Dominga Pereira: Committed to Her Community
The Street Library is an initiative that helps ATD Fourth World build trust with children in their neighborhood and encourage their families to get involved. A notable example is Dominga Pereira, a mother of two grown children, who took part in the program when her children were younger.
Dominga arrived in Lima from the countryside when she was just 14 years old, and she has since made the La Vizcachera neighborhood her home. She is now 62 and remembers well the excitement she felt at being part of the community’s actions.
“Since it [the Street Library] began, it [has] motivated me to spend time with children. I used to come and help because there weren’t many allies. The mothers worked, I had a bit of [free] time in the afternoon, so I came to support”.
“I became aware of ATD Fourth World when Ángela and Alberto Ugarte [two Volunteer Corps members] started coming to the community, I think this was in 2007. My daughter was young at the time. They gathered the children in a neighbor’s house. Then they moved to the church patio. [At the time], they came on Thursdays.”
Over the years, Dominga took on greater responsibility with the Street Library, becoming one of its vital allies. Her journey with the ATD Fourth World enabled her to understand the importance of reading with the children.
“Before, I didn’t read; now I do. I sit next to the children to look at their books and drawings. I explain what happens in the book to them […]. When it comes to Saturday [the day of the Street Library], I think ‘what are we going to do at the Library, what materials are we going to need?’”
Thanks to her collaborative nature, Dominga is also part of other cultural initiatives such as the Abuelas y Abuelos Cuentacuentos (Storytelling Grandparents), organized by the Casa de Literatura Peruana (the House of Peruvian Literature). Following comprehensive training in oral narration, older volunteers lead storytelling sessions in schools, libraries, hospitals, and other institutions.
Without a doubt, Dominga puts all her hope in culture and the love of books to move forward.
“ATD Fourth World is an aid for children; it motivates them to continue studying, and they start reading stories. They must study to be working professionals because with study, they can overcome extreme poverty”.