“Books always felt like an escape into different worlds where my imagination could run wild,” Sydney Mafong (‘26) said. As a young girl, the Carmel Valley Library was Sydney’s second home, and her love for reading inspired her to organize a book drive when she was in 6th grade. However, while donating the books to schools across San Diego, Sydney quickly learned that there are so many barriers to literacy—a basic skill that we all take for granted.
Sydney founded the organization Libros Sin Fronteras (Books Without Borders) in 2022, with the goal of promoting literacy in underserved communities. The organization’s name, Sydney explained, came from her belief that “there are no boundaries to how much you can read, no limits to the knowledge you can gain, and no borders to the personal growth reading can inspire.”
Since 2022, Libros Sin Fronteras has already distributed over 8,000 books, and has had groups in Michigan, Canada, and Algeria reach out to start similar projects. Beyond distributing books, the organization has launched summer reading programs and family literacy clinics, and is currently developing writing workshops to further their mission.
Sydney started her journey to promote literacy by organizing book drives at schools and libraries in San Diego, and hosting book fairs at various schools in under-resourced areas. After collecting over 7,000 books, she partnered with Mike and Terry Meaney of the San Diego Book Project, a non-profit founded in 2003, to expand book distribution. Sydney worked closely with the non-profit for a year, and recently became the director of the San Diego Book Project. “I will now be able to do everything on an even larger scale,” she explained. Libros Sin Fronteras is the community advocacy branch of the San Diego Book Project.
Sydney’s passion for literacy started in 6th grade, when she organized a book drive at her school. When she donated the books to a school in Southeast San Diego, she met a second grader that couldn’t read. “I was shocked — reading had always been a daily part of my life, and it was hard to imagine someone barely younger than me never having that experience,” Sydney said. The obstacles to book access suddenly rose to the surface, and Sydney explained, “I knew I had to do my part to help.”
While it may seem simple to visit the library or pick up a book at home, many children face challenges such as language barriers, difficulties obtaining a library card, limited access to transportation, and a lack of parental support or ability to assist. More than half of the adults in our country — approximately 54% of Americans — read below a 6th grade level. Sydney explained that for many kids at the book fairs, “the books from Libros Sin Fronteras were the first books they owned.”
Sydney added, “Sometimes we see a problem and it just seems too big and too difficult and we become paralyzed and instead of doing more, end up doing less.” However, she realized that with donating books and starting reading programs, she can make a difference and change lives one person at a time.
One of Sydney’s favorite activities the non-profit did this year was organizing a book fair for the entire school at Emerson Elementary in South San Diego. “We donated 1500 books to approximately 450 students so they could set up their own home libraries,” she explained. The other activity Sydney is proud of is setting up the Summer Reading Program for Casa de Amistad. Sydney described, “students receive incentives and free books to keep improving their reading during the summer. The kids love it and we have seen real progress with their reading over time.”
Sydney was honored as one of San Diego’s most inspiring volunteer heroes and philanthropy leaders at the North County Philanthropy Council’s 37th Annual Volunteer Awards Celebration, and Casa de Amistad wrote in an Instagram post, “Sydney was a leader in creating our reading incentive program and has donated hundreds of books to Casa students and other students around San Diego. Her passion for early literacy is inspiring.”
Alongside Libros Sin Fronteras, Sydney shares her passion for service through being a part of Community Service Initiative (CSI) at Bishop’s. She is also President of the Junior Optimist International (JOI) Club at Bishop’s, an international service organization, and she serves on the JOI International Board, overseeing all the Junior Optimist Clubs around the world. “Being on the Board has given me the opportunity to expand the idea behind the San Diego Book Project and Libros Sin Fronteras,” Sydney said.
Sydney is working towards expanding the San Diego Book Project and Libros Sin Fronteras. “There are always more people to reach, more books to read, and more kids and families to support,” she explained. Through fundraising and getting a consistent source of books, Sydney hopes that her organization will be able to hold more book fairs and start more reading programs.
Sydney concluded, “By promoting literacy and a love for reading, I hope to empower people to be effective communicators, make informed decisions, and further their educational and economic opportunities. I feel by doing so, all of our communities will benefit.”
Please email or visit their website to find out more on how to receive or donate books!
Website: sandiegobookproject.org
Instagram: @libros.sin.fronteras.sd
Facebook: @sandiegobookproject
