This National Indigenous Peoples Month, help us bring stories that educate and bring hope and faith to indigenous children in the Philippines.

October is National Indigenous Peoples Month in the Philippines, a time to celebrate the rich cultures and contributions of our indigenous communities. It is also an opportunity to find meaningful ways to support their children and help them access educational resources.

Not every child has access to a personal collection of books. By donating children’s books to schools, community libraries, and indigenous communities, we can help make reading more accessible and enjoyable.

Our goal is not simply to distribute books but to share stories that can make a difference in children’s lives.

As an author and advocate for children’s literacy, I invite you to support our book donation drive featuring two of my children’s books: Maliit na ang Palda ni Isay and Pasko Pa Rin.

I have started our Buy a Book, Donate a Book Program with Maliit na ang Palda ni Isay in 2018. You may read more details and see previous photos about this here. Through the years, we have donated to different public schools, public libraries and communities in partnership with generous individuals and companies with CSR programs like Cleeneco and Bancnet.

Last year, I also had a series of book donation drives and outreaches for both titles to celebrate my golden year. You may read about them here, here and here.

We have previously donated books to Mangyan and Aeta children. This year, I hope we can reach more indigenous communities, including the Igorots in Northern Philippines. With your help, we can purchase copies of these books and donate them to public libraries serving their communities or, if we are able to raise enough funds, donate directly to indigenous children.

Two Books, Meaningful Lessons

Books can do more than entertain. They can teach children important values, encourage them to dream, and help them see possibilities beyond their present circumstances.

Maliit na ang Palda ni Isay

Inspired by my own childhood experiences, Maliit na ang Palda ni Isay tells the story of a young girl who learns to make the most of what she has rather than always asking for something new.

Through Isay’s story, children learn to value education over material possessions, take care of their belongings, and practice the 3 Rs (reducing, reusing, and recycling). These lessons encourage children to become responsible stewards of the resources entrusted to them.

Most importantly, Isay’s story reminds children that having limited material resources does not mean they have to give up on their dreams.

As someone who grew up with big dreams and eventually became an author, I hope my story will encourage young readers to study well, work hard, and believe that their circumstances today do not have to define their future.

Pasko Pa Rin

Christmas is one of the most anticipated seasons in the Philippines. But amid the decorations, gifts, parties, new clothes, and festive meals, we can sometimes forget the most important reason we celebrate: the birth of Jesus.

I wrote Pasko Pa Rin to remind children and families that Christmas is still Christmas even when we cannot afford everything we want.

Inspired by a true story from my childhood, this book brings back Isay and her mother, Aling Tess, to share meaningful lessons about faith, family, gratitude, and the true spirit of Christmas.

For children growing up in families experiencing financial difficulties, this message can be especially meaningful. They can discover that Christmas is not measured by the number of gifts they receive or the food on their tables. It is about Jesus, love, and the joy of being with the people who matter most.

Through this book, I hope to bring encouragement to children and remind them that even when life is difficult, there is still reason to hope and celebrate.

Help Us Reach More Indigenous Children

Our previous book donations to Mangyan and Aeta communities have shown us how we can share our blessings through children’s literature. Now, we hope to extend this advocacy to more communities.

Our goal is to raise enough funds to purchase copies of both books for indigenous children, including those in Igorot communities in the north. Depending on the amount raised, we can donate books directly to a group of children or to a public library near their community, allowing more young readers to benefit.

The books cost ₱180 per copy for Maliit na ang Palda ni Isay and ₱250 per copy for Pasko Pa Rin. You may donate a minimum amount of P180 or P250 to help us purchase copies. Every contribution brings us closer to our goal.

The cost of each book is just about the same cost of a coffee, frappe, or shake in most coffee shops or restaurants these days.

I encourage you to consider foregoing one drink and donating at least one copy of a children’s book. One small sacrifice can help a child discover a story that inspires them to learn, dream, and hope.

Let’s Make Christmas Come Early!

Here in the Philippines, the unofficial Christmas season begins as early as September, when the Ber months arrive. By October, many of us are already thinking about Christmas shopping, family gatherings, gifts, and celebrations.

But what if we could make this season more meaningful by sharing our blessings with children who may not have many books of their own?

These are gifts that can continue giving long after the Christmas decorations have been put away.

I may be the author of these books, but with your help, we can bring their messages to more children and make this advocacy a shared mission.

How You Can Help

Will you help us give books, share hope, and make Christmas come early for indigenous children?

Here are three ways you can participate:

1. Donate cash to help us purchase copies of Maliit na ang Palda ni Isay and Pasko Pa Rin.
2. Share this advocacy with your family, friends, church, school, workplace, or community.
3. Connect us with a community or public library that could benefit from these books.

Donations may be sent through GCash or bank deposit. For payment details and instructions, please email me at teresa.hopenetwork@gmail.com with the subject line INDIGENOUS CHILDREN’S BOOK DONATION.

If you represent a company, school, church, or civic organization interested in collaborating, I would love to hear from you.

This National Indigenous Peoples Month, together, let’s give books, give joy & hope, and make Christmas come early for indigenous children in the Philippines!

Thank you for considering to support our advocacy! We look forward to partnering with you!