. . . in taking a stand against the insidious blight of illiteracy in one of the most poverty-stricken counties in the United States. Recently hosting its first Books for the Border and Beyond project at the Pharr Memorial Library (Hidalgo county), La Frontera Ministries provided beginning home libraries to 51 underprivileged children, chosen on the basis of most need.

At the family reading fair, children were treated to author Sandy Trevizo's reading of her bilingual book, Kyla and Carlos, accompanied by a larger-than-life appearance of the book's main characters. Parents received instruction on the critical importance of reading to their children, in a separate workshop, and then joined with their children to pick out books and decorate bookcases.

Families departed the event with Bibles, nine books, bookcases, small floor rugs, and library cards. These materials represented the tools needed for family literacy engagement--along with hope for success in school and the future.

La Frontera Ministries International seeks to change lives on both sides of the US - Mexico border by recognizing and mobilizing existing gifts within communities, and coming alongside with education, training, development, and other assistance. It envisions constructing healthy and transformed societies through the partnership of churches, schools, individuals, and community assets.

Literacy Connexus is proud to partner with such a visionary and worthwhile border ministry.