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.

October Box

A box with about 257 books and some supplies like crayons and pencils has been shipped out to Synergeia last October 25. I am so excited about this box, not only because it contains quite a selection of nice picture and story books, but also because it was sponsored by Kids Helping Kids, a local non-profit, committed to helping children.






Wonderful blessings, indeed!

What I learned from this experience is important. If you want something done, don't stop hoping and praying. Somehow, I was led to generous donors who support sending books to kids in remote provinces. I am hoping to write books for them one day--stories about them, in their dialect. . .Optimism is the key.

Shown here with Laura Page, CEO of Kids Helping Kids and

their whole Board, with their children, who help out, too!

I am filling up a box up now with supplies and books for shipping out on January 2009. Would you be kind enough to save your kids' used story and picture books for then?

2008 Book Drive

During Candlelight Books' inception last year, we were able to send 5 boxes of books (about 200 books each) through our Manila partner foundation, Synergeia.

This year, I am calling out to everyone who may want to donate their children's used books
(elementary level) to Philippine schools in remote provinces.

Before this first delivery, the children only have mimeographed papers and textbooks to read. The few colored storybooks are put away somewhere for protection from rodents and theft.



The children squealed with delight when they saw the books from the States! They even had to wash their hands before handling them.

It is the vision of Candlelight Books to establish reading corners, filled with colored storybooks, with vivid pictures on white paper--in every elementary school we can reach.

Please help us by getting a book drive together. Email me at mrcuenca@yahoo.com for more details.

Many thanks!

Minotte

Kidz Blessings

A new blessing has come our way in the form of KIDZ Helping Kids.Org--a non-profit group founded by Tyler Page, 10, from Brentwood, CA. His simple idea and big heart to raise $240 in order to keep one Ghanaian child out of trafficking into a fundraising and leadership movement for global transformation, turned into a realized goal of raising $50,000.

They have now set their goals higher as Laura Page, Tyler's mom, shares that nothing is impossible.

KIDZ Helping Kids.Org has committed to sponsoring the next box of Candlelight Books to be sent out at the end of October.

What a big blessing in these times of crisis. I have been quite worried about not having funds to send this box that has been overdue. Cooperation is truly the virtue of the millenium.

What a big treat the Filipino kids will have as this box has treats like lollipops in them, aside from books.

Thank you to Laura Page and KIDZ Helping Kids.Org. I will attend their fundraiser next week and let you know!

Meanwhile, check out their website and find out how you can help out in small ways--but with big impact.

Amazon's Bargain Books

I just stumbled upon the bargain bookstore at
Bargain Books Section where there are premium books for as low as $1.55.

Of course, nothing beats the free book donations from many generous neighbors but browsing the bargain section is truly fun!

I just filled out a box of books and just awaiting funds to send it out.

Should you need bargain priced books or have extra storybooks, kindly keep some for us. Or else, please indicate so I may pick up in the East Bay.