“Libro Mo, Inspirasyon ko” Book Drive Benefited Two Schools in Benguet

An multi-organization online book drive campaign has successfully benefited a highs school and an elementary school in Benguet last Tuesday, October 16, 2012, with more than 10 boxes of book donations.

The “Libro mo, Inspirasyon ko” was initiated by several online organizations. Originally, they were hoping to gather enough books to bring to Camilo Lucaben Elementary School in Madaymen where the school is still starting to build their library. With their online campaign, they were able to gather more than enough books to benefit two schools.

The new high school in Natubleng where teachers are also starting to build their library were given their share of books. Both school beneficiaries still have to create bookshelves for the books, the highschool in Natubleng even have to borrow a building for their offices and library.

Donations came from groups and individuals in the locality and from Bulacan, Manila and all the way from Hongkong, Europe and Australia. Among the donations were four complete sets of encyclopedia, 300 textbooks, several boxes of story books and magazines including transportation and food allowance.

Francis Simeon, one of the group leaders said the project is a big success. “With different projects we supported like concerts for causes and blood drives, this one is a good start to address also the educational needs of our growing number of school children,” he said.

Biggest donation came from Kairuz café by the Licdan family who donated the encyclopedia sets and several story books that were divided for the two schools. Other donations came from I Love Cordillera group, FB cooks group and other groups and individuals who requested not to be named.

This is just the start of the project of these groups to help build the libraries of far flung barangays in the Cordilleras. The next drive is scheduled for January and June next year where the group is hoping to gather enough books to benefit more schools in preparation for the next school year.

The drive was accompanied by 22 leaders from different groups namely I Love Cordillera, Decat, Luzon14, Smile Movement, Interactive Cordillera, Association of Small Groups on Facebook which comprised of about 10 small groups and the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) of Baguio.

After the turnover of books, an educational short film was shown to the kids followed by a short lecture on proper hygiene by Elmer Balbalin of EMS. The group also decided to launch the Cordillera Smile Movement in this isolated school with the The project theme “Libro Mo, Inspirasyon Ko” is initiated to develop school children’s love for reading.



Carl C. Taawan

These books came from Kairuz cafe by the Licdan Family. It's about half of the total book donations.

Highschool studenst and teachers in Natubleng posed with the Libro mo, Inspirasyon ko team.

The nursery pupils in Natubleng with their teacher Elizabeth Calabias received some extra nursery books and teaching materials.

The nursery pupils in Natubleng uses cutout wood blocks in the absence of toy blocks to enhance their creativity.

Elementary school students in Madaymen eagerly received the books.

Grade 6 students performed a song for the Libro mo, Inspirasyon ko team after receiving the books donations.

Camilo Lucaben Elementary School were treated with a movie after receiving the book donations.

Elmer Balbalin of the Baguio Emergency Medical Services during the book drive.

Teachers of the Camilo Lucaben Elementary School posed with the Libro mo, Inspirasyon ko team.