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The Navajo Nation is the largest Indian Reservation in the United States. It extends over parts of Arizona, Utah and New Mexico and is roughly the size of West Virginia. Much of the reservation lacks running water, electricity, and reliable internet access. Literacy resources are scarce - there are no bookstores, many schools lack libraries, the only two small public libraries are located in Window Rock, in the far east side of the reservation, and Tuba City, in the far west. Chinle, the site of this project, is in the center of the reservation, over 100 miles from either of the two libraries.
Need: Nearly 50% of Navajo families have no running water, no electricity, no internet, no libraries. This means that children have limited access to educational materials - no books, no place to borrow or buy books without driving over 100 miles. Students begin preschool and kindergarten already significantly behind in basic literacy skills - it's hard to learn to read when there is almost nothing to read!
Recent test scores indicate that 67% of 3rd graders and 89% of high school students are significantly deficient in reading proficiency. These test scores are important predictors of future academic success and student "drop-out" rates. Literacy research again and again has shown that how well a child is doing in 3rd grade is the best indicator of how well that child will do in life.
Chinle Planting Hope (CPH) is an indigenous nonprofit organization created to overcome some of these problems. Over the past several years, CPH board members and volunteers have obtained a variety of grants and have created a lending library/bookmobile, a thrift store, a gardening center and a bicycle lending/repair shop. Last year their lending library /bookmobile became a reality and makes regular visits to area schools that lack libraries as well as becoming part of community events so Navajo of all ages have regular access to books and magazines. Their newest project is the creation of the The Imagination Station Learning Center, an all-weather indoor facility that will be a "gathering place" where families and children will have access not only to books, but also computers, STEAM (Science, Technology, Environment, Art, and Math) hands-on activities in areas called Maker-Space. This will also be a place for both individual and group learning experiences and special presentations with guidance from adults. It will be a safe and welcoming place for children to explore, play, and learn when it is too hot during the summer (or a sandstorm is blowing through) or too cold during the winter, for outside activities.
This global grant will supply materials for equipping the permanent structure that will house all these components: learning and exploration centers, classes, STEAM activities, and more for toddlers through teens. A reading area and library will be an anchor for the already successful bookmobile. There will be a café for nutrition and cooking classes, as well as a place for parents and community members to relax, talk, share ideas, and plan projects.
For several years, Chinle Planting Hope has been working with another indigenous nonprofit, Read at Home, local schools, community leaders, plus several Rotary Clubs and a variety of volunteer groups. Long-term collaboration has resulted in significant progress toward the goals of creating community and supporting literacy. This new project, The Imagination Station Learning Center, will provide a comfortable and safe indoor place where children and families can enjoy a "browsing library," explore learning centers, computer centers, and special "hands on" educational and creative activities, similar to what many public libraries and children's museums provide in most U.S. towns and cities.
A few statistics: Over 10,000 donated books have been cataloged and are part of an active lending library - Read in Beauty Bookmobile.
Over 1500 students are the proud owners of library cards
Over 6,000 books have been checked out
Since the beginning of 2024, the Read in Beauty Bookmobile is bringing books regularly to schools that do not have libraries and to communities at local events.
The community center now includes a lending library/bookmobile, thrift store, a bicycle repair shop plus bikes and helmets given to children (once they complete their biking class at school), a community garden, and soon The Imagination Station Learning Center.
However, to fully realize the potential of The Imagination Station Learning Center, additional support is required to complete the interior, furnish the space, and procure essential STEAM resources such as computers, 3D printers, books, quality magazines, and educational materials.
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