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New Year, New Library for QC

Manila Bulletin

January 21, 2012

By: Ms. Herbel B. Santiago

http://mb.com.ph/articles/348882/new-year-new-library-qc

 

MANILA, Philippines — The Year of the Water Dragon promises to be a year full of blessings. Acts of Hope for the Nation (AHON) Foundation started the year right by opening its 55th adopted public elementary school library at Kamuning Elementary School in Quezon City last Jan. 16.

As a foundation dedicated towards becoming the leading advocate of education, AHON is committed to uplifting the lives of the Filipino youth by providing relevant learning opportunities. Recognizing the pivotal role of the library in increasing school children’s literacy rate, we partner with and empower local communities in developing public school libraries.

Kamuning Elementary School, under the stewardship of its principal Thelma Co, worked diligently and resourcefully to transform their old and non-functional library into a colorful, beautiful and children-friendly haven of reading.

Aware of the scarcity of funds needed to develop the facility, Co harnessed the resourcefulness of the teachers and the creativity of the students in order to complete the task. Soon, the power of working together made development and improvement achievable and possible.

LEVELING THE PLAYING FIELD

Completing the transformation, AHON delivered the hardbound and interactive Time-Life reference books in English, Math and Sciences last August 11. The almost Thalf-a-million worth of books, with additional learning resource materials that offers a more in-depth and well-rounded experience of reading, were greeted enthusiastically by the community.

“In AHON, we are leveling the playing field. Ang mga librong ibinigay ay nababasa sa mga private schools. Ngayon, mababasa na rin ang mga ito sa mga public schools. We are aware that there are more children enrolled in public schools. Thus, the future of our country is determined by the public school system. AHON recognizes that if we help it become better, we can be assured of a brighter future. We are glad to be of help,” said AHON chairman Hector “Chito” Tagaysay during the inauguration of the library.

Dr. Ria Santos, division supervisor in English (Elementary), Dr. Milagros Quinonez, division supervisor in English (Secondary) and Mercuria Ganaden, district supervisor of the Department of Education joined Tagaysay and Lewis Edwards, member of AHON’s board of trustees.

As the new principal, Co noticed the sorry state of the library and hastened to do something about it. Teachers set aside a portion of their holiday vacation and put all their effort into making the library development project a reality. “With AHON Foundation, the school had gained proper motivation and drive to work more diligently than ever before. Thank you for being here, AHON Foundation,” said Mrs. Co, “On our part, we are now drafting a good library system to ensure that all the children from preschool to Grade 6 will be able to use the library. We assure you that the books will be used.”

AHON Foundation is the corporate social responsibility of Filway Marketing Inc., exclusively distributing Timelife books in the Philippines. To date, AHON Foundation has already adopted 55 public elementary schools all over the country, reaching even far-flung places, benefiting more than 130,000 children.

This 2012, we will continue to bring more hope to the Filipino children by bridging more books and children together.

To continue our good cause, we are encouraging everyone to donate in cash or in kind. You may contact us at 433-1440 and ahonfoundation@yahoo.com. For more information, you may visit www.ahonfoundation.org orwww.facebook/ahonfoundation. The author works as the program officer of AHON Foundation.

 

"Libraries build Dreamers. Dreamers build the Nation"

Add: 56D Esteban Abada, Brgy. Loyola Heights, QC

Tel. no. : 433-1440

E-mail: ahonfoundation@yahoo.com