National Reading month theme: “Nasa Pagbasa ang Pag-asa” (In Literacy Lies Hope)
This November, Woods and Books joins the rest of the Philippines in celebrating National Reading Month. This month’s theme is: “Nasa Pagbasa ang Pag-asa” (In Literacy Lies Hope).
We at Woods and Books consider ourselves new recruits to the nationwide literacy movement. Nevertheless, we celebrate every small inroad we make under our own steam on our own Little-Engine-that-Could. Like the Little Engine, we’re tiny, but quite determined.
Why English picture books work. When a child opens a book, no matter what language it’s written in, she opens a window to a different world.
Last month, one of our book boxes filled with books collected by Ms. Dianna Smith of Orangevale, California and toys from the Rojo family of SoCal, finally made their way to Kalibo, Aklan, and into the hands of kindergartners of the newly-opened parochial school of St. John the Baptist Cathedral.
“Thank you very much for the gifts. Malipayon gid ang mga bata sa mga books kag toys (The children were very happy with the books and toys),” says parish priest, Fr. Jose Estolloso. “The children are from poor families in the parish. We’re really grateful!”
The one room-kindergarten school was built through the efforts of The Lamb Shall Lead International, a charitable organization first incorporated in the Philippines under the leadership of Rev. Jose Talaoc, bishop of Romblon, Philippines. Two years later, it was incorporated in Louisiana, USA, and granted a license to operate as a charity.
Look who’s our guest teacher today! Fr. Jose Estolloso reads to his wee parishioners.
“Please look at the faces of our children.” Fr. Estolloso directed us to look at the faces of these children, as evidence of how much the books drew their interest. We also saw the faces of the adults in the room. They, too, were just as engaged with this batch of Woods and Books donation.
Meanwhile, back in Iloilo City, tireless volunteer Ai, along with equally supportive hubby, Casi, distributed donated books to other wee ones at the newly-opened Barangay Monica library in Lapuz, and at the Barangay San Isidro Day Care Center in Jaro.
It’s been 20 years since R
Pet Project. (l) Barangay Kagawad (Village Councilman) Wewin Espinosa, lead proponent of his community’s library in Barangay Monica, gamely holds up our streamer with Woods and Books Secretary Casi Abello. Behind and before them are eager young readers, other barangay council members, and W&B’s busiest volunteer, Ai.
It’s been 20 years since Republic Act 7743 was enacted, providing for the establishment of city and municipal libraries, as well as reading centers throughout the Philippines. Clearly, in Barangay San Monica, hardworking local leaders took the law and their community’s needs very seriously.
The beginning of a literary circle. Teacher Jorvy Jaruda-Espinosa does a read-aloud at the new barangay library. Jorvy manages and teaches at Maya Playgarden and Daycare Center, a Waldorf-inspired preschool in La Paz, Iloilo.
Getting down to the basics. Bgy. San Monica’s young readers will have to wait a while for generous souls to provide them with bookshelves, tables, and chairs. For now, the floor works just as well.
Another Iloilo City community that caught our eye was Barangay San Isidro. Bgy. Captain Felix Doreza and Bgy. Kagawad Rene Dimasu-ay helped facilitate our distribution of 100 books to the day care center.
“The barangay was very thankful for our donation,” reports volunteer Ai. “The site was just their temporary classroom. Their old day care center burned down in January and nothing was left. All their books and other materials given by Rotary and other donors are gone. So, it was just great timing that Woods and Books donated books!”
Raise the roof! Well, in this case–raise the books! Preschoolers of Barangay San Isidro, their donated books, and Ms. Athena Mar Labios, Head Day Care Worker at the center.
Great timing. For children, any day, any time, with a book is perfect timing. We at Woods and Books could only hope to continue bringing them books in the years ahead. For, as current Philippine Secretary of Education Armin Luisitro says, “Books take you anywhere in the world…They can give us anything we can imagine.” Amen to that!
Let’s see what you got. Preschoolers check out each other’s books and get help from a volunteer parent.
