Impacto Social | Fundación Rionegro

Keen

Effort

Family

Stories that Generate Change

Lina Paola

She was born into a large farming family. Her house is in a remote, hard-to-reach area between the municipalities of El Peñol and Marinilla; it can only be reached on foot. Her mother is a homemaker, her father farms the land, and their limited financial resources made it difficult to pursue her university dream, which was inspired by two teachers who showed her that studying could broaden her horizons.

Ex beneficiaria

When Lina Paola embarked on her dream of studying, she faced numerous challenges: distance, lack of financial resources, difficulty finding accommodation, adjusting to her degree program, a change in her educational institution, and the need to stay focused on her studies while working. Many factors, at different times, brought her to the brink of giving up. However, giving up was not an option. During the pandemic, she returned to her hometown and continued her studies online. When in-person classes resumed, a classmate told her about the Loyola Residence. There, she found more than just lodging: she found a support network, a dignified and welcoming space that, in her own words, allowed her to fully focus on her education: “Fortunately, when I met them; and moveded into The Residence, I was able to totally dedicate myself to my studies.”
In 2025, Lina Paola graduated as an Urban Planning Engineer. Her story is living proof that when real opportunities arise, rural talent flourishes and transforms lives.

Veronica

She was born in Argelia, in eastern Antioquia, a very rural area with long demanding walking paths and few roads. From a young age, she cultivated a reflective and critical spirit, marked by observation and a desire to transform her surroundings. Orphaned at the age of five, she was taken in by an aunt who was a teacher and supported her studies and curiosity. Her rural roots ran deep: her father, was a legendary rancher who owned a Sugar Mill in the village of La Arboleda. There, the tradition of sugarcane production spaned more than 60 years and instilled in her a love for the land and farm work.

Now, at the university she is studying a Program of Educate people in rural areas to reduce violence in the community

She dreamed of becoming a lawyer at the University of Antioquia, but the difficulties in accessing higher education led her to pursue a degree in agro-environmental technology at the Technological Institute of Antioquia. Later, she married and went into business, until the pandemic forced her to close her shop and return to Argelia, to the rural community of La Arboleda, where she inherited part of the family farm. There, she revived her mother's legacy, who had envisioned a community-based farm: they organized health brigades, canine and feline sterilization brigades, brigades sponsored by the municipal ombudsman's office, community assemblies, university field trips, agricultural training, and farmers' markets.

When she learned about the undergraduate program in Pedagogy in Rurality and Peace at the University of Antioquia (UdeA), she saw herself reflected in that path. Although the flights were expensive and she had nowhere to stay, she persisted in her dream. It was then that she discovered the Rionegro University Foundation, and it was thanks to this institution that she was able to transform her university experience. She summarizes it this way: “I feel empowered because at the Loyola Residence they provide us with comprehensive support; the only thing missing is more time to spend with the Foundation.” Currently, she is finishing her fifth semester with academic excellence and leads community initiatives: she is a guardian of water and rural life, secretary of the Argelia cocoa growers' association (ASOCAAR), and a proud community researcher. Her story is a testament to how education and rural roots come together to sow dignity and hope.

Actual beneficiaria

Heimy

Actual beneficiaria

Like Heimy's mother, many families see the Residence as a true home. There, their daughters not only have a roof over their heads, but the companionship, care, and support that gives them peace of mind. For them, the residence means a place that they can trust. Additionally, thanks to the low cost of the residence, there is financial support that allows the family to continue supporting them in other areas, and most importantly, they see their daughters proudly progressing in their academic and personal development.

This is what Heimy's mother shares with us:

“We live very far from the university, and although she has her own transportation, it is a real relief for our family that she can reside at Casa Loyola. There, she maintains a positive relationship with the coordinators and her fellow residents, and she feels calm and happy because she always receives support and care. The residence takes care of her meals, provides her with internet access for her studies, and, as a mother, it gives me confidence and peace of mind knowing that she is safe and supported. I don't have to worry about her accommodation, and that allows me to be at peace.”

“Thanks to you, my daughter lives well, in a family environment and with the necessary supports to move forward.”

Historical social impact

We're not just here to talk about a dream, but to share the results of a collective effort that has been bearing fruit in our community. We have managed to transform lives in a significant way, and this impact is a reflection of unity, commitment, and constant work!

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