Empowering Together: AGFI and ASKI Extend Handang Magbasa Program to Santa Rosa, Nueva Ecija

AGFI Executive Director Con Estrella delivers a message to the child development workers and day care parents of Santa Rosa before the start of the workshop.

JOINING FORCES FOR CHANGE

As advocacy efforts worldwide recognize the indispensable role of partnerships in effecting positive change, collaborative endeavors have become increasingly prevalent. This collaborative spirit extends to initiatives like Adarna Group Foundation, Inc.’s (AGFI) Handang Magbasa, whose implementations have been expanding to different municipalities and communities thanks to like-minded partner organizations– one of which is ASKI Foundation, Inc. (ASKI).

ASKI, as the corporate social responsibility arm of the ASKI Group of Companies, Inc., serves marginalized families and communities in areas where the institution operates. Established in 2008, the Foundation focuses on community development, health, education, environment, shelter, and outreach initiatives. Notably, their first partnership with AGFI for the implementation of the Handang Magbasa program took place in ASKI School of Knowledge in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija where ASKI is based. Building on its success, they have now expanded the Handang Magbasa program to another municipality in the same province, furthering their commitment to educational advocacy and community empowerment.

When asked about the inspiration behind ASKI's decision to collaborate once again with AGFI after the initial implementation, ASKI Coordinator Claudine Nicolas emphasized, “The Reading Literacy program, in partnership with AGFI, has played a significant role, particularly in educating young learners, providing informative materials, and enhancing the capacities of day care workers who serve as vital instruments in the education process.” She further highlighted AGFI's expertise in implementing educational initiatives for young learners, noting their effective provision of informative materials such as books and the facilitation of capacity-building sessions, which collectively contribute to the improvement of the learning environment.

EXPANDING IMPACT: FROM CABANATUAN TO SANTA ROSA

Currently, the program benefits two (2) child development workers and 70 day care parents from Liwayway Day Care Center in Barangay Liwayway, Santa Rosa, Nueva Ecija. This is over three times the number of day care parents compared to the first implementation in 2023 with 21 day care parents.

The second Memorandum of Agreement between the two partners were signed last January 2024 in Sta. Rosa, Nueva Ecija.

EMPOWERING THROUGH LEARNING

Apart from distributing reading materials, the program further enhances learning through training videos and workshops. A recent in-person workshop, held last March 20, 2024 at the Barangay Hall Gym of Barangay Liwayway, Santa Rosa, was attended by 17 day care parents from Liwayway Day Care Center and 37 child development workers from across the municipality.

The day care parents took part in the ‘Paglalaro at Pagkatuto sa Tahanan’ workshop facilitated by Teacher Camille Quiambao. This session emphasized the importance of storytelling and playing with children at home, underlining the essential role parents play in their children's learning. Throughout the workshop, Teacher Camille enlightened on common misconceptions about play and shared various ways of interacting with children at home.

Simultaneously, the child development workers participated in the ‘Mabisang Pagkukuwento’ workshop by Teacher Michelle Agas. During this session, Teacher Michelle discussed the positive impact of storytelling, effective techniques for children, the role of teachers, and strategies for planning a storytelling session. Both workshops were complemented by activities designed to help day care parents and child development workers apply their learnings.

According to Teacher Krizziah Silvestre, child development worker at Liwayway 1 Day Care Center, the workshop helped them gain ideas on some strategies they can do to make a child listen to them more and what effective storytelling entails. “Yung makikinig po sa kanilang teacher parang mahirap po ngayon. Dahil yung iba po talagang ano po sila sa gadget. Tutok po sa gadget. Medyo mahirap po kuhanin ang kanilang interes,” she explains.

For Ms. Claudine, programs like Handang Magbasa serve as “a vital pathway for young learners to develop reading literacy, a fundamental yet essential skill for every child. As children acquire the ability to read, they gain sustainable knowledge that can be applied to various professions, benefiting not only themselves but also their families and communities.” As one of ASKI’s primary focuses is education, AGFI’s program aligns perfectly with their mission to empower individuals and uplift communities through literacy initiatives that pave the way for brighter futures.

In the realm of educational advocacy, partnerships amplify efforts to empower learners and communities, embodying the collective strength and commitment needed for meaningful change. At AGFI, we're committed to driving meaningful change through collaborative initiatives. 

For partnership inquiries or more information on how to bring AGFI’s programs to your community, email us at adarnagroupfoundation@agfi.com.ph.

Together, let’s make #EveryFilipinoChildAReader!