The physical presence of a book holds great power. Books help give the young the feeling that their culture and language is worthwhile to keep. Publishing books in their own languages is recognized as the key to preserving their heritage. Literacy in the national language is the key to development. When authors leave the Center and return to their homes, their newly acquired skills open up possibilities for not only continued writing but also the creation of other centers in their communities.
Many authors use their skills to teach adults and children in their community how to read.
One author, Bartola Morales Garcia, came to the Center and after completing her work there, trained a corps group of five teachers. These teachers then trained 200 more teachers throughout the region. The Native Literacy Center in Oaxaca has been so successful that word has spread to other parts of the world. Chango is now using a computer in Ecuador to teach others to become authors as well. In 1991 and 1992, groups of Aymara and Quechua speakers from Peru, Bolivia, and Chile were trained at the Center and are planning to start native literacy centers in their own countries.