Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - Representatives from Los Mangos Public Library will travel to Cartagena, Colombia to present APAPACHO, their innovative early education program, at the Participation and Democratization of Knowledge conference (ARNA 2017) to take place June 12–16. The presentation is part of the research project undertaken by Dr. Candace Kaye, a Biblioteca Los Mangos volunteer and creator of APAPACHO.

"APAPACHO, which means 'to cuddle' in Spanish, is a free early education program for children 24–36 months of age and their parents," explained Angélica Galván, who oversees the program. "Each 'chapter' consists of six sessions, two hours each, on Saturdays at 9:00 am, and is backed by the latest findings in early learning research."

The program was created thanks to the initiative of Dr. Candace Kay, faculty member at the New Mexico University in the US, and a Los Mangos volunteer. Her research on early education is highly regarded by her peers, worldwide. Launching APAPACHO was possible thanks to a sizable contribution by Georgia Darehshori, who owns Casa Karma, a boutique hotel in the Conchas Chinas neighborhood of Puerto Vallarta.

"For us to participate in such an important international conference will give us direct contact with a very important community of education researchers and experts worldwide. This, in turn, will allow us to return with fresh ideas and resources to continue improving our academic and cultural offerings at Biblioteca Los Mangos," added Los Mangos Executive Director, Adriana García. "We are honored to represent Vallarta in this important journey."

The team traveling to Cartagena includes APAPACHO Creator, Dr. Candace Kaye; Program Coordinator, Angélica Galván; Executive Director, Adriana García; and Communications Director Paco Ojeda, who is also responsible for documenting every APAPACHO session with video and photography.