Do you have books to donate? Inmates at the women’s jail in Azogues would appreciate them

I am Frances Hogg Lochow, president of Corazónes de Oro/Hearts of Gold. Our foundation primarily helps women, children and disabled persons. Recently, I met with Maria Cabrera, the warden of the women’s prison, CPL No. 2, Azogues Carcel Cañar, with a request on behalf of the inmates.

The prison currently holds 100 women and two infants. The inmates attend classes in the morning and then are left with nothing to do. This leads to frustration and depression. The women crave reading materials, and there are very few. Only four of the incarcerated are fluent in English, so the greatest need is for Spanish materials.

I was able to donate books in English and some Spanish language magazines, but we need many more. Sole Riquetti de Gould of La Yunta Tienda y Cocina and La Yunta Restopub has offered to collect books. If you have some to donate, you may leave them at the La Yunta locations or contact me at frances@heartsofgoldfoundation.org.

The donations must be screened before they can be delivered. (How to Plan Your Prison Break and other books containing razor blades and packets of drugs will probably not pass muster.) The women would appreciate women’s magazines, romance, adventure and mystery novels. Board games and puzzle books such as sopa de letras and crucigramas (word search and crosswords) will also be welcome.

It may also be possible for volunteers to teach crafts to the women. Participants will be limited to ten per class and will be selected by the warden. If you are interested, please contact me. The warden will need a description of the proposed project, how long you believe the class will take, and a list of all supplies that will be provided by you. Some items, such as knitting needles and scissors might not be appropriate.

I want to make the book and games donation by August 1st.

Your understanding, your enthusiasm and your donations are appreciated and can bring light to the lives of women during their darkest days.
____________________

Frances Hogg Lochow is a 14-year resident of Cuenca, the author of What’s Cookin’ Cuenca?and the founder of the Cuenca Writers Collective. She volunteers for various charitable organizations.