The Launching of Janopol Elementary School Library

Last June 26, 2014 was the launching of the school library at Janopol Elementary School, Brgy. Janopol Occidental, Tanauan, Batangas. It is the 11th school library that Sambat Trust UK has set up in Tanauan. The launching was a star-studded affair because officials from the local government unit, the DepEd and the Sanguniang Barangay were there. Annie Pacana-Lumbao, guest author, gave a talk and a read aloud to students and a round table discussion with Janopol Elementary school teachers.

The principal of Janopol Elementary School, Madame Emma Punzalan, was thankful for the donations and support given by the local DepEd and the Sanguniang Barangay. There were no students present during the launch because they had classes. But, when the boxes of books were turned over to Principal Punzalan, Dr. Cecil Carandang Assistant Superintendent of Tanauan, DepEd, Brgy. Captain Albert Dalisay and Atty. Ferdinand Perez of the Mayor's Office were like little children who received gifts on Christmas day. It took the host of the program a few minutes to go back to the launching ceremony to continue. Each of the adults who opened the boxes of books took one book to browse and read.

When they had their chance to deliver a message, they all made mention of the beautiful books they laid their hands on. Atty Perez was impressed with the story of Ang Munting Patak Ulan. He said that such books are truly educational and entertaining. "Not only does it tell the story about a little raindrop's adventure, it also teaches young readers the subject of the water cycle." Brgy. Capt. Dalisay wanted to bring home a chapter book. How he wished that everyone in the barangay can visit the new school library in Janopol Elementary School! Now that is something to think about.

When Dr. Carandang delivered her message to teachers, PTA Officers and LGU Officials present that day, she was very proud to share the news that Tanauan schools topped the NAT in the district. She credits the school libraries set up by Sambat Trust as contributing factors to this achievement. "A library in the school provides information, additional knowledge and increased self confidence to students. The presence of books and libraries mean that we support student learning." She encouraged the teachers of Janopol Elementary School to use the library and make it a functional learning center.

After the ribbon cutting and morning snacks, Annie Pacana-Lumbao gave a read aloud of her first published book, And That Won't Wake Me Up! which her daughter, Anelka, co-wrote. The students were engaged and delighted at the interactive techniques of Ms. Pacana-Lumbao. Indeed, everyone can relate to the difficulty of waking up in the morning to go to school.

When Ms. Pacana-Lumbao finished her read aloud, she shared her experience of writing the book with her daughter and getting it published by Adarna House. The students would have wanted to stay on, but their teachers were waiting for their turn. During Ms. Pacana-Lumbao's round table discussion with them on reading, books and literacy development, the creation of student made books and teacher made resources came up. In light of the K-12 Curriculum, teachers are encouraged to be content creators too. The Tanaun DepEd leaders were quick to reply on the initiatives they have had in place for the development of reading materials especially those that prmote mother tongue base instruction. The teachers expressed that they are looking forward for more training sessions on teaching literacy.

Well, the work is cut out for Sambat Trust UK!

Sambat Trust Turns Three!

Thank you for your amazing support for the past 3 years!

Nearly 4,000 children now have access to books and a school library.

To celebrate our 3rd birthday, every new supporter who "likes" our Facebook page this September will be matched with a £1 donation- up to £500.

www.facebook.com/sambattrustuk

£1 puts a local children’s book in a library, so please Like. Share.

Thank you for making a difference to children’s lives in the Philippines.

Lots of love,
Sambat Trust

Reaching Out & Reaching In

In my last visit to Tanauan, Batangas for Sambat Trust's library project there, I had the chance to meet its scholars in Sambat Elementary School. There were around fifteen of them from the grade school level. I met them at the library that Sambat Trust had set up, one of the first libraries that grew in the community. Mrs. Delante, principal of Sambat Elementary School was so thankful of this donation to the learning community there.



When the scholars arrived, I asked them their favorite book. One girl replied, Sleeping Beauty. I could not help but fracture the tale from this well loved classic. Rousing herself to sleep, apparently the wicked witch died of a heart attack and the curse was broken, she fixed up her castle and freed the dragon in the dungeon. The prince came and proved himself worthy to stand as her equal by taming the dragon himself. The kids were amused. They waited for more so I rendered stories from my repertoire.

I realized my formal Tagalog is very rusty. Filipino that's spoken in Manila is a convoluted mix of English and Tagalog. Nevertheless, I knew the kids had fun from their authentic smiles and waves of goodbye. I came to Sambat to assess the status of the library and to continue its out reach activities there. I came back to Manila with the realization that there really is a reading problem in the country.

I ask myself where to begin.

Who is Sambat Trust?

For the past three months, I've been involved with school library development at Tanauan, Batangas through Sambat Trust, a UK based charity that supports literacy development and education. Below is a draft write up on the organization. It's growing and accomplishing great things in small but sure steps since the past three years!

Who is Sambat Trust?

The Pied Piper of Hamelin, a folk story, teaches implicitly the importance of keeping one’s word and fulfilling a promise. With a magic flute, the Pied Piper successfully rid the town of rats for a promised reward. Sadly, the town mayor failed to do so. As a result, the Pied Piper took away from the town, its most valuable resource – its children. Indeed, the town had been freed from pestilence but it lost its joy and its future.

Keeping one’s words is as precious as valuing children.

Sambat Trust UK, a charity devoted to support literacy and education, does both. It is true to its words and believes in upholding the basic right of children to proper education and access to schooling.

Reaching Out and Giving Back

Sambat Trust UK began scholarship programs for underprivileged children in Tanauan, Batangas in 2007. It has adopted thirty-six scholars, from grade school, high school and college levels in various barangays in the area. Its founder, Mr. Anthony Mariano believes that the cycle of poverty that permeates the way of life of his kababayans (countrymen) in Tanauan can be broken through education. By providing its scholars with books, school supplies and basic tuition fees, the Sambat Trust scholars could go to school. Thus, they are given the opportunity to develop skills necessary for living a full life.




As a second generation Tanaueno, Anthony Mariano would go home to the Philippines for vacations and holidays with his parents, Eligorio and Beatrize, who were former teachers. His parents have found work and have settled in London in the 70s but the Philippines remained in their hearts. Anthony recalled one experience related by his mum. This particular story made him eager to reach out and give back. His mum related that, in one particular holiday in Tanauan, she met children as young as six and seven years old working in the streets selling mats, rags and sampaguita. A couple of years after, returning for another holiday with relatives in Tanauan, his mum observed that the situation has not changed.

Finally, visiting Tanauan in 2007, Anthony had a first hand experience of the poverty that has been slowly eating the children and the youth of Tanauan away. He had the opportunity to visit government run schools in the district, particularly, Sambat Elementary School and neighboring barangays (villages). He got to see its library, met its principals and spoke with the mayor of Tanauan for possible charity work in the area. Undaunted, he gathered the help of friends and relatives, raised funds, asked for donations and set the gears in motion. In the same year, the Sambat Trust Scholarship Programme was born along with the Sambat Trust Library Project.



To date, Sambat Trust has built five functional libraries in five schools in Tanauan namely, Sambat Elementary School, Talaga Elementary School, Santor Elementary School, Banadero Elementary School and, its current library project, Wawa Elementary School. The stages and the progress of these school libraries are being monitored and supervised on a regular basis. Photos, articles and activities about the development of these school libraries may be read and viewed at Sambat Trust’s blog: http://sambattrust.blogspot.com/

A Glimpse of Joy

Joy Villaflor is a new scholar of Sambat Trust for school year 2010-2011. She is in fifth grade at Sambat Elementary School. She lives with her parents, Benjamin and Noralyn, and her three siblings, Zeus, Eyt and Adelene in a 20 sq. meter house made of wood and cement. Everything is inside that small space – living room, kitchen, bedroom and dining room. For water, they fetch from a well that they share with a neighbor. The government rural health unit provides the family with health care much like everyone else in the community.

Benjamin has no work at all since he has been sick for a while. Noralyn is a household help earning Php 2,000.00 per month. This meager salary goes to basic needs on food, clothing and provisions for shelter. Benjamin and Noralyn could only hope for a good education for their children.

Joy, their eldest, keeps their hope alive despite limited income and resources. She goes to school every day fueled with the same dream her parents have for her.

Step by Step

Setting up school libraries and funding scholars are but two of the basic strategies that Sambat Trust has put in place to achieve its mission. The future holds so many possibilities for its beneficiaries and foster children.

In the coming years, more literacy activities are envisioned to take shape in its adopted schools. Writing contests and reading recitals; book making projects and storytelling sessions are some examples. These are activities perfect for the schools with functional libraries. Parent support is essential too. A home-learning program for parents can help a lot in establishing a learning environment for children even before they go to school. The plausibility to conduct adult education sessions that will economically empower parents of scholars is a dream as well. Tutorial sessions for scholars are being considered too. It is not enough that they go to school. A follow through on the their academic and formative development is important for a holistic approach to learning.

Sambat Trust values children. And it will keep its word.