Puerto Galera Library Project

Puerto Galera still reigns as one of the most interesting and most beautiful beaches in the Philippines. MyPuerto Galera-resident, eco-conscious and Facebook friend, Bernadette Wolf, and her group, has spearheaded the very first public library in the area.

The local government has awarded the group with an unused room, on top of the town's public market.

"It doesn't even have a door!" sighs B. "But all the shelves and cabinets are all set and available. The tables and chairs are stacked up in a near-by school. The three PCs are also already available. There are also available books/encyclopedias to be just properly cataloged for library use."

Slowly but surely, her group has volunteered to renovate the room into a library, ready to receive books.







Book donors are welcome!

Aklatan Pambata

Aklatan Pambata is a reading center in the heart of Quezon City. Operated by volunteers, it opens its doors to the neighborhood children every Saturday mornings.

I am still awaiting more information, but for the meantime, here are the pictures of the books, donated by Gigi Bermejo-Lacson and Susan Sy-Cua. Many thanks, ladies, and more blessings!

Tree of Hope School for the Aetas

The South Plainfield New Jersey Chapter headed by Lia Velez sent a box of books to the Tree of Hope School for the Aetas in Quezon, the very first elementary school for Aeta children. The books were received and distributed by Rep. Erin Tanada.

Many thanks to all our donors and facilitators! More blessings!

Another Box

This box of goodies will be sent off to Mrs. Juanita Arguel, who devoted herself to the education of the hard-of-hearing students at Limay Elementary School, Bataan, Philippines. Mrs. Limay has since retired but I saw her in on TV, talking about here life's work. It is in her honor that we will make this contribution tho their grade school library:



Because of her, Candlelight Books has been inspired to collect women's and family magazines that may be scarce and expensive for teachers to browse on.

More power to all teachers!

New Jersey Chapter

Many thanks to the New Jersey Chapter--Priscilla Lopazanski, Niko Cancio, Kelly Cancio, Vivien Hsu Velez, Lia, Mon and Vicente Velez--for the box of books designated towards Congressman Erin Tanada's district in Quezon, at the Tree of Hope School for the Aeta chidren.

Please take a look at the wonderful and colorful storybooks coming their way. . .

NJ Books.

Dynamic Team Company

Their mission to teach unschooled, labor-exploited and neglected street children is slowly being realized today. The group also conducts weekly feeding, first aid treatment of scabies and wounds, and values formation activities through their K4 Project (Kariton Klasrum, Klinik at Kantin--Classroom, Clinic, Canteen). Hygiene and first aid skills are supervised by registered midwives and professional nurses who are Dynanic Team Company Alumni.

Formed in 1997 in Cavite by Efren Peñaflorida, its mission then was to keep the youth away from trouble and vices. He has been nominated as a CNN Hero.

Read their story here: Dynamic Team Company.

Please help me assemble a box filled with pencils, pens, crayons, books, bath soap, and some over-the-counter first-aid supplies. I am willing to pick up in the East Bay area.

Many thanks!

CNN Heroes: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Impact

Watch Yohannes Gebregeorgis, an Ehtiopian political refugee, came to the US as a librarian. He found there were no children's books in Ethiopia's main language. After writing one himself, he set up the nonprofit Ethiopia Reads and moved home to set up libraries and reading centers.



Or check out the CNN link, HERE, and the for the video, click here.

Or read the article here CNN's 2008 Heroes Coverage.