Román Díaz

Project: A School Computer Lab for Learning Technology Skills 

Quote: “Being a leader is being kind, it’s also being responsible and having this spirit to help and resolve problems in response to necessities within the community”

Favorite Book: The Bible

Favorite Activity: Exploring and learning new things

About: With a Bachelor’s Degree in Community Development, Román worked as a social impact project technician in the United States for many years before returning home to become a librarian at the My New World Huitán Community Library in 2007. As a librarian, Román supports students by reinforcing their academic and literacy needs. He also promotes projects such as a Digital Readers Club and takes a mobile library to remote communities lacking books. In coordination with the libraries, municipalities, and his community, Román has supported students and adults with many projects.

For Román, it is important to maintain a supportive spirit to address the necessities of the community. Aside from his work as a librarian and managing projects, Román enjoys fixing computers. Over the years he has taught himself to repair and maintain computers so he can reduce the library’s operating costs to make it more sustainable. Román hopes to address all of the issues within his community and believes nothing is impossible.  

“Teachers need support. There are more gaps and weaknesses in education now more than ever and children are not doing well. We need to work together to change it!”

Problem: Students and teachers do not have access to computers/laptops resulting in a lack of technological literacy at school and in the community. Due to old teaching methodologies, students are unmotivated to continue their education, and as a result, many students finish elementary school without technical skills that would help them in the future.

Solution: Román implemented a computer lab that allows teachers to adapt innovative methodologies using technology in their classrooms. Román believes that students can develop technical skills if they have the resources and the right people to guide them through their learning, and that if students’ interests are captured they will continue studying.