Friday, August 2, 2013

A GlobalGiving Visit

By Gigo Alampay - Executive Director, CANVAS




Just a few weeks ago, we had the privilege of hosting two GlobalGiving representatives - Sandra Dickison and Ana Calvo Langdon - who flew in to meet with various partners from the Philippines.

The timing was fortuituous, as we were scheduled to give away more than 600 books to a public school in the rural town of San Antonio some 4 hours north of Manila. In San Antonio, we partnered with Casa San Miguel, a non-profit artists' haven that also trains children in the local community in music and the arts.

Meanwhile, more books were also given away through Rock-Ed, a volunteer group working to provide venues and events for alternative education in the Philippines in another public school in the cool city of Baguio.

As we've said in our past report, In the coming weeks and months, we are now pursuing a dream, however difficult and improbable, of giving away one million books in the next five to ten years. We do hope that you will continue to support and join us in this pursuit.

Again from the bottom of our hearts, thank you to all of you for making it possible for us to continue getting our books into the hands of Filipino children in disadvantaged communities throughout the country!

To donate, please click Give Books to 3000 Children in the Philippines. Moderator's note: GlobalGiving & CANVAS are separate entities from Spring of Marah Library [SOML]. From time to time we share articles that are similar to and consonant to our aims of literacy & making books available; especially to children. The link to the donation and the donation themselves does not financially benefit SOML or anyone connected to SOML directly or indirectly.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Keep them coming



Our most sincere thanks to Bro. Rich Storto of El Jaala Grotto, MOVPERS, for his generous donation of 11 boxes of books for the Spring of Marah Library.

Thank you brother....


To all those who like to donate books for the library, you may bring them to the following address:

c/o Mrs. Eleanor Gange
1785 Jo Ann Lane, Addison, IL 60101
630-932-9385 (landline)
630-709-1049 (cell)

Thank you,

Rolly Gange

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

SOM: The Beginnings

                  THE SPRING OF MARAH MISSION (SOM)
I. THE PURPOSE OF THE SOM:
Guimaras is an island group comprising of five municipalities; Jordan (its capital), 
Buenavista, Nueva Valencia, San Lorenzo, and Sibunag. The main livelihood are
fishing and farming. With the exception of a few controlled and more affluent aquaculture,
the fishing industry is just for daily survival, and unable to raise the standard of living
to a comfortable level. The agriculture on the same level consist of coconuts, mangoes, 
and rice are of the upland type, unirrigated and dependent on the availability of rainfall. 
Drought is common. Life is hard and laborious and low yielding. 

The school system consists mainly of Primary and Elementary Schools located in 
each of the more than 100 barangays (barrios), a few high schools, and one industrial 
college, a mango institute, and a school in aqua-culture as an adjunct of the University 
of the Philippines.

Guimaras' population is approximately 150,000 as of the census of 2000; But not a 
single public library as a means of information and to enhance literacy. 

SOM aims to provide in a limited way a bridge across this chasm of ignorance in the 
places where it could reach as far as its resources shall permit.
II. BOUNDARIES OF ENGAGEMENT OF THE SOM:
The SOM's operation shall be in the Barangay of Liningwan, Municipality of Sibunag 
(and its included island group). The main beneficiary are the students of the only
Public High School in the municipality, the "Desiderio C. Gange High School", named
after the province's first Vice-Lieutenant Governor and the donor of the lot where the
school now stands. This high school has a student population of approximately 900 
students. The other main beneficiary are the students of a primary to elementary school,
Grades 1 through 6, with a combined population of approximately 600 students. The
services of the SOM may be extended to the entire student population of Sibunag 
from primary to college. The literacy objective of the SOM will be extended further to the
entire population of the Municipality.


III. SCOPES OF ENGAGEMENT:
A. LITERACY OBJECTIVE:
1. The All-Purpose Library and Reading Center: 

A two hectare (6 acres) land is already allocated and available. The ground-breaking
for a two-classroom size building was on January 5, 2010. Over 3,000 volumes of
multi-discipline books are already warehoused in Sibunag. We hope that we can begin
serving the student when classes begin in June of 2010.
2. The Tutorial program: 

This will be a continuous program to assist those who have difficulty in reading
comprehension, and other reading disabilities. This task will be performed by needy
local high-achieving high school and college students in return for limited incentive
scholarships, such as school fees, books, uniforms, etc.
3. Primary Books Gift Program: 

This program aims to provide the students in the First and Second grades 
with a reading book suitable for their grade level. These books shall be provided free 
as a gift for each student, and hopes to inspire them to love reading.
B. HEALTH AND LIVELIHOOD CENTER:
1. The Health Center: 

The SOM will provide a venue for medical service for non-trauma cases, such as 
band-aid cases, first-aid, and non-serious maladies. In some instances, it shall welcome 
transient mission medical workers, provide the space, assist in calling and gathering those
needing medical attention.
2. Livelihood Center:

The SOM shall serve as the venue to provide information about planting methods,
disease control, soil care, improved specie, etc. The SOM will also provide job 
availability information should occasions arise.
C. YOUTH AND RECREATION CENTER: (Later). Since this scope requires more space
and budget, there is no plan of engagement have been formulated.
IV. TESTIMONIAL HISTORY: (LITERACY FOCUS)
When I was growing up in Guimaras, I can remember very clearly that there 
were only three reading materials in the house; the Philippines Free Press which informed
us (though vaguely) about the events in government, the Reader's Digest which quietly
helped in forming our world view, and the Holy Bible as the basis of our faith and 
informed of our moral responsibility. Comic books were taboo, and besides there was not 
much reading materials to be obtained during those days, especially in the rural areas.

I began my first grade of school with only one little primer handbook which I 
memorized in a little more than a month. Later on it was just used by my parents to show
me off as being smart, but my thirst for reading increased. From then on, I read every 
printed material I can get hold of. In the later part of elementary school, I was 
transferred to a bigger school in the city, but the library books were all kept in locked 
glass cabinets and we did not even bother to ask for them because no one taught us how,
and besides, we thought they were heirlooms as they were kept like precious items only
to be looked upon.

  
I got my break in high school because of a very understanding librarian, who
perhaps got tired of my constantly bothering her for a book from the locked cabinets,
as she would rise from her comfortable chair and went to the cabinet, opened it with her
key, and gave me the book after recording it back at her table. Later on, she would just
place the key on a receptacle in front of her desk and told me that whenever I need a book
I knew what it was, I was just to pick up the key, open the cabinet myself, and return it;
or I could bring it home if I wanted to but just to return it when I was finished. I clearly
remember the first series of books that I read was that of Zane Grey, with "The Thundering
Herd," as the first one I read. To make a very long story short, I love to read and reading  
gave me great pleasure as I travelled with my imagination to places I like to go someday.

  
I do not believe that not being able to read is the main problem or even the issue.
The people in the community can read very well. The problem is the lack of worthwhile
reading materials. When one is able to and there is nothing to read, the mind can get rusty,
and just like any part of the body that has no exercise, sooner or later it becomes
atrophied, and the ability of reciprocal communication is impaired. 

The reading center, will provide a limited remedy to this disconnect, and somehow 
help to alleviate the problem and help in the person's productivity, enhance their lives,
make better decisions, and participate more and partake in the civic responsibility.
V. BIBLICAL RATIONALE OF SOM:
EXODUS 15: 22-25 (The Old Testament)
Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and went into the Desert of Shur. For three days
they travelled in the desert without finding water. When they came to Marah, they could
not drink its water because it was bitter. So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, 
"What are we to drink?"
Then Moses cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a piece of wood. He threw
it into the water, and the water became sweet.
The model for this activity is informed by the story of the journey of the Children of 
Israel when they were liberated by Moses from their indentured lives in Egypt. On this
journey, hard and difficult it might have been, but from time to time the God of Israel did 
not abandon them. God always intervened when situations went out of hand and the 
ability of Moses to control them. The people always got some reprieve and rest so that
they might continue on their journey to the Promised Land. In one of these occasions the 
Israelites came to the Spring Of Marah, but they could not drink the water there because 
it was bitter and not fit to drink; but God's intervention made the water sweet and fit for 
drinking.

Most of the inhabitants of the engagement area of the SOM are poor. When one is 
poor, the ability to engage in the bigger aspect of community life is also limited, the
information they receive is also limited, their education is little, and as such their ability to 
digest the educational nutrients is insufficient. In a sense, in their life's journey, they have
to drink from the spring of bitterness. The SOM aims to sweeten their experience, if only 
in a limited way, so that they may proceed on their journey, and enable them to be not 
only consumers, but in hope will become co-producers for the common good.
II CORINTHIANS 8:13-15 (The New Testament)
Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there 
might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that 
in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, as it is 
written: "He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did 
not have too little."
The preceding was an exhortation of the Apostle Paul to the affluent Jewish Churches
at Corinth and Macedonia to give generously to the Christian Church at Jerusalem which 
was hard pressed and in need of much help in ministering to its constituents. Historical 
events have indicated that during those times, Jerusalem was at the cross-roads of many
warring civilizations and therefore suffered from the in-flux of refugees. It was more likely 
that the congregation at Jerusalem were mostly poor refugees who needed much help.
They were the unwilling participants in the greater conflict between superpowers, and
have to drink from the cup of life's bitterness.
The SOM makes this appeal, especially to the Filipino expatriates, to assist in its work
for the release from the ruthless hands of ignorance, those who will be affected much by
the works of the SOM, to enable them to coexist with others in dignity, and participate as 
equal owners of God's blessings, and hence enable them to not only pray for themselves 
but also to pray for others in joy and gratitude.
II CORINTHIANS 9:10-11 (The New Testament)
Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase 
your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. You will be made 
rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your 
generosity will result in thanksgiving to God,
The recipients of the goodness of the "Partners & Enablers, (see Sec. VIII), may not be
able to reciprocate directly or even in kind. The P & E, because in them were planted the
seeds of righteousness, do this, because it is the right thing to do, against which there is 
no law. The ministry of the SOM is a concept of thanksgiving to what Ely & I have become, 
not great persons of stature, but in our lives, we have not experienced deprivation or  
hunger but enough to be able to see, how fortunate we are. There is planted in us the 
attitude of gratitude, a good feeling which we like…and in prayer shares this feeling…and  
hoping, this attitude.
As implied in the preceding exhortation of Paul, there is an exceedingly abundant
source of righteousness and this good feeling in our Good God, that there is much more
than enough of it to go around and beyond. And it is a delight to the Heart of God. It is an
encouragement and offers comfort for those who are hopeful, and an inspiration to the 
laborers in God's Vineyard.
VI. THE FUTURE OF SOM: (LATER)
As the story of the event at the Spring of Marah depicts the temporariness of the
situation, to strengthen the discouraged and hungry Israelites, and be encouraged for the 
more challenging journey ahead for the next forty years, the SOM shall aim to provide 
vision, hope and encouragement for the tougher and real challenges of life. 
It is hoped that the future of the SOM shall be in the capable hands of those whom she
have nurtured who in turn will steer her into the intricacies and sophistication of the future,
in matters of technology and contextual methodologies. Which means that SOM will
be self-supporting and self propagating or her ideals to those whose life she touches.
VII. MISSION PARTNERS & ENABLERS:
The SOM relies solely for its ministry on the prayers and generosity of charitable 
minded persons and organizations. These individuals and organizations are listed as 
follows:

1
Abas, Elizabeth
2
WB Abrigo, Napoleon & Susan
3
WB Alban, Dennis & Gody
4
WB Alcantara, Jim & Toni
5
WB Alhambra Carmelito
6
Bro. Almoradie, Dutch & Elenita
7
WB Aragon, Roger
8
Association of Filipino Freemason in Illinois, Inc. (AFFI)
9
Banguit, Artemio
10
Bro. Bannapradist, Hon & Bee
11
Bro. Bannapradist, Nick
12
Bro. Barquez, Mark & Yoly
13
Bro. Basco, Ernie & Connie
14
Batiller, Josefina & Jose
15
WB Bautista, Jojo
16
Bayan, Marvee
17
WB Blackburn, Chris
18
WB Brown, Bill & Dorothy
19
RWB Cabrera, Vince & Maria
20
Bro. Cadiz, Jay & Goring
21
Bro. Cadiz, Tony & Rebecca
22
Callejo, Nancy
23
WB Catequista, Kiks (Philippines)
24
Bro. Cochon, Poncing
25
Bro. Cuevo, Chris & Imelda
26
Bro. Davis, Concelor & Rasa
27
Debuque, Gabriel & Ligaya (Dauphin, Manitoba, Canada)
28
de Guzman, Joel & Nida
29
IB Derupe, Erlindo
30
Diomampo, Ethel & Clod
31
Distajo, Ric & Rose
32
Domalina, Zaldy (Philippines)
33
Bro. Erandio, Dado
34
Bro. Escalante, Aldin & Annie
35
Bro. Espiritu, Rhay & Karla
36
Gange, Christine Faith (Philippines)
37
Gange, David 
38
Gange, Desiderio II (Philippines)
39
Gange, George (San Jose, California)
40
Gange, Wilmer & Ane
41
Gavilan, Derrick & Yumi
42
Bro. Gazmen, Bert & Lourdes
43
Gonzales, Fil & Auring
44
Gonzales, Lawrence & Charlene
45
Guevarra Agnes & Family
46
RWB Graff, Howard & Luisita
47
Gumban, Julie
48
Gumban, Lamberto
49
Bro. Hall, Charles
50
RWB Hernal, Gary & Jean
51
WB Jacobsen, John
52
Janicki, Rich & Aileen
53
WB Lacuesta, Rudy & Evelyn
54
Liebman, Gale
55
Lumbuan, Chit
56
Bro. Maas, Joseph & Samantha
57
WB Magnan, John
58
RWB Magsino, Frederick & Rose
59
Manners, Gere
60
Manners, Keith & Aimee
61
Bro. Mante, Ed & Linda
62
McCord, Joe
63
WB Mendoza, Ben & Linda
64
EC Mesa, Gonzalo
65
Bro. Michiels, Marty
66
Bro. Michiels, Roy
67
Molitas, Sam & Winnie
68
WB Musni, Jerome
69
Bro. Musni, Reiner
70
Bro. Natividad, Willy & Babes
71
Northwest Lodge No. 271
72
WB Oliveros, Henry & Lita
73
Bro. Paclibare, Toy & Lina
74
Panganiban, Marlo & Tess
75
Pedrosa, Corazon
76
Perlas, Ike & Gilda
77
Ravenswood Lodge No. 777
78
Rea, Janet
79
Bro. Sanchez, Chris
80
Sapnu Family
81
Schieberly, Laura & Jerry
82
WB Shaffer, Rich
83
Shauf, Carol & Family
84
Simone, Cynthia
85
Suarez, Bob & Joliet
86
MWB Sullins, Charles & Jo
87
WB Sumulong, Jim & Ofelia
88
Vergara, Audie & Rina
89
Viray, Tony & Gene
90
WB Zamora, Nestor & Catalina