The WBFN Book Project is a World Bank Family Network initiative which distributes books to developing countries all over the world. One of its goals is to promote education by giving textbooks to schools and community libraries in impoverished places and to give children the opportunity to learn and widen their knowledge through books.
The project is currently run by a group of World Bank Group spouses/partners and retirees who voluntarily dedicate their time and effort to support this noble cause. To me, they are the real unsung heroes in this important undertaking. While their contribution is voluntary, they come with strong commitment to their project. I am amazed by the enthusiasm and their willingness to reach out to the poor school children some of whom have never had a textbook before. They operate almost with anonymity working in the most obscure place located in the basement of the World Bank in the J Building. I feel a sense of commonality when I am amongst this group, that eagerness to “give back” and that feeling of satisfaction that you are actually doing something to make a difference. When you are down there in the basement, you can’t help but ask…What is it for them? Why do they take the time? But in hindsight, I know that it must give them so much pleasure as all of them look happy—but then again, maybe it’s the common goal and camaraderie that makes them feel that way.
This year, the Philippines has been chosen as one of the recipients of the Book Project shipments. As the distributor, I have selected 40 schools in the province of Davao del Sur located in the island of Mindanao in the southern tip of the Philippine archipelago. Davao del Sur has a population of a little less than a million people. Its income per capita is $500 annually per household which is derived mostly from agricultural, fishery and forestry sources of livelihoods. Among young adults in both genders ages 15 and above, 92.6% can read and write. The education system is mirrored from the US system, however, the school system is 30 years behind the current US standard. Because most of the children’s families are living below the poverty line, parents cannot afford to buy books for them. In reality, there is only one textbook per classroom for the teacher’s use. While north of the Philippines is saturated with foreign charitable aids and grants, Mindanao in the south suffers a considerable loss due to the stigma associated with its location – which is known to be where pockets of Muslim separatists reside, resulting in less flow of development aid and grants due to the added security risk. This decision by the Book Project team is such welcome news and a long overdue gift to the poor school children of Davao del Sur.
I have informed Bert Hofman, Country Director for the Philippines, and he was pleased to learn about the good news. The Book Project will be sending approximately 30,000 books about 550 boxes in a 40-foot container to Davao City Ports to be distributed to the selected schools in the province of Davao del Sur.
I have dreamt of this since 2007 when I first approached the group. I never thought it would happen in a lifetime since the process is competitive and there are other countries poorer than the Philippines. When I received the news that my proposal was selected for one of this year’s Book Project recipient, I was ecstatic! It almost felt like I won the lottery!!!
By Evelyn Bautista-Laguidao
The author, Evelyn Bautista-Laguidao, is a proud resident of Davao del Sur. She is a World Bank staff and lives in Virginia, USA. She is currently the Senior Executive Assistant to the Vice President of East Asia and Pacific at the World Bank Headquarters in Washington DC. She goes home and visits Davao del Sur every year with her husband and 2 kids. She is also the distributor of the WBFN Book Project in Davao del Sur.