BAGONG KULTURANG PINOY INC

Many organizations collect books for a foreign poor country in the hopes of improving their literacy skills. BKP (books for kids in the philippines) goes beyond just donating books that may just sit on a shelf in a locked closet. BKP along with other partner organizations such as Rotary International and Peace Corps have developed training manuals and hosted training sessions on how to use the books with their students. First the CLE (concentrated language experience) was introduced to teachers and librarians. In the past 15 years children's reading levels have improved. More challenging books have been requested. Now that children are enjoying books and decoding better a Thinking While Reading curriculum is being developed and implemented to improve their comprehension skills as well. Each year the libraries must submit reports which often include pictures and letters from not only the adults but children who benefit from the libraries. Having been a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Philippines years ago and have revisited there twice since, I know that schools there continue to have very large classes of maybe 60 children at a time and very few resources. Teachers are educated and dedicated to improving their students' lives but need support for materials. Books for their kids are most needed.