Books for the school children in the Philippines..

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. When I first went back home to visit my hometown in the Philippines 14 years ago, I thought that the best thing I could contribute to the community is to set up a small library on the small block of land I purchased and invite children to come and read after school and on weekends.. This is after I saw the condition of the school when I went around to sticky beak.. They did not have a library. Setting up a library, no matter how small was impossible for me because I wasn't there and the people I spoke to about the idea were not interested. They seemed to be only interested in entertainment like they are really keen on you hiring a karaoke machine for them and they would sing all night. It seemed like the kids were not the priority.. For the first 3 or 4 years going back and forth staying only short periods, I organised gatherings for the kids.. prepared food and gave away some school needs.. But I observed that the adults were not interested with my dream for the kids over there.. So some of the books were damaged by humidity being stocked for a few years in the store room.. I managed to save some and gave them away to the children in the neighbourhood.. I still gather books but I send them to school..The school has now a new building and a small library..there is progress there and you can feel their pride.. Last year, we delivered a set of books and my collection of Times Magazines and National Geographics Magazines to them for the secondary students.. I was really heartbroken to see a library with no books at all but only old text books.. So this year I sent out another set of books for the primary school children.. They requested for story books for the little ones , so that's what I am going to send next year.. I will go to second hand book stores , ask my neighbours and friends who have children and grandchildren who have books they may want to pass on.. I have two big boxes of books here already but I am saving for the shipment.. It's not cheap to send balikbayan boxes.. The photo up there was taken last Feb.. I met for the first time the Principal of the school..They were very thankful!. At least even though my dream of setting up a library did not come true, I hope those books will help more kids.. Reading books is very important.. I hope the adults encourage the children to love books and read more rather than time playing games online at the computer shop opposite the school.. I hope the school let the students take those books home to read.. Those sets of encyclopedias are still good enough to help with their research... One thing I learned from my travel back and forth over there for the last 14 years, is that you can not dream for others.. But we can try to inspire them to dream for the better for themselves... Thanks kindly for your time reading .. Bess..