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Leaving a Legacy in Gubat, Sorsogon

Posted on September 21, 2012 by journeyingjames 20 Comments
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PROUD YET HUMBLED

I took a last look at Rizal Elementary School Library as I went out of the school’s gate. I was overjoyed from the inside out, proud yet humbled for the opportunity given to me and other travel bloggers.

A DREAM COME TRUE

Three days ago, I was in tears as the kids cut the ribbon of the newly built and furnished library in Rizal Elementary School. I can’t believe that a small group of bloggers and friends can do such work after I blogged about Travel With A Purpose: Book Sharing Project 2 months ago . DepEd and the Alumni pitched in and what we saw that day was a dream come true- A Bayanihan Library, built not with lots of money or under the name of a particular politician, but with heart and soul.

BEFORE and AFTER

That Friday, September 14, we gathered together and started the day by reading some books to the kids inside their classrooms. Volunteers from the Book Sharing Project spent an hour teaching the students of Rizal Elementary School before we finally did the turn-over ceremony in the afternoon.

Volunteers for the Book Sharing Project

I bet everyone who joined the trip were happy and elated to be witnessing such a life-changing event. If you can only see the kids running towards the library’s wooden windows and take a peek of what’s inside you would find yourself teary-eyed too. They were happy and all cheers! They were excited to finally take a hand of the new books inside their library. Mind you, the school has been there for more than 50 years and this is the first time they will be having a school library.

Kids running towards the library (blurry photo, originally from a video)

Because most from the group are travel bloggers, we opted to make the walls of the library filled with photos from all-over the Philippines. This would also serve as a learning aid for visual-learners.

Photo Wall, showcasing the best of the Philippines

One was interviewed and told that she can now do research easier with the help of more than one book reference. The school principal, Sir Aldrin Estipona, was full of gratitude as he coordinated the turn-over ceremony together with our partner, Emelyn Balabat, an Alumna trying to give back to her alma mater. She even recounts her experience during college when she first stepped inside a library.

BOOK SHARING TEAM

We were exactly 37 in the group all came from a 13-hour bus ride from Manila. Diksyonaryo Atpb. led by Lia del Castillo partnered with the group  as they celebrate the Literacy Month of Spetember. Travelers from Pinoy Travel Bloggers and some of their readers came too. In the afternoon, a crew from TV 5 came to cover the event.

Volunteers with the principal, Sir Aldrin

 

TV5 FEATURE

You can watch the feature made by Camille Abadicio of TV5 below:

ONE OF MY HIGHLIGHTS AS A TRAVEL BLOGGER

Personally, it was a memorable experience in my career as a full-time travel blogger. Never did I think that I will come this far. I was thanking God for the opportunity of inviting others while inspiring the youth. Working with these passionate individuals is one of the highlights of my year. One even said, “Marami na akong nagawang mali sa buhay ko; ngayon naman kahit minsan gumawa ako ng tama.” (I have done a lot of stupid things in my life; today I want a redemption, to do something right for a change). At least five in the group are celebrating their birthdays during the week. They chose to give back instead of doing the usual birthday party in an over-priced restaurant in Manila.

POSITIVITY

This happening in the Philippine travel scene right now, I’m hopeful and positive that travelers will change the world, one community at a time. This might be a small success, but the seeds that we planted that day at Rizal Elementary School in Gubat, Sorsogon will be forever in the hearts of more than 300 students of the school. I just imagine 1% from then paying it forward, then Gubat will be a better place in the future right?

Students from Rizal Elementary School and Bongsaran Elementary School during the Turn-Over Program

As for me, I guess I would do this kind of travel more often- VOLUNTOURISM. Don’t worry, I would let you know of ways how you can join. I thank everyone who supported the Book Sharing Project. I always believe that travelers has changed and will continue to change the world. Here’s to more projects in the future, cheers!

Some travel bloggers present during the event

 

To Rizal Elementary School, I rejoice with you! I hope and pray that you would maximize the use of the library. I hope you enjoyed our gift.

To all my readers and friends, Rejoice with me. Let’s inspire the youth and make history.

Ending this post with a quote from Garrison Keillor, “A book is a gift you can open again and again.”

___ ___ ___

You can also read what other bloggers say about the event last Sepetember 13-17:

Claire’s The Library Born from the Love of Travelers and Community

Christine’s Book Sharing Project Update

Leon’s The Sorsogon Book Sharing Project: Changing Lives, One Page at a Time

Marky’s The Kid’s of Gubat, Sorsogon Decides to Read

Emm’s The Great Bayanihan Project- A dream come true!

Thanks again friends, followers, fellow bloggers, Diksyonaryo atbp, TV 5, R.O.X. and Runner’s Circle.

Related Posts with Thumbnails
This entry was posted in Featured Posts, Luzon, Philippines and tagged Book Sharing Project Gubat Sorsogon, Leaving a Legacy in Gubat Sorsogon. Bookmark the permalink.

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20 thoughts on “Leaving a Legacy in Gubat, Sorsogon”

  1. Kaiye Pallarco said:
    Reply
    September 21, 2012 at 8:03 am

    Good jobs James!

    Maraming bata ang napasaya at natulungan nyo sa project na ito!

    Makasama na sana ako next time! 😉

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      September 25, 2012 at 7:31 am

      yes, sana nga makasama kana next time.

  2. Lia Del Castillo said:
    Reply
    September 21, 2012 at 9:40 am

    I’m so proud of you for this! Let’s do this more often. We must aim at transforming travel from leisure to changing lives, one at a time. 😊

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      September 25, 2012 at 7:22 am

      why not? more voluntourism projects!

  3. Claire said:
    Reply
    September 21, 2012 at 12:27 pm

    Congratulations, James! You guys were amazing! And I feel honored to have witnessed the fruit of all your hard work. =)

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      September 25, 2012 at 6:50 am

      thanks for coming and blogging about the project 🙂

  4. Janeca said:
    Reply
    September 21, 2012 at 7:16 pm

    Thank you again for letting us at Diksyonaryo Atbp be part of this project! There’s still so much to be done, so many places to visit, so many children to meet and help. This project is a great start, and as long as we each do our part, I’m sure we can do more. With people like you and like everyone who volunteered and donated their time, effort, and resources for this project, I have absolutely no doubt that we can start a change. Kudos to everyone! 🙂

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      September 25, 2012 at 4:07 am

      thanks Nek and DA for joining this project. hope there will be more collabs in the future

  5. Marky said:
    Reply
    September 24, 2012 at 1:15 am

    Good job James for leading the charge for us PTB people. Will definitely join the next one.

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      September 25, 2012 at 2:52 am

      thanks for getting on board pre! here’s to more projects!

  6. rachel said:
    Reply
    September 24, 2012 at 1:34 am

    GOOD job WELL done James 🙂

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      September 25, 2012 at 2:45 am

      its not me, its the readers and followers of the blog

  7. Wends of Journeys and Travels said:
    Reply
    September 24, 2012 at 1:35 am

    Seeing you all in this laudable project for the kids in Sorsogon will reap a thousand fold and their future relies heavily on your selfless devotion to their future and your great contribution to the furtherance of sustained educational opportunities and for securing a favorable future.

    These pupils will forever remember this day you all came to Sorsogon and that, they will forever be indebted to your kindness.

    Kudos to those of you who went out of your way to be here. 🙂

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      September 25, 2012 at 2:45 am

      i hope you get on board bosing on the next project come 2013. 🙂

  8. Arisse said:
    Reply
    September 25, 2012 at 1:43 pm

    thanks po sa opportunity:)
    Looking forward for more life changing projects:)

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      October 2, 2012 at 11:33 am

      see you again on the next project arisse!

  9. julai said:
    Reply
    September 27, 2012 at 9:57 pm

    Job well done James! I rejoice with you and with the school! I hope and pray that you´ll have more projects like this in the future and hope to be of help no matter how small, too. And hope that I can join you and the others in a future project once I go home.:) God bless and more power.

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      October 2, 2012 at 11:21 am

      thanks julai! i really hope we can find the next worthy beneficiary next year

  10. Redh said:
    Reply
    November 16, 2012 at 1:36 am

    Hi James, galing naman! Sana makasama ako 1 time sa ganyang activity.

    • journeyingjames said:
      Reply
      November 22, 2012 at 7:34 am

      thanks Red! just keep posted on the blog. i have something like this by december

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