CONCORD, California — Students from John Green Elementary School in Dublin, California, recently sorted, stacked and loaded pallets of books destined for rural schools in the Philippines.
They brought personal books from home, along with favorites from school to the Books for the Barrios headquarters in Concord, California, and helped pack them up for transport to the Philippines. They also learned a little about the lives of their Philippine counterparts from photos and letters the kids sent.
The US-based nonprofit Books for the Barrios since 1981 has donated more than 15 million books, set up 16,000 libraries and trained 8,000 public school teachers. Its work has attracted supporters both private and corporate.
Through private donations and grants from companies like Western Union, the nonprofit has been able to distribute not only books, but also computers and other educational materials to schools in remote rainforest villages.
“At Western Union, we applaud and encourage organizations like Books for the Barrios that help young people have a chance at a better life. As a global company, we feel like we’re not just a business but an active part of our communities all over the world,” the remittance company stated in a press release.
“Many of our customers have migrated from the Philippines to work elsewhere and they send money home to support their families. That’s why we donate money to help renovate, supply, and maintain Books for the Barrios libraries,” the company added.
The nonprofit also provides an opportunity for American students to get involved, helping them to see beyond their own communities and connect with kids in another part of the world.