AHON Brings More Joy to Children

MARCH 6, 2015, NUEVA VIZCAYA — Two libraries in Bayombong and Villaverde were newly refurbished thanks to AHON Foundation and its partner organizations. The new partner schools, La Torre Elementary School and Bintawan South Elementary School, were recommended by Former Mayor of Sta. Fe, Nueva Vizcaya. The inauguration proved to be a success as school officials, students, and their parents celebrated their schools’ new libraries with much joy and excitement.

Aside from the book delivery and inauguration of the library, the children were also delighted by the storytelling activity conducted by volunteers from the Kaya Natin! Movement for Good Governance and Ethical Leadership, Excel Center for Educational Leadership and the Jesse Robredo Foundation. Both the children and the volunteer storytellers truly enjoyed the storytelling session, and created a bond among the students in a short amount of time.

Volunteers and children posing as "Pikpakbum" and "Tiktaktok"

Currently, AHON Foundation continues its search for more schools to partner with and provide more libraries to. AHON Foundation is still accepting children’s books, storybooks, and reference books for their book drives to be given to more public elementary schools around the country.

AHON Foundation Continues to Give

AHON Foundation opened the first quarter of the year right by setting up two new libraries in Manila and Cabiao, Nueva Ecija. Sta. Rita Elementary School in Manila was inaugurated on January 8, 2015, while J. Zamora Elementary School in Cabiao had its inaugurating session on January 13, 2015, only a week after Sta. Rita. The foundation continues to seek out prospective partner schools for their Adopt-A-Library Project, under the support of Ms. Lissa Murillo. Early this January, AHON Foundation visited two schools in Nueva Vizcaya: La Torre Elementary School in Bayombong, and Bintawan South Elementary School in Villaverde,  in the hope of partnering with them for the said project.

These acts of generosity and kindness that rang in the new year did not stop there. Last January 28, 2015, AHON Foundation received its own blessings in the form of a box filled with varied books, from storybooks, to novels, to text books. This package was graciously sent by Mr. Nicamil Sanchez of the Australian Catholic University Postgraduate Association. The books in the box were then donated to Picab Elementary School in Infanta, Quezon. The happiness was evident among the local government units, teachers, parents, and especially the children when they received the donated books. A short ceremonial turn-over followed after.

Currently, AHON Foundation is planning on partnering with Iba Central School located in Zambales. The foundation intends to open a library in the said school to commemorate the late Pastor Pastores, one of the school’s alumnus. The family of JudgePastor Pastores would like to help make improvements in the school their patriarch grew up in, and preserve his memory. 

Other schools visited by AHON Foundation were ones located in Iriga City. Target opening of libraries set for these schools is April 2015.  The principals in both schools visited in Iriga City accepted the one-month refurbishing challenge, with the help of their city’s former mayor, Ms. Madeleine Alfelor-Gazmen.

Bringing the joy of reading to children in Pampanga

ABS-CBN Online version of the article

Children must be given the opportunity to learn more beyond the four corners of a classroom, and school libraries are one of the efficient ways that can help facilitate this. The quality of education of public elementary school students are embedded in the kind of facilities and resources that are accessible to them. One of the primary facilities that a school should have is a functional library. However, many public elementary schools still do not have libraries, and those that do have yet to make their libraries child-friendly and functional. Thus, it is no longer surprising that we continue to still have many non-readers in our public schools.

The Acts of Hope for the Nation (AHON) Foundation responds to this need by opening more public elementary school libraries around the Philippines to provide Filipino children with relevant opportunities so they may gain more knowledge by practicing a culture of reading.

Recently, AHON Foundation together with former Pampanga Gov. Eddie “Among Ed” Panlilio and Sen. Teofisto “TG” Guingona III, opened two (2) child-friendly libraries in public schools in Pampanga – San Agustin Integrated School in San Fernando and San Juan Nepomuceno Elementary School in Guagua. The whole community, including the local government officials, barangay officers, alumni, PTA members and other stakeholders, attended the inauguration.

Unlike other groups who just donate books, AHON’s main condition for its donating more than P 350,000.00 worth of brand new books per school is for the community to work together to renovate and refurbish its existing library. This would mean providing enough tables, chairs and shelves that children can use as well as providing adequate lighting and ventilation that would make learning conducive for every child.

“Nagpapasalamat po kami na natupad na ang aming hiling na magkaroon ng library itong eskwelahan,” said Mrs. Marie Grace Ramos, Principal of San Agustin Integrated School.

According to Mrs. Leilani Capati, Principal of San Juan Nepomuceno Elementary School, they really want to put up a library but they do not have enough resources.

“Mabuti na lang po at andiyan kayo para tulungan kami sa matagal na naming pinapangarap na library. Makakatulong po talaga ito sa mga bata,” she said. Among Ed Panlilio, the former governor of the Province of Pampanga, stated that, “Kung ‘di lang din sa kooperasiyon niyong lahat, hindi tayo magkakaroon ng library. Congatulations sa inyong lahat!”

On a related note, Sen. Guingona said, “Napakaswerte ninyo dahil mayroon na kayong ganitong kagagandang libro na maaaring magamit sa inyong pag-aaral. Sana ay huwag ninyong sayangin ito dahil ang edukasyon at pagbabasa ay ang susi sa mas magandang kinabukasan para sa inyong lahat.”

Even when libraries are provided, they cannot be functional if the children are not encouraged to enter the library and read the books that are now accessible to them. Mr. Hector O. Tagaysay, Chairman of AHON Foundation, encouraged the children to read the books and promised them that AHON will replace the books if they become worn-out.

To date, AHON Foundation opened 110 public elementary school libraries in different places such as La Union, Nueva Ecija, Camarines Sur, Quezon, Bulacan, Pampanga, Rizal, Leyte, Ilocos Sur, Isabela, Pangasinan, Laguna, Batangas, Ifugao and Metro Manila benefiting more than 500,000 public elementary pupils. AHON Foundation still believes and continues to work on providing functional and child-friendly libraries in the hope of uplifting the quality of education in the country.

For those who are interested to volunteer or support AHON Foundation, you can send an email to ahonfoundation@gmail.com or call (02) 518-0021.

Pursuing dreams through education

La Union students welcome the school year with new libraries

Manila Bullletin version of the article

Amid the gloomy and rainy weather last June 13, AHON Foundation brought cheer to public school children in La Union by opening up new libraries filled with books.

Together with its chairman, Hector Tagaysay and executive director Harvey Keh, the AHON Team inaugurated libraries in Aringay Central School, Bauang North Central School, Paringao Elementary School and Bangar Central School. These libraries also set a new milestone for AHON Foundation since it is their 102nd to 105th partner schools all over the Philippines. Tagaysay said that AHON is continuing its advocacy to make quality books reach thousands of children in various parts of the country.

AHON Foundation’s new libraries give pupils from La Union the opportunity to explore worlds beyond their imagination through reading.

During the launch, the schools held their own celebrations. Aringay Central School celebrated in a simple way but used their technological capacities to show that they can also go with the rise of high-tech equipment. It was noticed by Tagaysay who praised the use of LCD projector in the program.

“High-tech pala kayo dito. Sa dami na naming na-inaugurate na schools sa AHON, ngayon lang ako naka-experience na may projector,” he said.

Tagaysay pointed out that despite the technological advancement in this century, it is still essential to persuade the children to read books in the libraries as it will help them in their studies and shape their values. He reminded teachers and parents to encourage the children to read books because there are not enough information that they can collect when they only watch television and use computers.

“Mas maganda pa din na magbasa ang mga bata dahil mas matututo sila doon kaysa sa panonood lang ng TV,” Tagaysay argued during his message.

The children, meanwhile, were eager to use the books and read more since they are interested in reading.

At the Bauang North Central School and Paringao Elementary School, a powerhouse cast of local government officials led by Vice Mayor Bonifacio Malinao, Department of Education representatives, religious leaders, and the academic community gathered for the celebration.

The launch of the library in Paringao Elementray School was met with much enthusiasm by the children who eagerly sat at the storytelling corner and began reading the books.

The last leg of inauguration was held in Bangar Central School where the children warmly welcomed the AHON team. The launch was supported by the stakeholders. The program went smoothly but there’s a unique part which became remarkable to everybody. Instead of singing the National Anthem, they sang “Ako’y Pilipino.” Tagaysay admired the act, saying that it signifies nationalism for the children which should also be instilled in them.

The new partner schools in La Union were all grateful to AHON Foundation for helping them achieve their dream of building well-functioning libraries that will surely be utilized by the children. For AHON Foundation, the launch of the four libraries has set a new milestone as they reached 105 schools. As partners of the government, they hope to increase the literacy rates in public elementary schools, and continue in helping children to dream more through education.

Thank you Manila Bulletin for publishing our article!

(For your queries and partnership concerns, please send an email to ahonfoundation@gmail.com or call (02) 518-0021.)

AHON spends the summer in Kiangan!

Wanted to volunteer for AHON but never had the time?

Always wondered how AHON transforms traditional libraries to child-friendly learning resource centers?

Now is your chance to join us!

http://www.trailadventours.com/philippine-mountains/ahon-1-book-project-kiangan

We are looking for voluntourists who will help us set up the library of Kiangan Central School, speak on behalf of the voluntourists, trek along the terraces, see the Utu Falls, encourage others to join us in our future library building and storytelling activities, and spread the word about the work we do. 

On May 17 -18, AHON Foundation, in partnership with Trail Adventours, will be conducting a voluntourism trip to  Kiangan Central School.

 Kindly visit http://www.trailadventours.com/philippine-mountains/ahon-1-book-project-kiangan for the itinerary and inclusions of the adventure fee. 

Laguna children get new libraries and books

Manila Bulletin version

How does an organization rewrite the future of over 3,500 public elementary students in just one day?

If you visit the schools of Kabubuhayan Elementary School, Taytay-Malaya Elementary School, Crisanto-Guysayko Elementary School, and Yukos Elementary School in Nagcarlan, Laguna, a year ago, you would not find any school library. There would only be four seemingly abandoned rooms filled with rusty chairs, piles of outdated reading and reference materials, and dirty walls.

ELEMENTARY school students from Laguna enjoy the books and materials provided by AHON Foundation.

Nonetheless, over a year of hard work by the parents, teachers, and other members of the community, they were able to turn these rooms into child-friendly learning resource centers which will now serve as their libraries.

They finally reaped the fruits of their labor when this January, the Acts of Hope for the Nation (AHON) Foundation distributed P2 million worth of new reference books in the four schools. Last January 22, these four newly refurbished libraries were opened to the students of Kabubuhayan Elementary School. The ceremony was attended by local government officials led by Mayor Nelson Usuna and Vice Mayor Lourdes Arcasetas; the principals of the beneficiary schools, Cresencia D. Coronado (Taytay-Malaya ES), Elisa M. Arban (CGMES), Ramona C. Basa (Kabubuhayan ES), and Dr. Gregoria Bueno-Gutierrez (Yukos ES), Hector O. Tagaysay, AHON Foundation chairman; Harvey Keh, AHON Foundation executive director; and Councilor Amie Malabag-Hernandez, an AHON Foundation volunteer and Kaya Natin! Movement Core Group member who initiated this project; the head of the Parents and Teachers Association; and barangay officials.

“Hindi lahat ng nilalapitan namin ay pumapayag na makipag-partner sa amin kung kaya’t kami’y nagpapasalamat sa inyo. Nagbibigay kami ng mga libro to level the playing field between public elementary students and those in the private schools at kahit high tech na kayo, dapat huwag masyado kasi sa libro talaga kayo matututo. Sabi nga ni Bill Gates, ‘Of course I will give my children computers but I will give them books first,’” said Tagaysay.

For their part, Kabubuhayan Elementary School principal Ramona Basa said, “This is a dream come true for all of us. Due to our limited resources, we never thought that we would be able to provide these kinds of wonderful books for our students but because of the generosity of AHON Foundation, we now have a library that can help our students become at par with the best students of our country. Maraming salamat sa AHON Foundation at kay Councilor Amie Malabag-Hernandez sa malaking biyaya na ibinigay niyo sa aming lahat. Hindi namin ito malilimutan.”

The government officials, who played a very important role in this project, were also given the chance to speak their mind. Hernandez was thankful to the people of Nagcarlan for believing in her programs and the work she does as a councilor. She and Arcasetas were the ones who helped AHON Foundation identify the partner schools and gather resources for the renovation of the libraries. Mayor Osuna commended the two for their effort, to make the project possible. He also mentioned that they will try their best to approach other private companies and foundations to also help improve the education system of their town.

With the new books nestled in their libraries, over 3,500 students will now have a better chance of attaining their goals and ambitions for a brighter future. They are no longer left with a tomorrow of scarce learning bounded by dilapidated and outdated reading resources but one that is full of limitless possibilities as they explore new horizons through the pages of the books that they will be reading. For these students and their teachers, this is certainly a great way to start the year.

(For your queries and partnership concerns, please send an email to ahonfoundation@gmail.com or call (02) 433-1440.)

AHON article featured on the Manila Bulletin last February 2, 2014. 

Despite controversies, legitimate NGOs continue to bring joy to Filipino children

Despite controversies, legitimate NGOs continue to bring joy to Filipino children

Scam. Fraud. Deception. With the very controversial pork barrel issue circulating in the news today, these are just some of the ideas that Filipinos have started to associate NGOs with.

It is sad that a lot of legitimate non-profit organizations, foundations and sincere advocates working in this sector are now experiencing a hard time getting the public’s trust, unlike before. One of these organizations is Acts of Hope for the Nation (AHON) Foundation, the corporate social responsibility arm of Filway Marketing Inc. AHON Foundation aims to raise the literacy rates in the Philippines by developing newly refurbished public elementary school libraries.

With 93 partner public elementary school libraries, and over 250,000 student beneficiaries, AHON does not stop with just bringing books and children together. It provides free training to the partner schools’ custodians about basic librarianship. And recently, it held a storytelling event in an advance celebration of International Literacy Day

“Literacy is much more than an educational priority – it is the ultimate investment in the future and the first step towards all the new forms of literacy required in the twenty-first century. We wish to see a century where every child is able to read and to use this skill to gain autonomy,” says Irina Bokova, UNESCO Director-General

Keeping this idealism in mind, AHON Foundation, in partnership with the UNESCO Club of UP Diliman, invited grade 3 students from Ponciano Bernardo Elementary School in the UP Bahay ng Alumni to enjoy an afternoon of learning and fun. Education advocates, friends from Kaya Natin! Movement for Good Governance & Ethical Leadership, and the Philippine Center for Mass Communication decided to share one Saturday afternoon to volunteer as storytellers, food distributors, registration head, game facilitators, and documenters. Tessa Atentar, the barangay captain of Barangay Kaunlaran, was also kind enough to support this event by providing transportation for the kids to and from the venue.

The program started with the kids introducing themselves, and was followed by stories adopted from the fables of Aesop entitled, "The Greedy Fox," and "The Frog and The Ox." The first story was told by Shy Castillo who, with the use of her exceptional storytelling skills, was able to capture the attention of all the kids and taught them the lesson of greed bringing nothing but trouble to a person. Despite his timid nature and him feeling the pressure caused by the previous storyteller, Kimo Cea, the second storyteller, succeeded in narrating the story seamlessly by just imitating how animated and enthusiastic the previous storyteller was.

After hearing the stories, the kids were asked to use their creativity to invent a story of their own by contributing three words per child. With a 15-minute time limit, the students were able to produce a story of a rabbit looking for her deer friend but ended up meeting an injured squirel and helped him get medication. The students’ vocabulary and grammar were also put to challenge during the second game in which each of them were given a letter. They were divided into two groups, each having their own mentors. The rule was to create three, four, and five letter words, and use them in different sentences. Few, sum, bike, tao, pawis and wagi were some of the words formed during this activity.

Before the kids went home, they munched on the boxes of sweet treats and claimed their free game coupons from the event’s major sponsors, J.Co Donuts & Coffee Philippines, and Timezone. School supplies from the Hero Channel, and the Andres Bonifacio Foundation were distributed to those who recalled the moral of the stories read earlier in that afternoon, and the names of their Ate’s and Kuya’s who were present.

“Sobrang saya po. Gusto ko nga pong bumalik dito eh,” replied by one of the participants when asked if she enjoyed the storytelling.

The volunteers, in return, were given the opportunity to voice out their reasons for joining this cause.

"It's a fulfilling experience knowing that you've widened the kids’ imagination through a simple story," said Cea, the most active AHON volunteer.

“With how political controversies are going, we really should cling to the hope that lies with the next generation. They are worth investing in because soon they'll be taking care of our nation. Seeing their enthusiasm to learn last Saturday made me optimistic. We need more of it especially in light of all the negativity in our political scene,” commented by Danise Macaraya, another AHON Foundation volunteer .

As Harvey Keh, the executive director of AHON Foundation, stated in one of AHON’s library inaugurations, “Maraming mga estudyanteng galing sa public school ang nag-e-excel sa mga colleges at universities.” He is convinced that capitalizing on the aspirations of the 90% of the Filipino children who are studying in the public schools is one of the best ways of alleviating poverty in the country.

A lot of Filipinos may still doubt the intentions of organizations like AHON Foundation, but with the help of groups and individuals who share the same dream with us of a better Philippines, we will continue our pursuit of using the culture of reading and books as a weapon to build more libraries and fight illiteracy. More importantly, help build dreamers of this nation.

---

For more information about AHON Foundation, you can visit us at http://facebook.com/ahonfoundation to see what you can contribute to the fulfilling of this dream or you can also contact us at (02) 433-1440 if you would like to be part of our dream of helping every Filipino child learn how to read.

Thank you very much to ABS-CBN News publishing our article on their blog!
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/blogs/opinions/01/31/14/despite-controversies-legitimate-ngos-continue-bring-joy-filipino-children

As a new school year opens, AHON strives to open more libraries

Published June 2, 2013


Letters can form words. Words can form sentences. Sentences can form paragraphs. Combined paragraphs can form stories. Every story has its values. And these values are important in molding one's being. But, how can the Filipino people obtain these values thatare meant to develop them?

To answer the question, what they need is to develop their reading skill. Parents do establish a culture of reading in their children at an early age. They teach their children at home and eventually send them to school for further guidance. As Harvey Keh, executive director of Acts for Hope of the Nation (AHON) Foundation said, learning how to read starts from flipping a page in a book. But how can Filipino children learn if there aren't enough books to read?

There are at least 40,000 public elementary schools all over the country, but not all of them has a library-a conducive place where they can read and learn. Or worse, there are no available books for the children to read at all. The government has allotted a budget for this, but it's not enough to sustain the need. However, there are existing organizations in the community which aim to fill in the needs of the schools to achieve better education.

AHON Foundation, a corporate foundation of Filway Marketing, Inc. is one of these organizations who aim to provide a better education to young Filipinos. It believes that young people are the hope of this nation so it aims to mold their young minds by filling it with values and principles that will help in their development. This is made possible through book donations to fill in the empty shelves of school libraries, and ensuring that students are able to utilize it.

At present, AHON has opened 70 public school libraries all over the country that benefit over 100,000 students. To continue their advocacy, they aim to open 20 more libraries this year. AHON identifies their beneficiaries through a series of ocular inspections of schools endorsed by the Department of Education (DepEd).

Schools who submit their application forms after the first ocular inspection commit to a one-month challenge to improve their existing library. This challenge is designed for them to prepare, refurnish, and improve their libraries to a more child-friendly place of learning. It also seeks to develop a sense of responsibility among school teachers and staff, the community, and the students to maintain the order of the library.

The number of people working in AHON is not large as in other organizations. But it does not hinder them from reaching public elementary schools. With the help of volunteers and donors, they are able to provide deserving schools with books.

AHON is continuously looking for potential beneficiary schools, as well as willing individuals and institutions that may help them through donations.

If letters form words, words form sentence, sentences form paragraph, paragraphs form stories, and stories with values and principles; then an advocacy can lead to a decision to support, a decision can lead to action, and this action can lead to the fulfillment of a dream. In this case, it is a dream to enrich the minds of young Filipinos.

If a book bearing the values, principles, and knowledge that will help develop not only the individual but also the country is the dream of every Filipino child, isn't the ability to give and be part of the fulfillment of this dream a privilege? Decide, act, take part, and together, let's fulfill this dream of the Filipino children.

For inquiries and donations, you can contact AHON Foundation at (02) 433-1440 or visit AHON Facebook page, www.facebook.com/ahonfoundation.

BY: Issa Paulmanal

(The author is a senior Development Communications student at the University of the Philippines-Los Banos.)

Christmas gifts for the children of CamSur

Manila Bulletin Version

Christmas came a little bit earlier – and a whole lot brighter – for the children of Camarines Sur as Acts of Hope for the Nation Foundation (AHON) and Philippine Toy Library (PTL) opened libraries of books and toys in selected communities and schools across the province.

AHON Foundation inaugurated its 87th, 88th, and 89th partner libraries last Dec. 12. The three beneficiary schools Ocampo Central School, Grandview Elementary School, and Union Elementary School, represented by their principals, gathered at the OCS Pavilion to open their newly refurbished libraries to their pupils. The ceremony was attended by the AHON Foundation chairman Hector O. Tagaysay, Camarines Sur Rep. Leni Gerona Robredo, Public Schools district supervisor Lowel Bisenio, as well as the teachers and parents.

“Mapalad tayo na mayroong AHON Foundation na tumutulong sa atin na pagyamanin ang kaisipan ng mga batang Bicolano kung kaya gamitin natin ang mga librong ibibigay nila. Ayos lang na masira ang mga ito basta nasira sa sobrang paggamit,” Congresswoman Robredo told the students.

Tagaysay pointed out that the books given to them are the ones which are used in top educational institutions in the country such as the Ateneo de Manila University, St. Scholastica’s College, Miriam College, and Xavier School. These reading materials will help them explore new places by looking at its pages.

Our utmost gratitude to Manila bulletin for publishing one of our articles!

Voluntourism For Education

A recognized United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization heritage site, the Banaue Rice Terraces is truly a reflection of the Philippine’s culture and prehistoric means of living. Up to this day, people residing near this man-made wonder depend on tourism as their main source of income.

In an effort to promote education by capitalizing on the richness of our country’s wonders such as this, Acts of Hope for the Nation (AHON) Foundation, in partnership with Trail Adventours, organized a voluntourism trip to Banaue, Ifugao.

Last October 26, 18 “voluntourists” from different walks of life travelled for almost 12 hours to join the AHON Banaue Trip. With more than 10 boxes of combined new and donated books, the participants worked together in setting up the newly refurbished library of  Banaue Central School. The book set up was followed by an inauguration attended by the community stakeholders including the school administrators, parents, teachers, the Department of Education District Supervisor, and the voluntourists wherein each was given the opportunity to speak. Mrs. Rosemarie Gulgulway, the principal, expressed her gladness in grabbing the opportunity to be a partner school. She was proud that she and the PTA did their best in improving their library.

READING AS A STEPPING STONE TO GROWTH

Jasmine Frolick, a Canadian citizen, gave the word on behalf of the voluntourists. She said she was a considered illiterate when she was young and her teacher told her that she would not be able to read, which is in contrary to what she is now. She was able to in graduate from college, has a master’s degree, and is now travelling the world.

Joseph Reyes, the Senior Trail Adventours Guide, also shared that when he was young, he read books because they enriched his imagination and helped him travel to different places. He advised the students to always go to the library so they can do the same.

The AHON Program Officer, Katrin Caling, pointed out in her speech that it is important for the students to use the books as much as they possible for them to not only learn, not only travel to places, but to discover more about themselves as well. Some of them might not be good in academics but with the help of the books, hopefully, they can start to assess their strengths and consider other fields that might be of their interest.

THE TRIP

After the inauguration, a sumptuous lunch of rice freshly harvested from the community’s rice terraces, chicken, and vegetables was served to the whole team. The group then spent the afternoon walking along the famous Banaue Rice Terraces and travelled to Batad to stay there for the night. The following morning, they trekked for more than half an hour to get to a spot known for its ice-cold water, the Tappiyah Falls. The remaining of the day was allotted for the rice wine and demos, and a trip to the local area.

The 17 hour drive was indeed worth it after the students start reading the books aloud to the voluntourists, and knowing that from that day, the 885 students of Banaue Central School will be excited to visit their resource centre more often.

LIBRARY BUILDING – NATION BUILDING

AHON Foundation, the corporate citizenship arm of Filway Marketing, Inc. has been donating half a million pesos worth of brand new and high quality Time Life Books to public elementary schools since 2006. This is with the hope of raising the literacy rates in the country and tapping the potential of the 90% of Filipino children in the country studying public schools. Today, AHON has 86 partner schools, with more than 220, 000 student beneficiaries, and 40 trained librarians. This year, AHON aims to inaugurate 6 more libraries.

To apply as a partner school, to donate or sponsor a library, and to partner with AHON, visit www.ahonfoundation.org.

Like us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ahonfoundation) for up-to-date news on our projects.
For more information call (+632) 4331440 or email ahonfoundation.mktg.rm@gmail.com.

Celebrate. Liberate. Accelerate.

“Ang saya po! Gusto ko nga pong bumalik dito eh,” replied by one of the Grade III students from P. Bernardo Elementary School when asked if she enjoyed the event.

Last Saturday, September 7, 2013, Acts of Hope for the Nation (AHON) Foundation and the University of the Philippines UNESCO Club, in partnership with J. Co & Timezone, celebrated the International Literacy Day in Bahay ng Alumni, UP Diliman.

In coordination with Ms. Linaflor Cabildo, the principal of P. Bernardo Elementary School in Quezon City, more than 30 kids were able to celebrate with us. Ms. Tessa Atentar, the Barangay Captain of Barangay Kaunlaran, was kind enough to help us with the transportation and bringing the kids to the venue. The program started by the introduction of the kids and the facilitator. 

The first story was read by a friend from Kaya Natin! Movement for Good Governance & Ethical Leadership, Shylynne Castillo.

The first story was followed by a game and another story read by one of the AHON Volunteers, Kimo Cea. 

Before the day ended, donations from our friends, the Hero Channel thru Ms. DJ Hernandez, & (Andres Bonifacio Foundation) Ms. Amor Distrito & Atty. Gary Bonifacio, were distributed by the President of the Philippine Center for Mass Communication, Mr. King Cortez, who also stayed to cover the event.

“Para kaming nagshopping,” said by one of the grade III students of Ponciano Bernardo Elementary School.  They all brought home bags, school supplies, and game coupons.

This event wouldn’t be successful without the help of our volunteers

• ·         Dax Macaraya
• ·         Mary Rose Patingco
• ·         Teacher Paz Soler
• ·         Laline Javier 
• ·         Sab Arcinue 
• ·         Joey Sta. Isabel 
• ·         Genica Bucao

who believe that there is still hope for this country, and that one way of achieving greatness is through literacy.

We hope that more Filipinos will recognize more the importance of reading and literacy in going forward in life mentally, financially, and socially.

“Literacy arouses hopes, not only in society as a whole but also in the individual who is striving for fulfilment, happiness and personal benefit by learning how to read and write. Literacy... means far more than learning how to read and write... The aim is to transmit... knowledge and promote social participation.”

- UNESCO Institute for Education, Hamburg, Germany

AHON Banaue: Trek. Swim. Inspire.

“Without new experiences, something inside of us sleeps. 
The sleeper must awaken.” 
-Frank Herbert

Be a Voluntourist! We are looking for people who are interested in travelling, trekking, and swimming while making a difference in other people's lives.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151596978406603&set=a.201048001602.141696.163478681602&type=1&theater

AHON Foundation, in partnership with Trail Adventours, will be going to Banaue on October 26 - October 27, 2013 to explore the beauty of the Banaue Rice Terraces, trek and swim in the ice-cold water of Tapiyah Falls, and go to Banaue Central School to help the students and teachers refurbish their library by painting its walls and shelves.

 Join us in taking small steps to help the Philippines produce more educated citizens.
Call us at 433-1440 to reserve your slot.

5th Basic Library Training

 “Google can bring you back 100, 000 answers, the librarian can give you back the right one.” Neil Gaiman

In this world in which internet is accessible to almost everyone, it is very convenient for students to look up for the answers to their homework online. Only a small number of pupils actually go to the library and ask for their librarian’s assistance to study a particular lesson.

To help public elementary school students lessen their expense in renting computers, AHON Foundation helped librarians from its partner schools learn the fundamentals of learning resource centre management.

Last August 7 & 8, AHON Foundation, in partnership with the Ateneo de Manila University Rizal Library, conducted its 5^thBasic Librarianship. The training was led by Rizal Library’s Mrs. Susan Pador, under the management of Mrs. Lourdes David. A total of 21 custodians from AHON Foundation’s partner libraries in Quezon City, Manila, Caloocan, Mandaluyong, and Pangasinan attended the two-day training. Topics such as cataloguing, borrowing system, instruction program, proper care of books, leadership, and library management manuals were discussed in this event.

Also, AHON Foundation and the attendees are thankful to the event’s major sponsors, Jollibee Foundation for providing GCs for the food, and Manila Water for the drinking water in the duration of the whole event.   

We hope that thru this activity, we may inspire more children to read and learn towards a better nation.

Kudos and more power to the participants of this year’s Basic Librarianship Training!

Do You Want to Help AHON This Christmas?

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! So in the true spirit of giving and realizing the reason for the season, why not extend a helping hand?

This Christmas, if you want to give more, AHON Foundation gives you two news ways to do so.

PARTICIPATE IN OUR BOOK WISH LISHT CHALLENGE!

Complete our book wish list and we'll include your name on one of the libraries we will be developing in the year 2013. To register, contact AHON Foundation at (02) 433-1440. Or email ahonfoundation@gmail.com

GIVE THE GIFT OF HOPE THROUGH OUR AHON CHRISTMAS CARDS!

Alternatively, you can also say Merry Christmas with our AHON Christmas cards! Proceeds of the sales will go to buying story books for the AHON Libraries developed in 2013. Place your orders by calling 433-1440, or emailing ahonfoundation@gmail.com.

Visit www.ahonfoundation.org

http://www.filway.com.ph

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