A Family Tradition of Giving Continues
Volunteers traveled to Narvacan, Ilocos Sur, Philippines, to visit the children at Turod Elementary School early in the week. A second school visit was a celebration involving the entire school and the community, joined by the Peralta and Fines families, descendants of Dionisio Fines—the donor of the school's land. The Peralta and Fines families generously provided a free meal for all students and distributed over 200 books. Catherine, the great-great-granddaughter of Dionisio Fines, traveled from Hawaii to give back to the community and to also connect with her family roots. GO! READ Turod Elementary
San Esteban Elementary
Volunteers traveled to Brenda’s hometown San Esteban, Ilocos Sur, Philippines, to visit San Esteban Elementary, where Brenda last attended school as a 2nd grader. Returning after so many years was very different from what Brenda could recall as a young girl. Despite having been gone for so many years, she was embraced by administrators, teachers, and students. It was a welcoming surprise for Brenda, and it was even more comforting to meet a distant cousins for the first time, a very special and memorable day! Brenda, Catherine, and Liz read to the children and also donated 100 books to the school. GO! READ San Esteban EL.