Library empowers Girls & Women in coastal Ecuador

When Mercy’s husband showed up at the construction, he picked up a bag of cement and boasted for all to hear “I can’t see how you ladies hope to do this without the help of a man”. Mercy smiled, faced her friends who joined her in this endeavor, and replied: “We can easily do this and anything else without a man… what we can’t do is without girlfriends”. She and her best friend Miriam turned, and together carried another bag of cement further down the road.

The construction of the bus stop is the last project completed by “The women’s circle”, and this is their story.

Our library has an open door policy. Everyone is invited to come in and join us. 

The projects, plays and events presented by the children at the library sparked the interest in many of the women in the community. Many of these are young mothers, most of whom dropped out of school due to teenage pregnancy, began to participate in the library. Now after a few months, it is with great joy and pride, that these women organized themselves and formed a club called “The women’s circle”.  

The women’s circle became stronger and started to meet twice or even three times a week after library hours. We are excited to see that our library has provided this group with a safe gathering place where all convene to learn, build strong connections, friendships, and a sense of community. 

Just a few weeks after their first meetings, the Women’s Circle organized a couple of fundraisers; as they plan to visit other women’s circles in the highlands to exchange recipes, customs and traditions. They prepared typical dishes from Manabi and rode their bikes to deliver to neighbors. 

Their latest project has just been completed, with the guidance of one of our volunteers The women, carrying shovels, picks, cements and blocks rebuild the town’s main entrance bus stop! What will their next project be?

We at FAMM are witnessing how the library is a space where positive change in the lives of these brave women can happen. All this is possible with your help. Thank you.