Book Packing!

Next book packing: Centre Congregational Church, 5 Summer St., Lynnfield, MA. Saturday, Feb. 5, 9:30-1. For more information or to RSVP, contact Marie Lagman, 781-334-5637.

Upcoming book packing dates:

• Feb. 5, 2011
• February 19, 2011 (note: school vacation week)
• March 5, 2011
• March 19, 2011
• April 2, 2011
• April 16, 2011 (note: school vacation week)
• May 7, 2011
• May 21, 2011
• June 4, 2011
• June 18, 2011

In other news, the newest library we are supporting, in conjunction with the Hope for Youth Foundation, is in the President Sergio Osmena High School in Manila. Four balikayan boxes arrived there the first week in January. (I sent you photos of them being delivered).

NU Barkada, Northeastern University's Filipino Student Organization, is hosting a concert to benefit BKP on Sat., Jan. 22 called Green Eggs and Jams: Lyrical Phrases to Turn Pages. This is open only to Northeastern Students.

BKP received almost $1400 from the PhilDev Christmas party, including our share of profits and individual donations.

Houghton Mifflin, the publisher, donated six boxes of brand new books. They were sorted at our book packing on Jan. 15.

Lea Sison visited our libraries in Baseco, Manila, Payatas and Cavite during December and January. We will gather to hear her reports and view pictures. Details to be announced.

Alice Quilicot, Executive Director of BKP-Philippines wrote re: a Concentrated Language Encounter Workshop:

"The recent workshop in Masbate last Nov. 19-20. The expected 150 participants went as high as 216 (more or less). I stayed during the first day with Czar, Cris, Gerry and Dave…Nory with Ms. Alice Eleazar (from Romblon then transferred to Palawan) came the next day to finish the workshop. This was sponsored by Open Heart Foundation. Czar will send more pics later. Representatives from the 4 municipalities of Ticau island (where Batuan is) were present. We catered to preschool, grades 1 & 2 teachers and principals from various schools from these 4 municipalities). Our host, Ms. Cornal (Dept. of Educ. Supervisor for Batuan) also let us meet the 3 other Dept. of Educ. Supervisors from the island of Ticau in Masbate. Ms. Cornal is an advocate for children and women’s rights. She said that the province was beset with al lot of cases of child labor, prostitution and various types of abuse). She is trying to put up a center for these poor kids as well. We hope we can help in our own small way. Thank you and God bless!"

- Alice