|
| |
Vol. II Number 3 October, November,
December 1997
GASA BOOK DRIVE FOR SIQUIJOR IN HIGH GEAR!
Rotary Club of Siquijor Province Welcomes Another Humanitarian Partnership!
Fremont, California, October 11. GASA Board of Directors and Officers met today in
Fremont, California to discuss the organization's activities and ongoing programs.
Foremost on the agenda was the good news received by GASA president CarmeņaLuz (Bebe) Y.
Miraflor from the current president of the Rotary Club of Siquijor Province, Frederick
Amor. The very elated Bebe Carmeņa reported that the Rotary Club has eagerly accepted
GASA's request to engage the Rotarians as its partner in managing the "mobile
library" program for the island of Siquijor. It should also be noted that the Rotary
Club of Siquijor Province is already GASA's partner in the management of the ongoing
"clothes-for-the-needy" program.
It was also announced that several boxes of magazines, children's books, textbooks,
medical journals, manuals and reference materials have now been collected by GASA Staff
and volunteers and are at present waiting to be processed. The GASA Board is now
formulating plans to inventory and catalogue the books and other reading materials, before
shipping them to Siquijor.
Both the "mobile library" and the "clothes-for-the-needy" programs
depend on the continued in-flow of donations in cash and kind. Volunteers of time and
talent have also worked hard to get the work done. GASA has been fortunate to have a
confluence of these elements to successfully launch these projects off the ground. The
projects are soaring for now. "But it can only continue to fly if everybody works
together", say Bebe Carmeņa. "So far we are getting heartwarming calls of
support from people. And that's plenty."
"For the past two Christmas seasons, GASA was able to raise most of these funds,
through the efforts of the the GASA Minstrels. These volunteers, including small children,
have sacrificed time, effort and even braved the wet, cold, late winter nights, caroling,
during all the weekends of December of 1995 and 1996. Many wonderful people opened their
hearts to these causes. This, so they could share their little blessing, with our needy
brothers and sisters in Siquijor."
In the meantime, Rene (Bimbim) Rocamora, who recently arrived after a two week stint in
Larena and around the island, reported very positive feedback regarding GASA and its
programs. He was invited to attend one of the Rotary Club's regular meeting but was unable
to do so because of his limited timetable. He was still able to meet with some club
members, including current club president, Frederick Amor, to discuss more details about
the GASA structure and its new programs.
Mr. Amor, in his letter to the GASA president, mentioned the completion of distribution of
the items for the "clothes-for-the-needy" in the barrios of Cang-apa, Candigun,
Sandugan and Cang-malalag.
The following is a re-print of Mr. Amor's letter.
September 11, 1997
Ms. CarmeņaLuz Y. Miraflor
President
Greater America Siquijorian Association
Fremont, California, USA
Dear Ms. Miraflor,
Greetings to all GASA friends.
Your concern for our folks especially our poor brothers and sisters is simply fantastic
and the club as your friend-partner for all your GASA endeavors is very appreciative and
thankful for such humanitarian gesture.
No sooner than we distributed your clothes-for-the-needy donations when we receive another
novel idea of eduacating our people is indeed manna from heaven.
The club met and discussed the merits of managing a bookmobile and have decided that we
will adopt a system to really circulate and make ready available the books to the general
reading public particularly in areas where access to reading materials is as you said not
easy.
Really, your idea of a bookmobile is most welcome. We will be your industrial partner as
long as our limited resources permit. Just as you are grateful, we too are very grateful
for your manifestation of kindness and concern for the less fortunate brethren in the
province.
Enclosed are pictures taken during the distribution of your clothes-for-the-needy project
in the barrios of Cang-apa, Candigun, Sandugan and Cangmalalag.
Wish you more success and God bless.
Sincerely yours,
Frederick G. Amor
President, RY 1997-1998
|
