Sorting through the Boxes

This is one of the challenges we faced before the actual distribution of the books. We want each recipient elementary school to receive a cross section of all the books and materials we have. So the boxes were taken out of the storage area into this open area to allow us to sort them out. We had to organize them for distribution. And we needed space, lots of space, to do this. We made an appeal for volunteers, and got a good response.

The books filled the storage room from floor to ceiling! The problem was the rooms were subject to the elements, so we had to move quickly.

It was challenging for all. It was HOT, very hot. Then it would rain very briefly and the sun would beat down on us again. Ahh, typical of Philippine weather in September. Books were spread outside into the sidewalk and the yard, wo we would have to quickly move them back to shelter when the rains would come. Then put them out again when the rains stopped. It was driving us nuts!

But volunteer Remedios "Eday" Chan found a solution to the rain and hot sun battling each other. She used a box to shield her from both, and had her hands free to continue working! How smart is that.

It took us two days to complete organizing. We worked non-stop -- we ate there, and two young guys had to sleep overnight to keep the books secure. But we got done and everything ready for distribution.

Hall of Donors

It has been a while, but better late than never.

At this point, we graciously thank our book donors. They are the blood that pumps life into the education project of the BFT. The same goes for those who donate to our annual fund-raising project, Walk against Poverty. Without all of you, we would have no books to distribute, and no funds for our liveliho0d programs.

• Sister Theodosia


• School on Stony Point

And to all our major sponsors

• Jude Avelino


• Mutual of America

Glad to be Back

I have been away for a few months. Am glad to be back as there is work to do. But more importantly, there is lots of great feedback for the work that BFT has been doing.

As you know, one of our pet projects is the sending of books - textbooks and library books - to different schools in the province of Samar. I traveled to Samar immediately after the 2009 Walkathon, to distribute the books we sent in January of last year.

This time, we were able to provide books for ____ libraries. Of

Chance Meeting

Two days ago, was at Chow King here in Calbayog when I accidentally ran into one of the principals of a distant school who benefited from our 1st Book Drive.  He got so enthusiastic at seeing me.  He said that the Math textbooks we sent are being borrowed by Education Superintendents!  He got a promotion and was transferred out of his school but instructed the incoming principal to take care of the books.  The school he is moving to has no library so he is requesting that his new school can be designated as a beneficiary of our upcoming shipment.  Good to know indeed that our efforts are greatly appreciated and widely used.

Arrive in Manila, Re-packing in Storage

I arrived in Manila at 1:00 pm Saturday.  In a couple of days, I shall be flying to Samar.

In the meantime, Board members PJ and Mel, together with Jowell, continue re-packing the books in storage.  Short on hands, breath and energy, they were still able to re-configure the boxes in one of the large storage rooms.  There is enough space for one more pickup; then we have enough books to fill up a 20-foot container.  Next weekend, we hope to transfer boxes from the smaller room.  Hopefully some of you can give us a hand then.

October 5 - Repacking at Access Storage

On my last weekend before my trip to Samar, I am very grateful to Board Members PJ Pascual and Mel Capinpin, and to our dear friend Jowell Gaela, for taking the time out to join me in re-packing books at our storage facility.

The books BFT receivew are stored at Access Storage prior to their shipment to the Philippines. The books are in various states of packaging. Some are merely tied by string, some in plastic bags and the rest are in different sized boxes. Our goal is to re-pack these books into smaller boxes for easy handling when we load them into the container van, and ultimately, when they are received by Joy, our Program Administrator, in Samar.


Today, we finished repacking 85% of Room 1510...but there remains much to be done. If we could finish this room, and start on another (and bigger) room, then we would have maximized our storage space.


So we are reaching out for extra hands and more volunteers to help in the succeeding weekends. If you are available, please call our BFT office.

Board Meeting

The BFT Board gets together this evening to evaluate the walkathon last Saturday, as well as to remind ourselves of the list of things we need done soon.