Life and
Work of Mercedes Rosario Pineda de Martinez
Mercedes Rosario Pineda de Martinez was born on
September 24, 1939 to Nestor and Ana Modesta Martinez. She was raised to always
be thankful for what she had as a privileged child in Colombia. In 2011, we
celebrated the 50th wedding anniversary of Arturo and Mercedes. It
was from her parent´s upbringing and her union with Arturo that FANA grew.
Mercedes always wanted to be a mother but the possibility eluded her. Both she
and her husband turned to adoption and were blessed with two girls, Maria Lucia
and Elena. Out of her joy of becoming a mother came her willingness to help
other children who needed a family and thus FANA was established in 1972.
Now, 40 years later, well over 10.000 children
have found homes and 4.000 thousand more children have found shelter while they
awaited reunification with their biological families.
Mercedes received countless awards for her service
to the children of Colombia, but her greatest recognition was received when the
moment a child was placed with a family.
