The University of San Carlos Chemical Engineering Society’s (USC ChES) Project LIBRO program was hailed as the “Most Innovative Project” of the 13th Ten Accomplished Youth Organizations (TAYO) Awards.
“The organization’s vision is for the students of these far-flung communities to achieve the same kind of quality education as that of other students from other parts of the Philippines. We’re finding more ways on how to develop the intellectual capacity of these communities in Cebu and other parts of the Philippines not only through the mini libraries, but also through different activities that can motivate them to keep on reading books,” explained Marianne Abuan, former project head of Project LIBRO.
Established in 2014, Project LIBRO aims to provide educational assistance to public elementary students in the remote regions of Cebu. The program has put up five mini libraries to date complete with literary and academic reading materials. The selection of schools depend on their vicinity, current conditions, and their capacity to sustain a mini library. After a shortlist of candidates has been deliberated, the local government units and educational stakeholders are tapped to help construct the libraries. Students are then encouraged to read books through reading and comprehension competitions and awards.
As TAYO’s exclusive technology partner, Lenovo chooses the annual “Most Innovative Project” that reflects the body’s goal of finding passionate, driven, and creative youth organizations dedicated to nation-building.
For winning the award, USC ChES received a Lenovo Ideapad 100 as well as other tablets to be donated for their cause. Lenovo hopes that the devices can further help the organization in giving children the education they rightfully deserve.
“We hope that our devices can help USC ChES achieve their goal of bringing the enriching experience of learning through reading to the children in their community, and eventually, in other far flung provinces in the country,” said Michael Ngan, country general manager of Lenovo Philippines.