Trees and books are us

Trees give us food and conserve water for us, as well, give us paper for our books of knowledge. That makes the project "Books for Trees" in Norzagaray, Bulacan and two other school districts in Taysan, Batangas and Kiwalan, Iligan in Mindanao very urgent and relevant.

Children need books for their minds in the same manner as they need food and water for thir bodies. With intellegent materials in the universal subject areas of mathematics, science and English within their reach, unlocking their imagination and creativity can form visions to turn their dreams and aspirations into reality.

Some 41,000 students are set to benefit from 54,000 high quality reference and supplementary books. In return, recipient students will plant trees to express their gratitude to the book donors. In the public schools of Norzagaray, Bulacan, the children have planted more than 5,000 seedlings donated by the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

The interactive gesture underscores the need to sustain balance in the environment. As books are made of paper from trees, the tree planting symbolizes the people’s continuing concern for the preservation of nature and environment.

The reference and supplementary books come from the book-sharing program of the "Book for the Barrios" and course through the Books for the Barangays Foundation and the Department of Education.

According to Peter Hoddinot, president of Lafarge Cement Services Philippines Inc., "Books for Trees" aims to achieve two very important community concerns. One is education, so we are investing in the future of our children by providing learning tools–books. Second, is environment, because all sectors, including companies like ours will benefit from lush, clean, well-conserved, and, therefore, productive environment.

The initial 18,000 educational books donated to public schools of Norzagaray is a book distribution and tree planting project of Continental Operating Corporation, Republic Cement Corporation and its mother company, Lafarge Cement, one of the world leaders in building materials.

The impact of the task is enormous and the Books for the Barangay Foundation Inc. has done its share with the unlimited support of various organizations and corporations such as APL Philippines, LBC, Charles Mosser Foundation, Hongkong Shanghai Bank. Ford Group Philippines and many other like-minded groups

As Nanette S. Bantog, outstanding student of Norzagaray Central School sums up the meaning of the book distribution and tree planting project:

"We really need them not only in understanding our lessons better but also in knowing more about other places and cultures. But more importanly, in knowing our inner selves better. We could not have hoped for a better gift. We know that these books are for us to use and take care of for future students of my school.

"We would like to show our gratitude by planting the seedlings given to us and making sure that they grow old with us. We know that books come from trees and we would like to plant more trees for the books we receive and for more sources of book for the future generations. "