the power of a notebook

Many months ago, I found the inspiration to find someone who would be interested in donating used notebooks and school supplies to my school.  The students (and teachers) here are barely given any resources and therefore have to pay for all materials they need inside their classrooms.  Already with many students coming from low-income families, it is difficult for families to prfioritize buying things such as notebooks and pencils over food which will feed their family for a week.

So upon observing this at my school and seeing how many students lacked these basic school supplies, I reached out to a previous teacher I had in high school and emailed her about the work I am doing as a Peace Corps Volunteer and asked if she would be interested in helping organize a used-notebook donation drive.  The response I got back was incredible, she emailed back saying she would be more than happy to help and spread the word around the school.  From the donation drive, we received TEN boxes of notebooks and school supplies! Over 500 notebooks, 800 pencils and other miscellaneous school items were donated to the students and library at my school.

The students who were able to receive the notebooks are a part of a program called 4P’s (Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program / Bridging Program for the Filipino Family).  Students whose families are 4P’s are poor families, with an average income of 12,000-20,000php (~$300-$400).  The goal of the 4P’s program is to reduce extreme hunger and poverty, achieve universal primary education, reduce child mortality, improve maternal health and promote gender equality and empowering women. As 4P’s students, their families receive cash assistance for their education and health (800php/month/child ~$16). There are a total of 200 4P’s students at my school who all received the materials.

Another group of students who got the materials are those who participate in our School Feeding Program.  These students are identified as malnourished, and by the end of the program should be at ideal nutritional status by the end of the program.  Many of these students come from poor families who are unable to afford nutritious foods for their children.  Through this program, our school also provides sessions on hygiene and proper grooming for the students and parents.

In America, oftentimes we don’t think about how items such as a notebook and pencil can have so much meaning.  There is power that can be found inside notebooks, the freedom to have a space to write or draw allowing you to call something your own. Being able to help give the power to these students and seeing the difference it can make in their lives was a really inspiring and meaningful part of my service.

I couldn’t have done this without all the help from my teacher and the students at BHS, Salamat Gid sa tanan!