Mission To get Filipino children to read English books regularly so that they will improve their reading skills and English proficiency.
Our Mission BKP is an acronym for Bagong Kulturang Pinoy, a Tagalog phrase which translates to “new Filipino culture.” We are a non-profit organization, driven by the efforts of volunteers, whose mission is to develop a reading culture and promote literacy among children in poverty-stricken areas of the Philippines. Our goal is to help these children acquire strong reading skills and a proficiency in the English language with the belief that this will provide the solid education that will lead to better opportunities for their future. Our Strategy BKP establishes libraries in daycare centers, schools, and community centers in impoverished communities throughout the Philippines to make books accessible to children. These collections are refreshed and expanded with regular additions. Teachers and other community volunteers in the Philippines routinely read aloud to the children and use reading methodologies to not only introduce children to the fundamentals of reading, but also to encourage them to be active participants in the learning process. BKP has always understood that it takes more than access to books to inspire children to become habitual readers. Teachers are trained using the First Steps to Engaged Reading (FSER) program, developed by Rotary International, and the Thinking While Reading (TWR) program. FSER is geared for students in pre-K to grade 3 and introduces budding readers to the joys of reading. TWR is designed for students in grade 4 and older. Its three-fold goal is to make sure children are reading, they are reading regularly, and they are engaged readers. Our Results Since BKP’s founding in 1998, we have established more than 140 libraries throughout the Philippines. Each year, we send nearly 50,000 books into the hands of children, enriching their education, stimulating their imagination, fueling their dreams, and enabling their stride out of poverty. The achievements of schools equipped with BKP libraries have been recognized by the Philippine Department of Education and the accomplishments of individual students have been rewarded with honors.