HUNDREDS of pupils from Malubog Integrated School (MIS) benefitted from SM’s “Donate a Book Project” during the turnover ceremony last Aug. 11.
Welcomed by hundreds of excited children gathered in a quaint room, a stage decorated with “Welcome to MALOUbog,” greeted the team led by Malou Morrell, SM City Cebu’s customer service manager.
“Donate a Book Project started 10 years ago with SM Foundation’s desire to really go to areas where children have no libraries. Kids have no access to public libraries and textbooks are short even in their own (public) schools,” said Morrell.
Earlier last year, SM Department Store, together with Morrell, also went to MIS as the school was chosen as recipient for SM’s Donate a Toy program.
This month, SM, through its loyal customers, donated at least 5,500 books to the students of MIS.
“Our senior vice president Evelyn Lim wanted a school nearby na talagang nangangailangan. This would not be possible without our customers also. Supposedly, we give them a P50 coupon for every book they donate but most of them donated bundles-even boxes of books-yet would only ask for one coupon. Some even preferred not to get the coupon. It’s really heartwarming,” said Morrell.
“Bisan ako, wala ko magdahum! Diay to, adunay usa ka empleyado sa SM nga naghisgot didto ni Ma’am Morrell nga taga dinhi ra siya, og mi sugyot nga kami daw ang hatagan sa mga duwa-anan gikan sa Donate A Toy,” said school head Thelma Rosales, who was equally grateful for the book donation.
Rosales said that the donation came just in time as the Department of Education recently encouraged schools to have a public library in each classroom.
Alongside putting books in the school’s library, students will also receive more than one book, which is suitable for their age and grade level.
“Dako gyud kaayu nig tabang kanamo, mga estudyante. Daghang salamat, SM Foundation,” said Grade 11 student Ruwieanne Angel Cabuenas, who failed to hide her excitement after receiving the book.
Malubog Integrated School is a public community-school located in Sitio Tiguib in the mountain barangay of Malubog, Cebu City. (Romayne Rivera)