Library. I had this great childhood memory come to mind. It was my sister and I playing ‘library’ at home. We were blessed to have, what I remember, lots of books around. We would stand them all up on the book shelf and take turns being the Librarian. There were homemade library cards for the books and I even remember having an ink stamp to “check” out the books. Was this where I got my love for books, reading and education? It certainly was a start in the journey and a lot of fun, creative play for me and my sister.

Pictured Above: Carrie Veenstra works with a student in the CAPS Library. 

CAPS library continues to build its collection of books thanks to so many generous donors. We are doing our best to get the best fit books in the hands of the students. On top of once a week Library classes for each section of Grade 1-3 in the afternoons, CAPS educator Mrs. Celekah Mills, has other break times for grades 4-6 to come in and exchange books.

She organized and continues to oversee a Book Club that meets twice a month over the lunch hour. They read a book together and do a related activity. For some it might be because they enjoy the AC in the room but for most it is because they love to read or be read to!

Pictured Above: Mrs. Celekah Mills works with a CAPS student. 

As IMPACT teams have come to Abaco the past few months, we have been able to bring 5-6 people into the library to help volunteer at CAPS. They have helped clean shelves, check in new books, organize our non-fiction books, help small groups of Grade 1 students in reading skills, and read to several students.

The library is a busy place! Mrs. Celekah Mills is currently working with 21 students from the 3 sections of Grade 1 who are behind in their reading and math skills in the morning. We are working on foundational skills that are needed for them to be successful readers.

Pictured Above and Below: IMPACT team members work with CAPS students in the Library. 

To encourage community and reading, Celekah and I have started a Reading Picnic at the Murphy Town Community Center in Abaco. It is the second Saturday of each month in the morning. We lead singing, poems, reading, crafts, Bible stories, snacks and lots of movement! When there is an IMPACT team on the island we have been able to include them in the morning. It has been fun to see the numbers of kids and a few moms come as we connect with families and provide a morning of fun and learning.

Most recently I was reminded by some CAPS students how important the library is. I had a small box of books that were donated but not a good fit for our library. They were outdated or at a higher reading level than Grade 6. I was by the gate to leave and there was a group of students standing there during their lunch break. As they were opening the gate for me they asked what was in my box. I told them I had some books I was going to find a better place for. One girl asked to see them and when I pulled one out she grabbed it and started to thumb through the book. She was in Grade 6 and the book was full of pictures of old artwork and artists. She said she loved the pictures and asked if she could have it. I told her, of course! Before I knew it I had given away the whole box of books. One boy asked if he had to bring it back to the library when he was finished and I assured him he could have it and take the book home. There were faces of joy all around me and I was quickly reminded that these kids don’t have books at home and this was such a gift to them. There were several around me that didn’t get one and I was wishing that my box wasn’t empty.

Pictured Above: Books donated to the CAPS Library by IMPACT teams. 

The memories of playing Library with my sister has a whole different feel as I continue to learn about the Bahamian culture and how Abaco continues to struggle. Creative play was encouraged and supported by a home full of possibilities of things to do. I was blessed to be surrounded by books, exposed to written literature and read to. Many Hands for Abaco continues to support Education and I’m blessed to be a part of it.

— Carrie Veenstra

Many Hands is an Iowa-based nonprofit creating local and global life transformation. Established in 2008, the organization aims to ignite generosity, grow community, and take people on IMPACT journeys to carve a new, better path to life. Each year, the organization reaches at least 25,000 people through its operations in the Caribbean, IMPACT Trips serving in Abaco, Bahamas, and Many Hands Thrift Markets located in Iowa.

Many Hands is called to transform together, to be love in action, in a broken world.