Mar 10, 2008

First Provincial AHON Library Launch

The very first provincial library launch for an adopted libary of AHON Foundation was held last March 10, 2008 in a historic event at the Calaba Elementary School in San Isidro, Nueva Ecija.


The Calaba Elementary School, with more than 620 elementary students, will now enjoy over PhP 500 million pesos worth of brand new Time-Life books donated by Filway Marketing thru AHON Foundation, and its partners, A Better Chance Foundation, and Uniworld Inc.



The new Calaba Elementary School library was practically set up in less than 2 weeks through the untiring joint efforts of the local community under the leadership of their Honorable Mayor Sonia R. Lorenzo, the Dep Ed District Supervisor, Mr. Ricardo Badiola; the FPTCA President Kgd. Francis R. Ibanez, barangay captain, other local government officials, the parent-teacher council, and other community members.


The Calaba Elementary School Principal, Mrs. Alona S. Sta. Ines, coordinated this project with the AHON Foundation team, spearheaded by Donna Odra and Val Buenaventura. Mrs. Sta. Ines welcomed the special guests for the occasion with beaming smiles--her happiness resonating that of her community's excitement & gladness at their school's new library.
















Energizing the library launch more with the announcement of additonal support for the community, via a donation of about 200 pairs of eye glasses for those who will need them, was Mr. Lewis A. Edwards, Founder/Chairman of A Better Chance (ABC) Foundation. The mission of his foundation is to provide scholarships for the poor, among many other social development projects. With Mr. Edwards was his team composed of Project Director Hidie Niedo and Coordinator, Maricris Encarnacion. Also present during the festivities were VP for Marketing of Filway Marketing, Inc., Ms. Valerie Valena and Marketing staff, Melanie Renales.

Towards the end of the heartwarming program, Mr. Harveh Keh, Executive Director for AHON Foundation, turned over the books ceremonially to the president of the student council, who represented the excited students, eager to read the books for the very first time.


The eyes of the elementary pupils simply twinkled at the sight of so many colorful and hard-bound books in their new library. The younger kids rushed towards shelves with storybooks about animals and planets, while the older school children moved excitedly towards the reference books on various topics on Science, Social Studies, Reading, etc.



Due to the success of this project, Mayor Sonia Lorenzo and the other principals believe this experience can be replicated with their respective schools in the district. Everyone agreed that there is no greater joy than to see for oneself the wonderful fruits of the bayanihan spirit at work in the community.


Talks are underway for similar projects in the future. With a growing circle of friends and supporters, not only of AHON Foundation, but of the local communities as well, such dreams will not be too far from reality.


The Calaba Elementary School library was the 11th public elementary school library adopted by AHON Foundation in less than two years. The list of the other elementary school (ES) libaries inaugurated since May 2006 is as follows:

  1. Industrial Valley ES ( August 8, 2006)

  2. Concepcion ES (November 14, 2006)

  3. Malanday ES (February 26, 2007)

  4. San Roque ES (April 18, 2007)

  5. GSIS Village ES (September 13, 2007)

  6. Batasan Hills ES (September 20, 2007)

  7. San Bartolome ES (September 25, 2007)

  8. Lucas Pascual ES (October 4, 2007)

  9. Payatas B-Annex ES (December 12, 2007)

  10. 15th Avenue, Cubao ES (February 20, 2007)

  11. Calaba ES, Nueva Ecija (March 10, 2008)

  12. Old Balara ES (March 14, 2008)