Building Strong Foundations of Early Literacy in Samal, Bataan

For more than 10 years, Adarna Group Foundation has been in close partnership with the municipality of Samal, Bataan for their early literacy programs. And for more than 10 years, this partnership not only fostered growth and development among its beneficiaries but also a shared commitment to lifelong learning.

Dra. Cristina Espino, former head of Samal Municipal Health Office (2013)

Dra. Cristina Espino, a board member of AGFI and former head of the Samal Municipal Health Office, is a passionate advocate for the power of reading during pregnancy. She emphasizes that early literacy begins even before birth, as a mother’s engagement with books during pregnancy can positively influence a child's brain development. 

More than being a teacher, parents perform the roles of being a caregiver and a role model to their children, shaping their children’s emotional, social, and cognitive development. They hone the overall development of their children—including that of early literacy. Recognizing this, AGFI’s Unang Isang Libong Araw and Unang Aklat highlight the importance of parents and community involvement in child development.

In a focus group discussion with the parents of Samal, Bataan, the importance of parental involvement in the early literacy development of their children was highlighted:

“Ako, lumaki ako na hindi masyado gina-guide ng magulang ko kaya pinangako ko sa sarili ko na hindi ko maipaparanas ‘yon sa anak ko kasi alam ko na mahirap na walang nagtuturo. Ayoko sya na mabalewala at walang pinag-aralan kaya binibigyan ko sila ng oras”

“Parang sayang ‘yong galing ng bata kung hindi natututukan ng magulang kaya kahit isa o kalahating oras lang nilalaan ko sa bata para pagdating ng Kinder-2 marunong magsulat at bumasa.”

“Iba pa rin talaga kapag natututukan ng magulang kumpara kapag sa cellphone, kasi hindi naman lahat ng nasa cellphone ay tama.”

What started as a vision to create a community of readers has flourished into a transformative collaboration. From distributing books to facilitating training sessions, AGFI has worked hand in hand with leaders, local healthcare workers, child development workers, and parents to ensure that every child in Samal has the opportunity to develop a love for reading and learning. The AGFI programs empowered healthcare workers with knowledge of child development and the lifelong benefits of reading, which they, in turn, shared with parents.

This partnership not only built trust but a sense of shared responsibility among the community members, including families. During the focus group discussion, the parents also mentioned how the booklets shared with them helped them monitor the development of their children and made them aware of how to raise their young ones. They also mentioned how the books made available through the programs sparked curiosity among their children, encouraging them to ask questions and engage with the illustrations.

Unang Aklat Training for Barangay Healthcare Workers (2024)

These collective efforts not only strengthen early literacy but also cultivate a culture of learning at home. Dra. Espino’s dedication to improving maternal and child health, along with the unwavering support and cooperation of the local community, became a driving force behind this successful implementation.  As AGFI wraps up its implementation of Unang Isang Libong Araw ang Unang Aklat in Samal, Bataan, the effects of this effort are continuously being embedded in the community, laying down strong foundations of early literacy.