“Alimbukad: Basa Pamilya” a Family Literacy Project

Educational Excellence through Parental Engagement
July 16, 2013

The project, called “Alimbukad: Basa Pamilya,” is a series of twelve weekly workshops conceived by Zonta Club of Cebu II for the benefit of underprivileged families with pre-school children in target barangays in an effort to boost the literacy rate in these communities.

It is mainly empowering parents to become reading and learning advocates by developing their reading and tutoring skills for them to take leadership in their children’s studies.

This undertaking would not have come into fruition without the efforts of Zn. Wi Suan Tiu and the support of Cebu City Librarian Ruth Chua, who has always welcomed the opportunity for our Club and the City Library to work together on several projects.

This activity was attended by no less the Director of the National Library, Hon Antonio M. Santos, who made sure he had to be present for the project launching as the concept caught his attention. The “Alimbukad: Basa Pamilya” was launched to coincide the celebration of the 30th National Children’s Book Day.

The director was so impressed by the project concept that he has invited Zonta Club of Cebu II to undertake the project in a wider scope. Atty Antonio M. Santos, served as the guest speaker of the event. In his inspirational message, he mentioned the project as the first one in the entire country with a tie-up with the City Library.

The club has plans to reach out to the other cities with existing libraries.

A storytelling and puppetry presentation was also held during the launching by students and Zonta Club of Cebu II’s Z Club from Childlink Learning Center. The Daycare centers’ students, parents, teachers from Capitol were in attendance. City Librarians from Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu expressed their wishes that this project can be duplicated in their cities, too. Media, print and TV, including Cebu City Press Information Office were there to cover the event. Snacks for the children were provided by Jollibee.