2009 GFI Year End Accomplishment Report

A. 34 GFI Balikbayan Boxes Shipped to the following beneficiaries:

1) Ladislao Diwa Elementary School

2) Cavite National High School

3) Tanauan North Elementary School

4) Maligo Elementary School

5) Landan National High School

6) Maligo Day Care School

7) Brgy. Maligo Public Library

8) Kipalkuda Elementary School

B. GFI Partner Schools/Institutions/Businesses:

1. Warren T. Jackson Elementary School
2. Cross of Life Lutheran Church and its Social Ministry
3. PAWAG – Philippine American Women’s Association in Georgia
4. Sweet Apple Elementary School
5. Manila Mart Wholesale and Logistics
6. Mabuhay Store
7. Roswell Visual Arts Center
8. Northwest Phil-Am Association
9. Care Net Pregnancy Resource Center of Atlanta
10. McDonough Public Library
11. Roswell North Elementary School
12. Shallowford Falls Elementary School
13. Queen of Angels Catholic School
14. Assist2Sell
15. Cartridge World Lilburn Branch
16. Philippines Honorary Consular Office in Atlanta


C. GFI Public Events and Community Service in Atlanta:

1. Dinner Reception in honor of Dr. Carolina Hernandez - February
2. EDSA People Power Commemoration in Atlanta – February
3. Atlanta Dogwood Festival – April
4. Asian Pacific Heritage Month in partnership with Alpharetta Branch Public Library – May
5. Consular on Wheels – June
6. Children’s Arts Workshop - June
7. Children’s Arts Exhibit in Roswell – June 26 to August 7
8. President Corazon Aquino Memorial – August
9. WWAAC – August
10. Combined Federal Campaign participation - September
11. Children’s Arts Exhibit in McDonough Public Library – November
12. Year End Dinner with HCG and YLA Awarding - December


D. Updates on the GFI Mindanao Outreach 5-year Library Development Plan (2008 – 2013)

I. Kipalkuda Elementary School - Maitum, Sarangani Province

1. The provincial government of Sarangani turned over a check amounting to PhP 180,000.00 on April 18, 2009 for the construction of Kipalkuda Elementary School
2. Launched the Youth Leadership Award (YLA) and the Best in English awards during the commencement exercises
3. GFI has strong partnership with the Datu Wali Mission in project implementation
4. GFI needs to sustain sending of books and educational resources for the newly constructed school library

II. Maligo Day Care School – Polomolok, South Cotabato

1. Teacher-in-charge designated a place in the classroom for storage of kindergarten books and other educational materials they call as their “Reading Center”
2. Launched the Best in English awards
3. Pupils submitted artworks for the Children’s Art Exhibit in Atlanta
4. Pupils showed capacity in English writing thru their thank you notes for GFI and donors
5. Strong support from the local government officials

III. Maligo Elementary School - Polomolok, South Cotabato

1. Parent and Teachers Association (PTA) decided to allocate a space inside the school principal’s office to be the temporary library area or as a reading center until there will be funds for construction of the library building.

2. Some books are also placed in the respective classrooms applicable to the respective grade level.
3. The teachers, parents and volunteers are actively involved in every books turn-over
4. Students are very responsive in their letters to GFI and the donors
5. Teachers have strong partnership with the local government officials
6. Youth Leadership Award launched along with the Best in English Awards

7. Students held their First Arts Workshop and submitted artworks for the Children’s Art Exhibit in Atlanta
8. Organized the GFI Mindanao Kids Club Chapter
9. Certificates of recognition awarded by GFI for volunteers during the graduation ceremonies
10. GFI has to sustain sending books and educational resource materials for the school library development and for the local government to look for construction funding

4. Maligo Public Library - Polomolok, South Cotabato

1.Awarded by the Provincial Government of South Cotabato for the ‘Most Outstanding Barangay Category A” partly because of their public library establishment
2. Local government officials actively involved in implementing the YLA, Best in English Awards, books turn-over and children’s arts workshop
3. Local government officials are submitting feedbacks/reports

V. Landan National High School - Polomolok, South Cotabato

1. Library construction finished this year and books were shelved accordingly
GFI volunteers are keeping track of all book arrivals in the school and submits report
2. The school principal sent a teacher to the provincial school board to be trained as school librarian
3. Launched the YLA and Best in English Awards

4. GFI has to sustain sending books and other educational resource materials for the school library
5. Teachers very cooperative with GFI Mindanao Local Coordinator