Our Mission
Hekab Be promotes literacy and learning opportunities among children and adults in Quintana Roo, Mexico, in order to meet their educational goals. Serving as a tool for educational, social and economic progress, we provide individuals and families with resources for scholastic advancement, helping improve people’s language and literacy skills, while promoting cultural preservation and awakening the desire to understand other customs and ways of thinking.
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Hekab Be means “Open Road” in Maya, and this is what we strive to provide, an open road to learning, discovery, and better futures.
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The most important thing Hekab Be Biblioteca provides for the community is a free after-school program for local children. Activities incorporate English, Music, Art, Maya Culture and Language, Natural Science, Physical Education, Environmental Education, and Organic Gardening, as well as Homework Help. Our goal is to keep the children excited about learning, and allow them to experience the richness of opportunity available to them so they will stay in school and open more possibilities for their future.
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Our History
Did you know?
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The government set aside land in 1988 with the purpose of building a school for Akumal children. That school was built in 1990 and educated many children who are now local business owners or employees contributing to the modern-day viability of the Akumal community. In 1998, a school was built in the pueblo side of Akumal.
In 1998, two local families developed a plan to convert the original school into a library with the goal of teaching reading and writing to children and adults.
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And Hekab Be Bibllioteca was born.
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While the goal of teaching the local population to read and write was admirable, there was not a focus on providing for the long-term financial viability of the facility.
In 2008, a handful of expats and long-time visitors who wanted to support fundraising efforts created a US 501c3 with a desire to have a positive impact on the future of the Biblioteca. The goal was to create a short-term and long-term plan to support the library. The library began to flourish and the children were reaping the benefits.
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But by 2012, the library was again suffered from neglect, and lack of focus and fundraising. A series of directors/teachers were hired but no one stayed long-term. Finally, in 2016, Kaori Sueki, a teacher trained in the Montessori educational model, was hired to assist at Hekab Be. In 2018, Kaori took over the sole teacher's role. She was having a positive impact on the kids, but the funding was not available to do much more than keep the lights on.
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The decision was made to close Hekab Be Biblioteca in the Fall of 2019.
Enter Jennifer Smith.
Most of you know Jen and Bart Smith as owners of Turtle Bay Cafe & Bakery, and 25 year full-time residents of Akumal. What you might not know is how much energy, passion, and enthusiasm Jen has for Akumal, especially for the children of the pueblo. Oh... and Jennifer doesn't understand what the word "no" means.
What she did know was that our community could not afford to have the library shuttered, so she set out to tell everyone she met about Hekab Be.
About Us Now
Since late 2019, Jen has worked tirelessly to source donations, community support, and volunteers to help keep the library afloat. In 2020, she worked to identify and recruit a group of ex-pats that live here full-time who share her passion to fundraise, volunteer, and support the Biblioteca. These individuals now make up the new U.S. Board.
In less than 2 years - and in the middle of a pandemic - some lofty goals have been achieved with a few more big goals on the horizon.
This takes us to the present situation where we now have 3 teachers, a facility that has undergone extensive, much-needed renovations, and some high hopes for the future!
It's going to take a continued financial commitment to maintain our current success and to complete the current projects underway, but we are confident that we can demonstrate to you why we are worthy of your continued support!
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Because of long-overdue renovations expenses, we are now focused on fundraising for our Operational expenses.
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We've spent the last 2 years getting the Hekab Be Biblioteca legal standing re-established and filed with the proper Mexican authorities. The legal status had languished for 20 years and has inhibited our ability to secure fundraising from some Mexican-based companies. This project will be completed in 2023.
In conjunction with the above, we are now working to establish a new Mexican Board. Check back soon to learn more about our U.S. and Mexican Board members HERE.
Recently, we have made improvements to our facilities and are now offering the opportunity for visitors and residents to make use of our new play area which includes pickleball courts, basketball courts, and soccer field.
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We are so much more than a Biblioteca (library)! We decided to expand our name to reflect what we truly are now: A non-profit library and activity center. An updated logo redesign - seen here on our new website - accompanies this rebranding. This new website is another part of the re-branding. And also provides us with the ability to communicate more consistently with all of you who are fans of Hekab Be.
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Hekab Be Biblioteca receives absolutely no financial support from the local, regional, or federal governments of Mexico to support its operations. We provide all classes and amenities for free to all residents and visitors of Akumal and the surrounding area, and we are 100% supported through donations of supplies, money, and time from our generous supporters. You can donate funds via Donate or visit the library. Donations are tax-deductible for US residents and citizens.
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Hekab Be Biblioteca, Inc. is a U.S 501(C)3 non-profit corporation. Created to support development and fundraising for Hekab Be Biblioteca de Akumal, it is not involved in daily operations and children's programs. The board provides oversight and drives fundraising efforts. Our basic function is re-granting contributions to the Biblioteca. Our mission includes the capacity to serve as fiscal sponsors for the initiatives of the Akumal Cultural Foundation. To learn more, click here.
Our U.S. 501c3 Corporation
OUR LOCATION