NEWSFLASH:
READ Philippines has a new name:
READ (Reach, Educate, Assist, Develop) Philippines, Inc.
We are in the process of transferring the website to a new URL for READ Philippines at www.readpilipinas.org.

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Schools in Mindanao
December 23, 2009 - Kidapawan City, North Cotabato - READ Philippines' institutional partner in Mindanao - MINLAND FOUNDATION - sends reports on books donated to schools and day care centers in Cotabato. EJ Matela, Program Director at Minland, writes:

"Merry Christmas to you and to the READ Philippines Family! Attached are documents to show how you brought Christmas to where good cheer is needed most. Our endless Thank You's for your untiring support."

Books for Buliok Elementary, Pikit, North Cotabato

Classroom for Grades 5 & 6 at Datakaya Elementary, Maguindanao

Batiocan Day Care Center, North Cotabato

Read July-October 2009 Turnover Report

Read November-December 2009 Turnover Report

List of Schools Supported by READ Philippines in 2009

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Schools in General Santos City, Polomolok, and Sarangani Province
December 23, 2009 - Polomolok, South Cotabato - Mahintana Foundation in South Cotabato, READ Philippines' partner, sends turnover report on books for Lozano Elementary in GenSan, Municipal Council for the Protection of children in Polomolok, and Colon National High School in Sarangani Province. Click here to view the report.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Books for Municipal Council for the Protection of Children.

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Bulihan Sites Elementary, Silang, Cavite
December 23, 2009, Villamor Air Base, Pasay City - Bulihan Sites is a school for children relocated by the Philippine government from slum areas in Metro Manila to Cavite. The School has been adopted by the Philippine Air Force, 250th Presidential Airlift Wing. Click here to read the report on the turnover of books from READ Philippines.

Students at Bulihan Sites whose families used to live in slum areas.

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Matagbak Elementary, Alfonso, Cavite
December 23, 2009, Alfonso, Cavite - Two balikbayan boxes of books were delivered to Matagbak Elementary School on November 18, 2009 with the help of the Philippine Air Force 15th Strike Wing. Click here to read the report.

Principal Ronaldo Manalo opening boxes of books from READ assisted by PAF personnel.

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Proverbsville School, Angeles City
November 18 , 2009, Angeles City, Pampanga - With the assistance of volunteers Tito and Edwina Arceo, MOP was able to help Proverbsville School in Pampanga with books. Below are photos and a message from the head teacher.

Teachers at Proverbsville School opening the box of books

On Friday, November 13, we had our 2nd Qtr. Parents-Teachers' Fellowship and I announced that we have received books from READ Philippines. I shared with them the little I know about your advocacy and how you went out of your way to assist us with our needs for books in our libraries. They broke into a loud applause! Modesty aside, we have very supportive and appreciative parents. 

But I'd like you to know that YOU ARE AN ANSWER to our prayers. Every year, we set aside money to buy books for our library but they don't seem to be enough. Well, obviously because the books have become really, really expensive and bulk of our school budget goes to the payment of a school lot. This year was different. We said , "Why don't we take a step of faith? Let's vacate this entire room solely for the library. (Because we used to split the library with the computers.) Then, let's hire a professional librarian and believe God to fill the library with books! We all laughed but we really meant what we said. That is why when Katrina emailed us with the good news of meeting you and sending us books from Florida, we were very happy! 

So, on behalf of the Proverbsville School avid readers, we would like to thank MOP for the generous gift - A LIBRARY FULL OF BOOKS!   

THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND MAY THE LORD BLESS YOU INDEED!

Yours truly,

Ms. Edwina M. Arceo
Head Teacher

Books for Proverbsville School library

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Reading Contest Winners
November 11 , 2009 - A reading festival, supported by MOP in cooperation with the Philippine Department of Education, Shoemart, Bituen Communications and other sponsors, was held in Laoag City Centennial Arena recently. The winner is Marivir Agustin from Gabu Elementary School. Sarrat North Central School was declared the school champion. Other winners are Yviahnagaile Raza Nebab, Juliana Marie Ulep, Jester Galano, Novelyn Corpuz, Johna Eliza Tabira, and Princess Kate Silvano.

Winner: Marivir Agustin, Gabu Elementary School, with Reading Coach Amelita Ricardos.

School Champion: Sarrat North Central School

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Books for PAF Day Care Center
October 19, 2009, Villamor Air Base, Metro Manila - MOP sent one balikbayan box of pre-school and beginner reading books for the day care center inside Villamor Air Base. The day care center is a program of the Commanding General and his wife to help Philippine Air Force personnel who cannot afford to enroll their children in expensive pre-schools in Metro Manila.

PAF Lt General Oscar Rabena and Mrs. Jocelyn Rabena with Mrs. Vilma Rayos,
Head of Administration of PAF Day Care Center.  In the photo below are
Mrs. Joel Anne Roque, Admin Assistant; teachers and members of the Officers Ladies Club.


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Books for Mayuro Elementary in Batangas
October 18, 2009, Rosario, Batangas - Principal Avelina Atentar of Mayuro Elementary School sent a message of gratitude for the books received from MOP. Mayuro is a public school in Rosario, Batangas.

Mrs. Atentar writes: "Thank you very much for the books from READ . These resources will help our pupils in their studies. As a principal, it is my hope that our pupils who read the books you have sent us will one day be successful also. Thank you and God bless you always." Click here for more photos.

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MOP Helped Create a Computer Lab at the University of Southern Mindanao (USM)
October 7, 2009, Kidapawan City - Click here to read a photo-documentation of additional computers donated to USM College of Engineering and Computer (CENCOM). MinLand Foundation reports:

"It took the university a long time to refurbish the units and procure suitable power adaptors because of budget constraints. It is heartwarming to know that USM students and professors are now benefitting from these resources that helped create a computer lab at USM. The lab improves student competencies and skills that will help prepare them for the future. At USM and in other public colleges in poor areas, the one-to-one computer-to-student ratio is still far from becoming a reality."

USM students using computer lab in the
College of Engineering and Computing.

MOP donated computers to USM to create a computer lab
for students in this public university.

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Three Schools in Davao del Sur
October 2, 2009, Digos City - With the assistance of Mr. Nonito Llanos, books from MOP were delivered to three elementary schools in Digos City located in the foothills of Mt. Apo. They schools are as follows:

(1) Aplaya Elementary
909 enrolled students, 26 teachers, 26 classrooms

(2) Arcaflor Maniapao Elementary
224 enrolled students, 6 teachers, 4 classrooms

(3) Nenencio Isidro Elementary
351 enrolled students, 6 teachers, 8 classrooms

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Quarterly Report on LEAP Scholarship Program
September 25, 2009, Kidapawan City - MOP partner in Mindanao, MinLand Foundation, sends a comprehensive progress report on the LEAP Scholarship Program. Click here to read the report. EJ Matela writes:

We are happy that our joint efforts have kept these children in school.  Some of them are faring well while others need more encouragement.  But more than anything else, the hope of a family for a better life has been rekindled.  Inspired by your generosity and thoughtfulness, the scholars and their families have been working harder to improve their lives, albeit slowly.

Once again, thank you so much for the support.

EJ Matela
Director, Post Conflict & Rural Services
MinLand Foundation

If you'd like to sponsor a student, please click here. Like other sponsors, you will be kept informed of how your donation is being used and the progress of the student you are sponsoring.

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Books for Kusan Elementary and Silway-8 Reading Center, South Cotabato
September 9 , 2009, Polomolok, South Cotabato - Through Mahintana Foundation in Polomolok, READ Philippines donated books to (1) Kusan Elementary School in Barangay Kusan, Banga and (2) Silway-8 Reading Center in Barangay Silway, Polomolok. Click here to read the turnover report from Mahintana Foundation.

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MOP Supports a Reading Festival in the Philippines called "A Generation to Read"
August 22, 2009, Manila - In cooperation with the Philippine Department of Education, Shoemart, Bituen Communications, and other sponsors, READ Philippines (MOP) is proud to support "A Generation to Read" program in Luzon to promote the importance of reading and literacy. Public education in the Philippines continues to suffer due to lack of govenrmet funding, shortage of teachers (49,699 more teachers were needed in School Year 2005-06), poor school infrastructure, overcrowding in classrooms, and lack of books and reading materials among other things. MOP has donated book prizes for winners of the Reading Festival to be held in Laoag City in October 23-25, 2009.

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Learners Education Assistance Program (LEAP)
June 23, 2009, Jacksonville, FL - READ Philippines has adopted the Learners Education Assistance Program (LEAP) for poor students in Kidapawan City, Philippines. LEAP will provide high school and elementary students with basic necessities such as uniforms, school supplies and daily allowance for transportation and food.

The cost per student (elementary or high school) for school year 2009-2010 is as follows:

$35 (PhP1,500) for uniforms and school supplies (start of the school year)

$15 (PhP600) or PhP30 per day for transportation and food subsidy

$185 (PhP7,500) total annual support per student (includes uniform, school supplies and transportation/food).

Project Location
Elementary
Cabilao Elementary School, Brgy. Cabilao, Makilala, North Cotabato, Philippines

High School
Datu Ambel Memorial High School, Brgy. Kilada, Matalam, North Cotabato, Philippines

READ Philippines (MOP) is recognized by the IRS as a charitable organization under Section 501c3 of the IRS Code. Therefore, donation to MOP for LEAP is tax-deductible. Donors will also receive reports on the student's progress including a report card and financial accounting of expenses. At the end of the school year, donors will be provided a final report on the student's academic achievement and the impact of the donor's assistance.

Support of LEAP is renewable on a yearly basis. If you are interested in supporting a Filipino student, you can make a secure online donation using your account. You can also use your debit/credit card.

Make an online donation by clicking the button below.

You may also send your check to READ Philippines, 9118 Spindletree Way, Jacksonville, FL 32256. For further information about this program, please call (904) 318-0825.

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List of Schools in South Cotabato Supported by MOP
June 24, 2009, Polomolok, South Cotabato - Mahintana Foundation in South Cotabato, an important institutional partner of MOP which provides assistance in delivering and turning over book donation to school beneficiaries, sent a list of schools that have received support from MOP. The list shows that since June 2007, a total of sixteen (16) schools in South Cotabato alone have received books (48 volumes of encylopedia and 2,346 pieces of reading/reading materials). These schools serve a total number of 6,412 students.

Thanks to MOP's generous supporters and dedicated volunteers for helping MOP reach out to poor children in South Cotabato. Click here to view the list.

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Schools in Sarangani Province Received Books from MOP
June 19, 2009, Polomolok, South Cotabato - Dunstan Egar, Project Officer of Mahintana Foundation, a partner of READ Philippines in Mindanao, sent turnover reports on books donated to (1) Rogaya Bajunaid Elementary, Barangay Tinoto, Maasim; (2) Datal Baca Elementary in Datal Baca, Malungon, and (3) Daliao Elementary in Maasim. These schools in Sarangani Province, Mindanao Region, serve students described as Indigenous People (Blaan tribe). Thirty to sixty percent of students are Muslims. The schools did not have a library. MOP's book donation helped start a library system in these schools to encourage children to read. Click here to read turnover reports.

Parents & teachers unloading books donated by MOP. Students carrying books to school.

MOP's book donation will enable the school to start a small library.

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Banay Banay Elementary, Davao Oriental
June 18, 2009, Davao Oriental - Teacher Bert Anthony San Juan requested books for Banay Banay Elementary with 1,172 students and 39 teachers. Banay Banay has a population of approximately 35,000 people, mostly farmers, fishermen and manual laborers. BanayBanay was chosen as a contender school for the Regional Reading Center. In order to compete, Mr. San Juan requested books from MOP. The school also created a Book Lovers Club to encourage more children to cultivate a habit of reading. Photos taken when books arrived can be viewed here.

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More Schools in North Cotabato and Maguindanao Received Books from MOP
June 16, 2009, Kidapawan City - MOP partner MinLand Foundation sends turnover report on educational resources donated to the following schools:

Datang Elementary School, Datu Paglas, Maguindanao
Datu Paglas National High School, Poblacion, Datu Paglas, Maguindanao
Eastern Kutawato Islamic Institute, Poblacion, Buluan, Maguindanao
Eastern Kutawato College, Poblacion, Buluan, Maguindanao
Datu Paglas Memorial College, Poblacion, Datu Paglas, Maguindanao
College of Arts and Sciences, USM, Kabacan, North Cotabato
Tapodoc Elementary School, Aleosan, North Cotabato

Click Here to Read the Report

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Final Report on School Breakfast Program
June 1, 2009, Kidapawan City - MinLand Foundation, READ Philippines (MOP)'s partner in the Philippines, sent a final report on the school breakfast program supported by MOP. Below is EJ's message via email:

"Attached is a copy of the terminal report (documentation and financial) covering the School Breakfast Program (SBP) implemented at Datu Ambel High School last school year (2008-2009) which READ Philippines generously supported.

The program helped keep students in school and encouraged them to improve performance in classrooms.  Your generosity has inspired students to do their best in school because they realized that they are supported by people they do not know and are far away from them.

Unfortunately, we are not unable to continue the program during the 2009-2010 school year due to logistical constraints.

We are, however, continuing a scholarship program that supports students from poor families in remote and/or conflict affected areas. Financial support is used for daily public transportation, food, supplies, uniform and other school related expenses. Should you be interested in learning more about the scholarship program, we would be glad to email the information to you. The cost of supporting one child per school day is PhP30 (thirty pesos)

Once again, our sincere thanks for the trust and support you have given us in pursuing the SBP at Datu Ambel Memorial High School for school year 2008-2009.

Best regards,

Mr. EJ Matela
Director - Post Conflict and Rural Services
Mindanao Land Foundation (MinLand)"

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Follow Up Report from Schools in Ifugao Province
May 24, 2009, Cordillera Mountain, Philippines - Jocelyn Annayo at Hungduan Central School sent a follow-up email regarding the two boxes received from MOP.

"We received the two boxes of books sent through the Philippine Air Force Region 2 in Cauayan, Isabela, Philippines. The other box was given to the Bokiawan Elementary School while the other box was retained here at Hungduan Central School. Both schools serve primarily the indigenous Igorots. The books are of good quality and hard bound. We are very thankful for your donation. Please extend our heartfelt thanks to Col. Magnaye for his assistance.

I am sorry it took a long time to acknowledge your donation. Hungduan, Ifugao still does not have internet services. Attached are photos of the school and the books donated by MOP."

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MinLand Foundation Sends Turnover Report for January and February 2009
April 4, 2009 - Books from MOP were turned over to schools in Cotabato with the assistance of MinLand Foundation, MOP's partner in Mindanao. E.J. Matela, Program Director for MinLand, writes:

"We continue to express our gratitude for the valuable donations.  Your efforts to contribute to the advancement of Filipino education is producing tangible results.  I never thought that people were really this hungry for books, for information, for knowledge. MOP has bravely taken steps further than many other organizations normally do. MOP has effectively transformed its ideas, plans and pronouncements into sustained actions without bragging."

Click below to view the reports.

January 2009 turnover report

February 2009 turnover report

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MOP Representative Visited Schools in Mindanao
April 4, 2009 - MOP partner in Mindanao, MinLand Foundation, sent a report on Bong Vicente's visit to school beneficiaries in Mindanao, faciliated by MinLand staff. The visit included Datu Ambel High School where MOP is helping implement a school breakfast program to motivate students to stay in school and increase graduation rate. Click here to read MinLand's report. Bong's report is also available here.

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Schools and Day Care Centers in Batangas
March 24, 2009, Rosario, Batangas - With the assistance of the Rotary Club of Rosario, three balikbayan boxes of books were distributed to three elementary schools and two day care centers in Batangas.

Rotary members with teachers and students at Mayuro Elem School

On behalf of Rotary Club of Rosario, Batangas Philippines RI District 3820, I would like to thank READ Philippines for the three boxes of books. The Rotary Club has distributed the books to following schools and day care centers:
1. Mayuro Elementary School
2. Macalamcam B Elementary School
3. Macalamcam A and Mayuro Day Care Centers
4. San Carlos Elementary School

Thank you and God Bless!

Pres. Criselda E. Maranan
President RC Rosario
RI District 3820

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MLG College of Learning, Leyte
March 24, 2009, Hilongos, Leyte - One balikbayan box of fiction books was donated to MLG College of Learning in Barangay Atabay, Hilongos, Leyte. MLG enrolls poor students who cannot afford to attend universities in Cebu and Manila. MLG provides scholarships to indigent but deserving students and offers secondary and undergraduate education. Since tuition fees are low, MLG is not able to purchase books for the library. MLG Librarian Erlinda Balamon (Tel: 053 336 2932) requested fiction books from MOP to encourage students to read.

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Sablayan Central, Occidental Mindoro
March 4, 2009, Occidental Mindoro - Books for Sablayan Central in Mindoro have arrived. Below is email from Donate2Create Project, the organization that requested books on behalf of Sablayan.

Dear MOP Staff,

We're so happy to tell you that your donation arrived last week. Our Librarian-In-charge received the box and checked the books. We'll forward the inventory of what we have received. With this email, we attached pictures of the delivery and student volunteers who opened the box.

Students of Sablayan Central School.

Thank you so much for the books you have sent for the library. The kids couldn't wait to borrow and read the newly-acquired books.  
 
JENIFFER LONTOC ARCEO
DONATE 2 CREATE
www.donate-create.com
Sablayan,Occidental Mindoro
Philippines
+63-929-816-72-73
 donate_create@hotmail.com

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Arsenal Elementary School, Orion, Bataan
March 4, 2009, Orion, Bataan - Ms. Ilynne Samonte, who is now principal of Arsenal Elementary School in Bataan, also requested books for this school named Arsenal because it is located inside the compound where bullets for the Department of National Defense are manufactured. The school was built 30 years ago for children of Philippine Marines who relocated from other provinces. However, the school also enrolls students from non-military families in neighboring communities. Parents of these children are manual laborers and tricycle drivers. The school has a spare room but there are no library and reading books available for 330 students in Grades 1 to 6 and two classes in the Pre-Elementary with about 40 students. The achievement test scores were low. Therefore, Ms. Samonte asked for MOP's book support.

Students of Arsenal Elementary reading the books donated by MOP.


Pre-elementary children were happy to receive books from MOP.

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Eva-Aeta Elementary School, Orion, Bataan
January 21, 2009, Orion, Bataan - Head Teacher Ilynne Samonte sent the turnover report for Eva-Aeta Elementary School in Sitio Pita, Bayan-bayanan, Upper Bilolo in Orion, Bataan. Ms. Samonte writes:

"Maybe you are wondering why I have such deep advocacy for reading. Well, I love reading myself. Love it so much that I took up Master of Arts in Teaching Reading as my post graduate course (unfortunately i still have to finish my thesis!). I get frustrated a lot by the fact that I cannot instill the love of reading in these children simply because we do not have the materials to motivate them to read. People like you make it happen."

Ms. Ilynne Samonte and Dr. Roger de Padua

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34 Balikbayan Boxes of Books Shipped for School Beneficiaries in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao
January 4, 2009, Jacksonville, FL - READ Philippines celebrated the New Year by sending 34 boxes of books for schools in Batangas, Bataan, Mindoro, Surigao del Sur, Davao del Sur, Davao Oriental, Davao City, Digos City, Leyte and North & South Cotabato. The shipment also included books for a barangay library in Leyte.

Click here to view photodocumentation for January 2009 shipment.

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2008 Completed Projects
(click here to read READ Philippines's projects in 2008)