In the heart of the city of Popayán, the María Cano University Foundation has taken another step in its social commitment by creating a project aimed at bringing hope and opportunities through the power of reading. With the firm purpose of transforming the lives of families most affected by inequality, the institution has led an initiative called the creation of small family libraries for FAMI (Families, Women, and Early Childhood) homes, focusing on the training of mothers and the early stimulation of the youngest.

This social project, which arose from María Cano’s deep vocation for service, has managed to gather a total of 171 books thanks to the selfless donations from the academic community, students, teachers, and allies of María Cano. These books are not just objects; they are tools that will open the doors to knowledge, personal development, and cognitive growth for mothers and children in their early years. The direct beneficiaries of this noble initiative are five FAMI homes, spaces where mothers prepare to provide their children with the best possible start in life, grounded in love, care, and now, reading.

These homes, located in areas with limited resources, face constant challenges: limited access to services, job instability, social issues, and an environment marked by insecurity and common crime, which hinder the comprehensive development of children. In this context, reading stands as a beacon of hope.

The institution recognizes the power of reading as a fundamental tool for cognitive, emotional, and social development. For children aged 0 to 2 years, early contact with books is an invaluable resource that promotes auditory stimulation and strengthens the bond with their mothers. Every word spoken, every story shared, helps the child develop their ability to listen, understand, and relate to the world around them. Through this project, the aim is not just to distribute books; it seeks to instill a love for reading from the earliest years of life. It is an effort aimed at creating a deep and lasting impact. By reading to their children, mothers not only provide access to language but also teach them about values, emotions, and realities that will help them develop more fully and consciously.

This project reflects the importance of solidarity and collaboration between academia and the community. The donations that made this family library possible not only speak to the generosity of those who participated but also to the commitment of the María Cano University Foundation to the integral development of society. The institution has demonstrated that education transcends the classroom, reaching the most needy and vulnerable corners. The small libraries now present in these FAMI homes are symbols of hope and resilience. Although the number of books may seem modest, their impact will be incalculable. These initial 171 volumes will be read and re-read, told over and over again, serving as an inexhaustible source of learning and discovery for both mothers and children.

The María Cano University Foundation has paved a way where education, reading, and social commitment intersect. This project is just the beginning of a series of actions aimed at empowering families in vulnerable situations, reminding them that knowledge is a powerful tool for transforming reality. Thanks to initiatives like this, families in these neighborhoods can dream of a brighter future, full of opportunities, where books serve as gateways to new and better realities.