Alimbukad: Basa Pamilya” - Free and Impactful Reading For Every Cebuano Child

The Zontians attended the project presentation of Zonta Club of Cebu 2

“Alimbukad: Basa Pamilya” is a one of a kind family literacy program of the Zonta Club of Cebu 2, a non-profit organization.  It is committed to inspiring a passion for reading among children and empowering parents to take leadership in the learning success of their children through reading aloud at home.

Launched in 2013 with 25 families, Alimbukad: Basa Pamilya now serves 600 families and counting.  In partnership with Cebu City Public Library and DepEd Cebu City, Mandaue, Lapulapu and Cebu Province,  it has built a legacy grounded on the basis that all children have the right to learn to read.

Alimbukad provides books for K-2 families to read daily at home during each school year. Meeting once a month, it trains parents on how to promote interactive literacy activities at home through its Parent and Child Time activities.

In a library visit, last February 20, 2020, spearheaded by Zonta Club of Cebu 2 President Ms. Marilou Cañizares and attended by Zonta District 17 and Areas 1-5 officers, at the Zonta Children’s Reading Corner, Alimbukad: Basa Pamilya Program director Ms. Wi Suan Tiu shared the challenges they had to hurdle to reach its goals.

One of the challenges is finding age-appropriate quality books. Currently, we have approximately 3,000 books circulating among Alimbukad participants. We solicit books donation from Alimbukad friends in the United States and Canada, purchase books from bookstores and local publishing companies to keep the books upgraded.

Another challenge is the training of the teachers who are in charge of implementing the program in their respective schools. They are crucial to the success of the program. Teachers are trained in efficient and systematic bookbags distribution and tracking, facilitating the monthly Alimbukad PACT session and reading aloud strategies. In the past 7 years, the partner schools have given Alimbukad their full support and cooperation. Together, we are making children better readers and shaping a better future for them.

The Officers of Zonta Area 3 together with Zonta Club Area Directors from Area 1, 3,4,5, & 6, Past District 17 Governor, Primitiva (Baby) Perez Sison, District Treasurer, and incoming Lieutenant District 17 Governor Leah Bautista