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Heather Kelley Carr alumni papers

 Collection
Identifier: MS-2015-026

Dates

  • Creation: 1985 - 1989

Scope and Contents

This collection details Boston College alumna Heather Kelley Carr's English teaching stint in Corozal Town, Belize from 1966 to 1968. The majority of the collection consists of written correspondence documenting Carr's efforts to obtain book donations from groups in the United States to start a library at the Escuela Secundaria México. The correspondence demonstrates the difficulty of shipping books internationally in a cost-effective way, and the decision-making surrounding what books would be most relevant to the Belizean students in terms of subject, age group, and language. Other subjects covered in the correspondence include the beginnings of cataloging efforts once the books were received; family matters; documentation regarding Carr's payment of some students' school fees; and students' daily lives and plans for the future. Notably, the correspondence series includes letters regarding student performances of the plays of Sir Colville Young, who later became the Governor-General of Belize.

The collection also includes photographs, which feature the Escuela Secundaria México, the students who attended the school, and Carr's fellow teachers.

Creator

Language of Materials

In English

Restrictions on access

Collection is open for research.

Restrictions on use

These materials are made available for use in research, teaching and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source. The original authors may retain copyright to the materials.

Biographical Note

Heather Kelley (later, Kelley Carr) attended Boston College (1982-1986) and graduated cum laude. From 1986 to 1988, she was a member of the Boston College International Volunteer Program. The program, now defunct, was run by Julio Giulietti, SJ and had placements in Belize, Egypt, Jamaica, and Peru. Kelley was one of a group of Boston College graduates who served as teachers in Corozal Town, Belize. While there teaching English to Forms 9-12 at Escuela Secundaria México (founded in 1982), she began an effort to start a school library. She pursued this effort because her students, mostly children of sugarcane farmers, were too poor to purchase books to supplement their education. Kelley sought assistance from Catholic organizations in the United States. In addition to offering to send books, a few individuals made requests for Belizean student pen pals. Some of Carr's students later continued their studies in the United States through scholarship programs.

Sources:

Commencement program, Box 19, Folder 7, Boston College Commencement photographs and programs, BC.1988.027, John J. Burns Library, Boston College.

Extent

.5 Linear Feet (1 container)

Abstract

Heather Kelley Carr taught English at the Escuela Secundaria México in Corozal, Belize between 1986 and 1988 as part of the Boston College International Volunteer Program. While there, Carr organized a campaign to request book donations for the purpose of creating a school library. This collection contains correspondence documenting this campaign, as well as correspondence between family and friends, correspondence from Belizean students, and photographs of Escuela México students, Carr's fellow teachers, and the school itself.

Arrangement

Arranged into two series. I: Correspondence, and II: Photographs.

Provenance

Acquired from Heather Kelley Carr on November 20, 2015.

Source

Title
Heather Kelley Carr alumni papers
Status
Completed
Subtitle
1986-1989
Author
Ayoola White
Date
2016
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the John J. Burns Library Repository

Contact:
John J. Burns Library
Boston College
140 Commonwealth Avenue
Chestnut Hill MA 02467 USA
617-552-4861