Filipino Librarians Volunteer as Storytellers

In this age of digital and social media, a good idea is often hatched online. Little did I know that a storytelling session with Leyte children at the Fabella center would inspire young Filipino Librarians to volunteer as storytellers in a session with Sambat Trust scholars. From a photo posted by Menniie Ruth Viray, CSA Makati school librarian, and my comment to an open call to volunteer as storytellers seven volunteers, librarians all, committed to meet and "greet" scholars of Sambat Trust last December 21, 2013.

To further germinate the idea and plans, Mennie set up an FB group where we can discuss and flesh out details of the session. After coordinating with the local field coordinator of Sambat Trust, Ate Wilma de Rojas, the plans were finalized and we soon found ourselves at Sambat Elementary School meeting the scholars.

With Darrel Marco, Ann Grace Bansig and Mennie Ruth Viray, leading the program, the scholars had fun playing games, doing origami and listening to stories told and shared by the librarian-storyteller volunteers. We had simple food for the scholars, bread and water, and we gave each one scholar a book. It was a simple celebration of Christmas!

In the following days, I will post write-ups of these seven young librarian storytellers. I asked them four questions that would help them focus as far as their storytelling journey is concerned. They are full of hope and idealism. This is enough to keep an old warrior like myself inspired to continue carrying the storytelling torch so that other librarians may follow this path.

Thank you to the school leadership of Sambat Elementary School, to Ate Wilma de Rojas and to Anthony Mariano for giving us this opportunity to touch lives!