Thursday, September 22, 2005

Help Build a Community Library

Dear Friends,

Last September 20, the Metro section of the Philippine Daily Inquirer featured a story on a notable project. I have included along with this email a copy of the article and links to the article's online version at www.inq7.net (http://news.inq7.net/metro/index.php?index=1&story_id=50715 ).
 
The project is called "Aklatang Pambata" - The Narcissa Abiad Community Library at Paltok, San Francisco Del Monte, Quezon City. The article tells much about what you need to know about the project... but there's more that needs to be done - particularly with the fund support to at least finish the renovations.
 
Fund raising is an awkward task, but it has to be done. I am personally asking for your assistance in this endeavor. The project accepts personal or corporate contributions through the following coordinators that are listed below. Please feel free to contact them on how you can send your contributions. You may also access the project blog at http://aklatangpambata.blogspot.com for more information.
 
The vision of the project is to pave the way in the establishment, development and improvement of community-based libraries in the country. The mission is to make children appreciate the value of reading; to make teachers, parents and community members partners in promoting reading in children; to be a model community library that can be replicated in other areas; and to make a community of readers.
 
Your contribution will help make this a reality. Help build communities. Help build a library.
 
Thank you.
 
 
Eleonor Baldo-Soriano
Project Assistant
Hiraya Center for Community Libraries
Aklatang Pambata - Narcissa Abiad Community Library Project
+639275363698
+63-02-928-7898


Aklatang Pambata - Narcissa Abiad Community Library Project Coordinators:
 

Alistair Troy B. Lacsamana

Aklatang Pambata Project Coordinator

College Librarian II, UP College of Engineering

O: 9818500 local 3109

M: 09178290925

E: troybdude@yahoo.com

 

Ma. Lourdes Vargas
Asst. Professor
UP Integrated School, College of Education and UP Open University
University of the Philippines-Diliman
Mobile #: 0920-897-1333
Email: dedettejvargas@yahoo.com
 

 
This story was taken from www.inq7.net
 

http://news.inq7.net/metro/index.php?index=1&story_id=50715

Old house with a new role
First posted 00:24am (Mla time) Sept 20, 2005
By Julie M. Aurelio
Inquirer News Service

IT WAS AN OLD HOUSE, A Bahay-na-bato on a corner lot, 29 Mendoza Street, Brgy. Paltok, San Francisco del Monte, Quezon City. Engineer Edward Abiad and his family were moving away, but his mother, Narcissa, did not want to sell the house. She wanted to convert it into a community library where the children of Paltok could learn to read and read well.

Now, through the efforts of Laging Pahinungod, a volunteer organization of the University of the Philippines Diliman, Narcissa's long-cherished wish is coming true.

The Aklatang Pambata will soon be Paltok's own community library. The University of the Philippines Interior Design Class 179 is designing and renovating the ground floor of the Abiad house.

Built in the 1930s, caretaker Eduardo Estrella said the Abiad house was originally a vacation place for the family. Bahay-na-bato structures Estrella said, were common until after World War II.

The ground floor was designed as a "silong" or shed, while the second floor served as living quarters. Films like "Tanging Ina" and "So Happy Together" were shot on the second floor.

Edward entrusted the house to Estrella as they were members of the same UP Diliman fraternity, Beta Epsilon.

Community project

"The idea is to set up a library and to make it a community-based endeavor," said Alistair Troy Lacsamana, Laging Pahinungod member and the project's overall coordinator.

The community was involved in planning, getting the books, sourcing funds, as well as recruiting volunteers. Secondhand textbooks, he said, were solicited from the Cartwheel Foundation.

Pahinungod wanted Aklatang Pambata to be a model community library that could be replicated in other parts of the country.

Prof. Lourdes Vargas of the UP Integrated School and one of the project's major players said people who heard of the project, also wanted to start libraries in their areas.

In July 2004, Aklatang Pambata got 25 boxes of used textbooks from the Cartwheel Foundation. Lacsamana said they hoped to get more children's story books for story-telling sessions.

The Aklatang Pambata, he added, would also be a reading tutorial and resource center.

Two elementary schools will be the main beneficiaries of the library: the Bayanihan Elementary School and the Paltok Elementary School.

Even before the ground floor's renovation, story-telling sessions were organized.

One session had children of elementary age as story-tellers.

Important

Sharon Betan, mother of one of the child storytellers, said having a community library was a worthwhile endeavor. "Reading is very important, and to have a community library would really help enhance the reading skills of children."

Her daughter, Sierra, was a finalist in a story-telling competition sponsored by the National Book Development Board (NBDB). The other story-tellers were Nelson Capila Jr. and Czarelle Guerra, winners in the NBDB contest.

The three are Grade 5 students at the UP Integrated School. Capile and Guerra told stories in Filipino: "Ang Mahiyaing Manok" and "Ang Batang Ayaw Maligo," respectively. Betan's story was "Bruhihi, Bruhaha (Mrs. Magalit)" in English.

"It seems that the children find stories in Filipino more amusing," noted Vargas.

Asked if his school had story-telling activities, a boy named Lorenzo said: "Hindi po. Binebentahan lang kami ng libro pero walang nagkukuwento." (No. They just sell books but no one ever tells stories.)

Lacsamana related they did not have enough money to sustain the renovation.

The Interior Design 179 class estimated the renovation costs at P1.2 million. The class had collected only P280,000, so they are looking for sponsors.

The volunteers are also coordinating with the Sangguniang Barangay and kagawad for support to the project.

Vargas said they were not worried about lack of volunteers. "People always come to help. And I am encouraged by those who eventually stay on to help with the project."

The Laging Pahinungod now has 40 volunteers.

Despite the obstacles, the group remains optimistic.

"I always get a different sense of satisfaction and fulfillment when I see that the children are happy," said Lacsamana.


©2005 www.inq7.net all rights reserved

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