NEW BOOKS at the JZES library
The Padre Jacinto Zamora Elementary School (JZES) Library was officially inaugurated as it received P500,000 worth of books and CD-ROM materials from Acts Of Hope for the Nation (AHON) Foundation.
Dr. Priscila de Sagun, the new Manila division of city schools superintendent, expressed her support at the turnover ceremony. The event made JZES the 112th beneficiary all over the
(standing, right) Barangay Chair Boado, PTA president Nina Pajanostan, District 6 Councilor Christian Uy, Keh, librarian Rosalina de Loreto,Mojica, AHON’smarketing director and De Sagun
country of the foundation’s donation.
Read the books
Harvey Keh, the foundation’s director and cofounder, in his message at the turnover ceremony at the JZES covered grounds, exhorted the students to read the books.
He said he was saddened by the fact that donations did not seem to serve their purpose to let students and teachers use the books and CD-ROMs as
additional references for school lessons and activities.
The foundation, he said, was ready to replace worn-out copies with new ones upon request.
School principal Angelina Mojica asked community members—Parents-Teachers Association (PTA) officers, public and barangay officials—to help the cause, as the foundation enumerated conditions for the approval of donation.
For instance, tables and chairs should follow the standard size for school children and the room should have proper lighting and ventilation. Materials should have proper storage areas
STUDENTS relax as they enjoy their new books in the library’s reading nook, complete with amat and throw pillows donated by a former student.
accessible to pupils anytime.
Since there was very little money to meet the requirements, involved parties shouldered what they could. They recycled and refurbished old wood and painted the walls. Participants solicited donations and while some parents provided the labor for some of the work that needed to be done.
The foundation supported Mojica’s initiative to provide quality books and reading materials to public schools by equipping libraries with brand-new, high quality books similar to those used in private schools in the Philippines.
Mojica and Sagun stressed the important role reading played in the attainment of quality education and development of life-long learners.
The writer is a Master Teacher 1 at Jacinto Zamora Elementary School. She is the district Reading coordinator of Manila and adviser of the school paper “Zamora Scroll.”