Turning Pages, Strengthening Families in Rural Oaxaca

Two years ago, in several rural communities in Oaxaca, children’s books were scarce and often kept locked away to avoid damage. For many families, owning a book was simply beyond reach. As a result, opportunities for young children to develop language skills, imagination, and a love of learning were limited during the most important years of their development.

Thanks to your support, that reality has changed.

Through the Promoting Healthy Parenting and Childhood Nutrition Through Early Literacy project, Crecemos D.I.J.O., A.C., with the support of AVSI-USA, helped transform reading from an occasional school activity into a daily experience shared by children, parents, and teachers.

The project worked simultaneously with teachers, families, and children. Teachers received training in reading mediation and early childhood development, while parents participated in workshops that showed how reading can strengthen emotional bonds and support healthy child development. Four children’s libraries were established, and through the Morralitos Literarios (Literary Backpack) program, books began traveling between classrooms and homes, making stories accessible to families for the first time.

Over the two-year project period, four children’s libraries were established, reaching 290 preschool children, 223 parents and caregivers, and 28 teachers across vulnerable rural communities.

The most significant transformation took place inside families’ homes. By the end of the program, all families reported reading together more frequently, having richer conversations, and dedicating meaningful time to their children through books.

Teachers also observed important changes in children. Students became more confident participating in classroom discussions, expanded their vocabulary, improved listening and comprehension skills, and demonstrated greater creativity and self-expression. Books became a source of curiosity, learning, and enjoyment rather than simply an academic requirement.

Doña María’s story

In Magdalena Zahuatlán, Doña María remembers the day her youngest son brought home a picture book through the Literary Backpack program. At first, he carefully opened the book and began exploring the illustrations. Soon he was pointing excitedly at the pictures, asking questions, and requesting that the story be read again and again. What began as a simple reading activity quickly became a cherished family routine. Each evening, the family gathered together to share stories, talk, and listen to one another. Reflecting on the experience, Doña María shared:

“We realized that a book’s true value isn’t in keeping it spotless on a shelf, but in the laughter and conversations it creates when opened together.”

Her experience reflects the essence of this project. The true impact is not measured only in books distributed or libraries established, but in the relationships strengthened and opportunities created. Children now have greater access to learning, parents have new tools to nurture their children’s development, and communities have embraced reading as a shared value.

Although the project has ended, its impact will continue. Libraries remain active, teachers continue using reading strategies in their classrooms, parents’ associations have assumed responsibility for the collections, and families are maintaining the reading habits they developed throughout the project. By fostering a lasting culture of reading, the project is creating stronger opportunities for learning, family connection, and child development for generations to come.