by Ben Taib Pakil
May 24, 2012- one of the most memorable dates for LSM volunteers. We are all excited to travel south of Luzon, in the town of Victoria, Mindoro.
This will be a unique experience to travel out of town and conduct community service. Finally the project has come to reality!
LSM network project dubbed as iShare-a-Book is its first campaign aiming to leverage the equal access to basic right to education among schoolchildren. Since early February, we have been busy promoting our project, letting our donors understand the need to equal access to books and reading materials. The project also aims to reverse the high level of illiteracy among rural schoolchildren.
I feel honored to have become an instrument for such kind of good cause. Our dear friends in college and colleagues at work have supported the cause by donating around 300 titles.
On that day, we departed at 8:00 pm onboard a bus going to Batangas port. The bus arrived in Batangas City port at 10:30 in the evening. It was not until 12 midnight when the next trip to Calapan via a Roll-on-Roll-off vessel was scheduled so we had moments to laugh and share good jokes with each other.
At exactly 12:30 we left for Calapan City, Mindoro. Two hours later we touched down Mindoro and jumped in a van for another hour of trip inland to the town of Victoria. After more the 7 hours of trip, we finally arrived at our destination.
May 25, 2012- 8 o'clock in morning, we traveled several kilometers west near Mount Halcon. They call their place sitio Dangare. You can easily count the number of house in the area. From the cul-de-sac where we can no longer push through our driving we are told to ready ourselves for some kilometers of walk. At this end, we met teacher Christian, the teacher-in-charge for the school.
Sir Cristian has walked with us through direction and patience. He guided us along the easy way to cross the first river. The current could break our hold and take away the books we were carrying. Then came our second river-cross, easy now, then another one.
Sir Christian is a young dedicated teacher. I can almost imagine how his not-so-average day is spent: living the life in a far-flung area, teaching the villagers. Whenever he saw someone looking tired and heavy, he would constantly encourage us to walk more, and more, to reach the place. “Malapit na tayo,” he assured.
An hour later, we arrived in Tadyawan Elementary School. The community is nestled atop the hill. We dedicated a brief period to let the children know who we are as a group, what our project is all about, and how we want them to use the books. I could sense the excitement brewing, as some caught sight of glossy-cover story books. As if they have decided which would come first to their hands.
Project Ishare would like to become part of every child’s dream and its realisation. We believe that books are instrumental in building hopes for better future. Books inspire us; tickle our imagination; give the best advice; provide entertainment; help us improve our being.
I don’t regret in sharing what I have for these kids. And I hope soon –God knows— they will become successful career persons; enginers, teachers, public servants, doctors, and even lawyers. But for now, there is no to stopping with our mission yet. We will be planting hope in the province of Zambales soon!
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LSM Project iShare: First Leg
May 24, 2012- one of the most memorable dates for LSM volunteers. We are all excited to travel south of Luzon, in the town of Victoria, Mindoro.
This will be a unique experience to travel out of town and conduct community service. Finally the project has come to reality!
LSM network project dubbed as iShare-a-Book is its first campaign aiming to leverage the equal access to basic right to education among schoolchildren. Since early February, we have been busy promoting our project, letting our donors understand the need to equal access to books and reading materials. The project also aims to reverse the high level of illiteracy among rural schoolchildren.
 |
On that day, we departed at 8:00 pm onboard a bus going to Batangas port. The bus arrived in Batangas City port at 10:30 in the evening. It was not until 12 midnight when the next trip to Calapan via a Roll-on-Roll-off vessel was scheduled so we had moments to laugh and share good jokes with each other.
At exactly 12:30 we left for Calapan City, Mindoro. Two hours later we touched down Mindoro and jumped in a van for another hour of trip inland to the town of Victoria. After more the 7 hours of trip, we finally arrived at our destination.
May 25, 2012- 8 o'clock in morning, we traveled several kilometers west near Mount Halcon. They call their place sitio Dangare. You can easily count the number of house in the area. From the cul-de-sac where we can no longer push through our driving we are told to ready ourselves for some kilometers of walk. At this end, we met teacher Christian, the teacher-in-charge for the school.
Sir Cristian has walked with us through direction and patience. He guided us along the easy way to cross the first river. The current could break our hold and take away the books we were carrying. Then came our second river-cross, easy now, then another one.
Sir Christian is a young dedicated teacher. I can almost imagine how his not-so-average day is spent: living the life in a far-flung area, teaching the villagers. Whenever he saw someone looking tired and heavy, he would constantly encourage us to walk more, and more, to reach the place. “Malapit na tayo,” he assured.
An hour later, we arrived in Tadyawan Elementary School. The community is nestled atop the hill. We dedicated a brief period to let the children know who we are as a group, what our project is all about, and how we want them to use the books. I could sense the excitement brewing, as some caught sight of glossy-cover story books. As if they have decided which would come first to their hands.
Project Ishare would like to become part of every child’s dream and its realisation. We believe that books are instrumental in building hopes for better future. Books inspire us; tickle our imagination; give the best advice; provide entertainment; help us improve our being.
I don’t regret in sharing what I have for these kids. And I hope soon –God knows— they will become successful career persons; enginers, teachers, public servants, doctors, and even lawyers. But for now, there is no to stopping with our mission yet. We will be planting hope in the province of Zambales soon!
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LSM banners actions: lead, serve, and motivate. Established
in 2010, LSM initially purposed to promote social change through cyber-activism.
From online activism which is still a component of its campaign, it has taken
stride to bring social participation through volunteering efforts. In 2012 it
launches is first project iShare-a-Book to promote literacy amongst
underprivileged and marginalized kids.
