Concepción de Maria is a farming and cattle-raising community located close to the Nicaraguan border in the hot, mountainous region of Choluteca in southern Honduras, 161 km southeast of Tegucigalpa. A colonial town with cobblestone streets, Concepción has approximately 1,000 people in the central urban area and another 31,000 in its surrounding rural communities. The Biblioteca Publica Allen Andersson is located in the community's central park and was inaugurated on February 13, 2002.
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Community volunteers begin construction in May 2001.
Carrying rocks from the river to build the foundation.
The library's foundation in June 2001.
Vilma Yamileth Ordoñez graduates the librarian training workshop in November 2001.
The library building in January 2002.
A joint ribbon-cutting on inauguration day in February 2002.
Community members using the library's computers.
Kids exploring the book collection in March 2002.
Librarians Mirna and Yami with U.S. volunteer librarian Arlie at July 2002 training.
A celebration of the library's one year anniversary in February 2003.