Libraries and the homeless

In 2009 I vacationed in Thailand for a couple of days. I was able to participate in many activities, eat and shop with the dollar at a better exchange rate. What I noticed was a country stuck in poverty. The area I visited had a lot of street dogs and animals being exploited for money. People trying any way to make money and even begging on the streets. It didn't surprise me that children were trying to work and beg at a young age. Their living conditions and the fact that they were working and begging on the streets made me wonder if they were able to attend school and get an education. Noticing the alarming rate and conditions of the homeless children The Library Train Project was established. The Streetside Railway Police Teachers Program developed this project assisting homeless children by teaching them basic literacy skills and social norms for society in the hopes of educating them and getting them off the street. Two train carriages were transformed into a library with donated books. Volunteer police men and women help to educate and teach the children life skills with the hopes of getting them off the street and assist with a road to a better life. This idea is amazing and innovative. The volunteers turned the train carriages to give the children something positive in their life and a safe place for the children to learn. I thought about how I work to make the library a safe and positive area. Every student is important and can be heard. I recently discovered that there are students who live in group homes and foster care. Some of them may have the option to go home once their living situation changes or they make life adjustments. They may have a roof over their head, but some of them do not have a place to call home. It breaks my heart, but I try to provide the students with a comfortable welcoming environment to learn and work. They come in often to escape the environment outside, working on assignments and accessing library resources. I always listen, encourage and provide engaging activities for her to connect and feel safe in the library. 
                         

Works Cited

Cheunwattana, Aree, and Pimol Meksawat. Small Is Beautiful: The Library Train for Homeless Children. 1 Aug. 2001. EBSCOhost, research.ebsco.com/linkprocessor/plink?id=1ea93b97-9e1b-377d-8135-9f7335bd6e57.