In the mountains of Tubungan, Iloilo, a literacy advocate has created a small library for students passing by on their way home to school.
Beginning in August as a project by Dr. Ysabel Overio, the library became a home for donated books that students can borrow and return after reading. With a small but growing collection of children’s books for basic learning, the library has caught the interest of elementary school students who see the place as a resting and learning spot in their local community.
“To motivate them further, I started a simple activity: for every ‘big’ book they read and summarized, they’d receive a small gift. It’s a modest initiative, but I remain hopeful that, in time, it will nurture a genuine love for reading,” shared Doc Belle, as the kids call her, on a viral post on Facebook.
Doc Belle emphasized the importance of access and a little motivation to boost children’s interest and confidence in reading. And with the small yet continuous effort of encouraging the kids to read at their own pace, the community of readers grew and began taking part in gatherings and reading sessions.
The Tubungan library also began organizing its own slew of activities, aiming to stimulate community-wide development in education and other fields. One such example is Art Day for both kids and adults, which encourages participants to flex their creative muscles, and helps the united holistic development of families and their children.
For interested supporters of the initiative, Doc Belle encourages book donations that can help sustain the children’s learning. Book donations will be accepted through Thrive Art Gallery in Atria by Ayala, Mandurriao, Iloilo City.