About us

Sarah's Rural Library Fund supports the work of the Rural Libraries Project in Cajamarca, Northern Peru. The Libraries promote literacy and equality in the indigenous communities of the high Andes. This organisation is run entirely by volunteers who walk through the mountains carrying books on their backs, exchanging the books between libraries that are held in people's homes. It has been in existence for more than 50 years.

There are 74,000 registered readers, 400 libraries and 40 co-ordinators - all volunteers who work with isolated communities living in adobe brick houses with no electricity, plumbing, heating or running water. 

The Libraries have been responsible for publishing more than 200 different books on a variety of practical subjects including farming, weaving and hat making, all to keep the local indigenous skills alive. They have transcribed the traditional tales from the elders into stories that are then retold by the children and adults who are learning to read, keeping a record of the tales from the mountains.

One of the most requested publications is the Peruvian constitution. This is used, along with other law books, to help the local farmers establish their legal rights as their land sits on the world's second biggest gold reserve which is being mined by a large international conglomerate with drastic environmental consequences.