Luis Soriano’s Biblioburro shows how one man and one donkey can carry hope, imagination, and books to children in remote villages across Colombia.
Sometimes all it takes to change a child’s world is a good story, plus a determined man and a donkey who doesn’t mind carrying a few dozen books. This is the heartwarming tale of Luis Soriano, a Colombian teacher who turned a simple idea into a traveling library that brought joy, knowledge, and possibility to children in remote villages. His project, Biblioburro, proves that even the humblest beginnings can spark extraordinary change.
A Dream Born on Dusty Roads
If you’ve ever wondered whether one person can genuinely change the world, let me introduce you to a man who did it with nothing more than a dream, a handful of books, and a very patient donkey. Luis Soriano, a schoolteacher from rural Colombia, didn’t have much in the way of money or fancy resources, but he had something that proved far more powerful: an unwavering belief in the magic of books.
Growing up in a country where many rural communities didn’t have access to libraries or even basic educational materials, Luis knew firsthand how transformative reading could be. He had seen what stories could spark in a child: imagination, confidence, curiosity. And he also knew how many children never got the chance to turn a single page.
So he did what any determined, slightly eccentric, wonderfully big-hearted person might do. He strapped a library onto a donkey and started walking.
Meet the Donkey: The Real MVP
Now, every hero needs a sidekick, right? Batman has Robin. Sherlock has Watson. And Luis Soriano has… a donkey.
Actually, he had two donkeys over the years, named Alfa and Beto, together sounding like “alphabet,” which is just the most charming detail ever. These four-legged librarians were the muscle behind the mission, carrying crates of books across rugged terrain, narrow paths, riverbanks, and sweltering heat.
It wasn’t glamorous. Donkeys don’t move fast, books are heavy, and Colombian backcountry trails are pretty far from smooth sailing. But every weekend, Luis and his donkey team ventured out, sometimes traveling up to ten hours round-trip, simply to deliver books to children who had none.
It’s basically the world’s most heartwarming bookmobile, only bumpier, dustier, and significantly more adorable… and fueled by carrots!
Biblioburro Is Born
What do you call a roaming library riding on the back of a donkey? Well, obviously, you call it Biblioburro: a mash-up of “biblioteca” (library) and “burro” (donkey). Cute, catchy, and just quirky enough to get people’s attention.
But for the children in remote villages across Magdalena, Colombia, Biblioburro was much more than a fun idea. It was a lifeline to worlds beyond their own. When the donkeys arrived, kids would rush out excitedly, sometimes lining up before Luis even stepped off his mount.
It’s easy to forget how much of a privilege it is to have access to books, whether you order them online or borrow them from a library five minutes away. For the children Luis visited, books weren’t just scarce; they were nonexistent. Some of the communities he traveled to were so isolated that government services never reached them. Many homes didn’t have electricity, let alone bookshelves.
Luis didn’t just bring stories; he brought possibility.
He read aloud to children whose parents had never learned to read. He taught kids that they could dream bigger than their circumstances, all by taking donkeys to their towns. Beyond literacy, though, he brought something less tangible but equally powerful: hope.
Just by turning up, he told the kids he visited: You matter. Your mind matters. And someone believes in your future.
The Teacher Behind the Mission
What makes Luis Soriano’s story especially moving is that he wasn’t funded by any big organization, not at the beginning. He didn’t launch a trendy nonprofit or have a social media following cheering him on. He was simply a teacher who saw a need and filled it.
Was it exhausting? Absolutely.
Did he ever think of stopping? Maybe for a moment. But whenever he reached a village and saw children sprinting toward him, excited and full of wonder, it all became worth it.
Challenges on the Trail
The romantic image of a man and his donkey carrying books across the countryside is lovely, but the reality wasn’t always so poetic. Luis traveled through regions affected by crime and conflict. He was once tied to a tree and robbed. Not to mention, he frequently faced the sheer physical strain of hauling heavy books in intense heat.
But rather than being discouraged, he saw these obstacles as reminders of why his mission mattered. Education, he believed, was a path out of poverty, violence, and hopelessness. In many ways, he wasn’t delivering books; he was delivering resilience.
The World Takes Notice
Eventually, word about this humble traveling librarian spread. Journalists wrote about him. Documentaries were made. Donations began to arrive. Biblioburro became internationally celebrated.
Luis used these resources not for fame, but to grow. He expanded his book collection. A small library was erected near his home. And he trained helpers so the mission could continue even when he needed to rest.
His story inspired similar programs around the world: camel-powered libraries in Kenya, boat libraries in Bangladesh, and even elephant libraries in Thailand. Apparently, the world was full of people and animals ready to carry stories anywhere they were needed.
A Protector Of The Written Word
Luis Soriano is far from alone in his belief in literacy and the power of education. His story is featured in Protectors of the Written Word alongside 24 others who have devoted their lives to sharing the joy of reading.
The book offers a collection of inspiring journeys from around the world, written as a love letter to everyone who believes in the power of books. You can order your copy here.
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Millie Ramm
Millie has been writing since she was a child, and has spent more time with her nose in books than anywhere else. She has been ghostwriting novels and editing for the past few years, and when not working she is curled up with her cats, looking for her next read.
