By Renester P. Suralta
It has been a dream of learners in the uplands to have a library. The school library provides an opportunity for learners to read books and explore the world. It must have the collection of reading materials such as books, encyclopedias, periodicals, newspapers, maps, documents among others. The library is said to be the ‘heart and soul’ of a school. Unfortunately, many learners in the mountain barangay finished primary school without seeing a real one.
However, things have changed and prayers were answered for the learners of Makatol Elementary School and Malubog Elementary School in Toledo City. With the initiative of the newly assigned school head luckily, the schools were able to acquire books and reading materials from different generous, service-oriented, and philanthropic civic groups in Cebu City.
The first group who responded to the call was the Cebu Magellan Lions Club and Cebu Centennial Lion’s Club International, headed by Janice Magsumbol and Sherly Mendonza presidents respectively. Both groups unmindful of the distance, rough roads, and heavy rain came to school all the way from Cebu City. The groups donated textbooks, reference books like a complete set of Encyclopedias, comics, charts, toys, and refreshments to students.
The next group was the Cebu Lions Club headed by Dr. Lucia L Chiong Sy of Cambridge School of Cebu who donated textbooks, reference books, pocketbooks, school supplies, and snacks. The group also donated reading materials and school supplies to neighboring Malubog Elementary School.
The last group was USPF HS Alumni Batch 94 who reached out to the uplands of Toledo City to donate books and reading materials. The group was sponsored by Mr. Quitin Jose Pastrana former anchor of Bloomberg News Philippines Founder of Library Renewal Partnership. The alumni were headed by active batch president Nancy Villa. Among the donated books are the abridged and unabridged dictionaries.
The school and students were so happy and grateful to receive a total of 1,160 of different titles of books from these civic groups and individuals. The school is now very proud of its mini library where students can do research and read books during free time.
