By Prof. Sarex Dalida Dipol, Jr

A CPU CAS Faculty scans a book donated to Nazuni Elementary School.

The College of Arts and Sciences is committed to address various societal issues, such as illiteracy, teenage pregnancy, unemployment and poverty, among others in the region. Last, April 28, 2023 (Friday), the college established mini-libraries in Nazuni Elementary School and Nazuni Summit National Comprehensive High School, located in Brgy. Nazuni, Dingle, Iloilo. The selected outreach community was experiencing those mentioned societal issues.

The community is considered as a geographically-isolated and disadvantaged area (GIDA), where teachers, students and the community as a whole, has no internet connection and signal. Teachers and students need to go to the mountain or higher places to receive messages and calls.

The mini-libraries established in the elementary and high school include four hundred textbooks, reading tables, chairs, alphabet mats, and book shelves. The books are donated by selected faculty members of the college, selected CPU students, and concerned citizens. Aside from the mini-libraries established in the community, the CPU-Biological Society officials and members conducted environmental stewardship literacy to graduating students of the community. This program is called “Mini-Aklatan Para sa Magandang Kinabukasan!”

A partner organization, Junior Chamber International (JCI) Iloilo also gave seventeen boxes of nutritious chocolate powder drink for the elementary and high school students of the community.