Book For a Cause

by Armi Paz Pineda - 1:52 AM

WHAT IS BOOKS FOR A CAUSE?

Books For A Cause (BFAC) is an advocacy that aims to provide precious knowledge to every Filipino and increase literacy through continuous learning. This we do by helping less fortunate kids in the remote and depressed areas around the country to have books.

BFAC solicits brand new books and second hand story books, art/activity books, Bibles, Bible Stories, dictionaries, encyclopedias, reference books, science, mathematics, language and the like), school supplies, art materials, and even cd's/dvd's and other visual & audio materials, including toys that would help these kids.

HOW DID IT CAME ABOUT?

It was in March of 2011 when a teacher from Ramil Sumangil’s alma mater (Baloy Elementary School) requested him to give a short inspirational talk to the graduating class happening on the 1st of April that year. He accepted the invitation and asked family members what to bring as gifts to his school books which he will be visiting after 33 long years. They exclaimed “How about the set of encyclopedia and other reference books” which they no longer use due to the abundance of the modern technologies.

So he went on April 1, 2011. While a lot were trying to fool others on April fool’s day, there he was giving inspiration to the kids and giving out books to a school. The teachers were glad to have them for the kids, and requested more if there will be any, and to set up a possible school library. When he went back to Manila, he excitedly informed friends and relatives thru the social media of the need for used books for his alma mater. His message became viral and so Books For A Cause (BFAC) was born! Books poured in and continuously do so up to this date. And, the rest is history. To date, BFAC was able to help more than 150 schools, nationwide.

MUNTING AKLATAN

Sad to say, we are all aware that libraries enjoy a diminishing popularity among kids these days what with the presence of modern technology. Those who can afford can now access their favorite books online. Kids hardly see the value of real books because everything now is at the tip of their tiny fingers.

Ribbon Cutting Event

On the other hand, people are also not able to go to libraries because they are too busy attending to their livelihood. With this scenario comes the MuntingAklatan of Books For A Cause. BFAC is installing its first ever street library in Barangay Martires del 96 in Pateros. To be called MuntingAklatan No. 1, the library will be positioned in a tricycle terminal and will be open to public, especially to the tricycle drivers who can read the books while waiting for their passengers to come, instead of watching TV, or just chatting with co-drivers about no-non-sense topics.

It will be patterned after the Little Library that’s already set up in some parts of the United States of America, anyone who likes the idea can also put up another MuntingAklatan in their area in coordination with the BFAC founder, to be called MuntingAklatan No. 3, 4, 10, 100, and so on. We will duplicate Books For A Cause in different areas and let everyone be involved in our literacy advocacy.