More than just school supplies

Last year, when National Book Store flew Mitch Albom to Manila for a series of events, the "Tuesdays With Morrie" author visited Pawing Elementary School in Palo, Leyte and promised to help the children in the typhoon stricken-region by building libraries there. His foundation, A Hole in the Roof, partnered with National Book Store Foundation to create the D.R.Y. Libraries project (Donated Reading for Youth in the Philippines).

The first library is 85% done, with only wall and furniture finishings to be completed in time for the opening. "It's set to be turned over to Pawing Elementary School on June 19," said National Book Store Foundation head Bea Torres.

Building libraries isn't the only thing National Book Store does to help equip children in need with necessary instruments for education.

Tools for education

Bea said, "National Book Store's vision includes a strong advocacy towards education. Our founder Socorro Ramos has always believed in the power of education and in making sure that the tools for education are made more accessible."

For seven years now, during back-to-school season, National Book Store has made it easy for people to give with Project Aral, the yearly campaign that allows you to donate a school supply kit to a child in need for only P25. Each kit, which can easily be found at counters at National Book Store branches nationwide, includes two notebooks, two pencils, a sharpener and an eraser. Two kits are usually given to each child.

In 2013, National Book Store delivered 500,000 kits to 250,000 children in 410 schools including those in far-flung areas that are only accessible by foot. Last year, they were able to collect 700,000 kits which were distributed to 350,000 children. "Most of the donations last year were given to Yolanda affected areas in Eastern Visayas, Iloilo and Northern Cebu," said Bea. Kits were also distributed in schools all over the country that National Book Store Foundation has partnered with for years.

Project Aral campaign started on April 17 this year and it looks like they will collect and donate even more kits this time. "We started two weeks earlier than when we started last year. Customers are donating more this year. From an average of one kit in the previous years, our average has gone up to two kits per customer. Just recently, a customer donated 4,000 kits."

This year's kits will be donated to their continuously growing number of partner schools. "We are revisiting a site in Babuyan Islands with almost 2,000 children. We are also donating kits to kids in Mamasapano, Maguindanao. In addition, we've identified areas in Samar and Leyte that will receive donations. The farthest area this year will be in Tawi-Tawi."

The Project Aral kits are more than just school supplies, they're a dose of encouragement, a ray of hope, a key to a better future.

Over a million children

The generosity of shoppers is no longer a surprise to National Book Store. Through Project Aklat, another National Book Store Foundation initiative, National Book Store and its customers have helped fill the shelves of over 800 libraries around the country with donated books. "The projects were designed to help children who do not have access to these tools. By providing them with supplies and books, the foundation hopes to make learning easier and school life more complete for them. Involving our customers and making the project simple and easy to participate in are keys to its continuing success. Over the last six years, the donated kits and books have helped over a million children across the country to hopefully equip them for a brighter and better future."

Soon, there will be even more ways to help. Bea said, "The foundation will soon launch other projects including a volunteer program that our customers can have a more hands-on participation in."

The Project Aral kits will be available in stores until June 30.

During back-to-school season, National Book Store makes it easy for people to give with Project Aral, the yearly campaign that allows you to donate a school supply kit to a child in need for only P25