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ABAKADA – a community library for children
Education
should be brought to the grassroots communities. Free education,
which has been neglected by the state in favor of commercialized
learning, can rise from the collective efforts of the people.
With
this note, the Center for People Empowerment in Governance (CenPEG),
in partnership with the urban poor alliance Kalipunan ng Damayang
Mahihirap (Kadamay) and Kalayag-BLJ Foundation, launched ABAKADA
or Aklatang Bata sa Komunidad (children’s community library)
last June 5, 2009, at Kadamay's national headquarters in Barangay
Holy Spirit, Quezon City.
The
library – Kadamay’s long-time project - was established
through the volunteerism of students from the University of the
Philippines (UP) in Manila who took their summer practicum in April-May
2009 with CenPEG.
A village-based library, the ABAKADA aims to establish community-based
libraries in urban poor communities throughout the country. Spearheaded
by CenPEG's Volunteer Integration Program (VIP) Batch 2009, book
donations and other library materials and supplies were collected
from families and friends.
The
library’s opening was also in honor of Carmen “Nanay
Mameng” Deunida, present emeritus chairperson of Kadamay.
The children’s library will also sponsor an alternative school
for urban poor children.
The library launch was attended by students, book donors, members
of Kadamay, and Holy Spirit residents. Among the guests and book
donors present in the launch were Nanay Leleng, current Kadamay
chair, National Artist and CenPEG Board Chair Dr. Bienvenido Lumbera,
Dr. Edgardo Clemente, Prof. Rosa Castillo, and Ms. Alice Quilicot,
founding director of the Bagong Kulturang Pinoy (BKP). School supplies
for the children in the community were also donated by the Kalayag-BLJ
Foundation through CenPEG Executive Director Evi-ta Jimenez.
The launch was highlighted by the ribbon-cutting and opening to
the public of the library, and the speech delivered by Kadamay's
leader, 81-year-old Nanay Mameng. Expressing her gratitude to the
book donors and people who made the establishment of the library
possible, she also expressed her disgust at government’s lack
of social services for the urban poor.
Another
highlight of the library launching was the awarding of certificates
of completion to the UP students.
Under
CenPEG’s VIP summer practicum program, the students underwent
education activities, guided policy study research, and community
immersion. Highlights of the activities included participating in
the 3-day Cordillera Day in Hungduan, Ifugao province; legislative
work in Congress such as hearings and impeachment proceedings; observing
bidding procedures at the Comelec; forums such as on the automated
election system; launching of the Makabayan coalition; integration
with workers and upland indigenous peoples as well as community
immersion in Quezon City. |
