Balsa Basa - Philippines
Donation protected
With edu-friends and colleagues around the world, I see many opportunities for support and investment in education. In 2018, I had the pleasure of becoming good friends with Ryan Homan, Head Teacher of San Jose Elementary School and Founder of the Balsa Basa Festival, in Sorsogon province, Philippines.
Ryan connects students school experience with the Balsa Basa Festival, an annual event that empowers his young students to teach others to read. Balsa Basa literally translates to 'reading raft'. With the village of San Jose situated alongside the Ubod River, students and books are safely transported on rafts to other villages and communities along the river. Students deliver books and read aloud to both children and adults, all focused on showing the power of literacy to change lives and improve opportunity.
Ryan's work has been recognized in both national and international settings, including his standing as a 2018 Finalist for the Global Teacher Prize.
How will we use this money? The education system in the Philippines faces financial challenges because of the country's sizeable population and geographic diversity. Access to materials and supplies can be very limited when there are no roads connecting to your community, such as the situation for the village of San Jose. Funds raised will be used to purchase supplies for students, learning resources to support teachers' instructional practice, and to improve the school facilities.
We hope to meet this goal by August 1st, when students will return to start a new school year. This will provide an opportunity for donors to be recognized and see their contribution supporting this community at a time of excitement! A formal recognition of donors will occur during the 2019 Balsa Basa Festival.
Ryan connects students school experience with the Balsa Basa Festival, an annual event that empowers his young students to teach others to read. Balsa Basa literally translates to 'reading raft'. With the village of San Jose situated alongside the Ubod River, students and books are safely transported on rafts to other villages and communities along the river. Students deliver books and read aloud to both children and adults, all focused on showing the power of literacy to change lives and improve opportunity.
Ryan's work has been recognized in both national and international settings, including his standing as a 2018 Finalist for the Global Teacher Prize.
How will we use this money? The education system in the Philippines faces financial challenges because of the country's sizeable population and geographic diversity. Access to materials and supplies can be very limited when there are no roads connecting to your community, such as the situation for the village of San Jose. Funds raised will be used to purchase supplies for students, learning resources to support teachers' instructional practice, and to improve the school facilities.
We hope to meet this goal by August 1st, when students will return to start a new school year. This will provide an opportunity for donors to be recognized and see their contribution supporting this community at a time of excitement! A formal recognition of donors will occur during the 2019 Balsa Basa Festival.
Organizer
Mark Reid
Organizer
