More than 1,000 elementary and junior high school students in the island of Sibale, Romblon have more reasons to pursue their studies with the provision of learner’s kits from National Book Store Foundation, Inc. The provision from National Book Store was facilitated by Prepostulant Florence. The Daughters of St. Paul – Lipa, in close coordination with Rev. Fr. Franz Fournal, Sibale’s Parish Priest, facilitated the logistics from Lipa, Batangas to Sibale. Each student received a set of notebooks, pencils, erasers, and sharpener. The Paulines Publishing House donated books for the library of the parochial schools.
Sibale, an island town of Romblon is one of the places in the country often visited by typhoons. In fact, it was the one hit hardest by Typhoon Nona in December last year. All the barangay chapels were damaged and many houses and school buildings were badly affected. A small village was even almost wiped out with just 3 houses out of 65 remaining liveable after the typhoon. The residents lost their property, their crops especially the coconut trees that fell down. The villagers said that it will take five to seven years to harvest again the coconut which is their source of livelihood. Their means of transportation are also limited and as a result, its people are challenged to work for the progress of their island.
The learner’s kits serve as an early Christmas gift not just for the students but also for their parents since they will no longer have to buy new sets of school supplies for their children.
The parish priest and the recipients of this donation were all very happy and grateful upon receiving it.