Letter from Lorena Gutierrez

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Dearest friends,

I am writing this letter to all of you from my kitchen nook, across from me my second daughter Sabrina is quietly drawing. Behind her is the hallway that leads to the bedrooms of my oldest daughter Camille and my baby son Luca. We are in Vitoria, Espirito Santo Brazil. Suddenly it hits me, how much time has passed since I've seen many of you, since we started this project together, and since my older brother, Love, died. It's been almost 7 years since I've left the Bay Area and 12 years in January since my brother passed. And yet, after all this time and distance, you have stayed dedicated to this cause. 

I really am quite speechless. Awestruck at what you have done for The Books for Love Project and how much you've helped the children in Palindan,Ibaan Batangas and even the children of Interlagos, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Many of these children are now adults and I'd like to think that our contributions have somehow influenced their lives in one way or another. And that they are now also helping others around them. This is what I'd like to believe.

On behalf of my growing family and my brother's memory, thank you for your kindness and for continually supporting Books for Love. 

Happy Holidays to all!

Lorena Ortega Gutierrez   #104

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Thank You, Beta Phi Sisters -

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First of all I would like to  thank the Beta Phi Sister who have continuously raised funds and supported the Books for Love Project over the years. Thanks also goes to Leilani Reis Kane and Augusto Tagaro for their untiring effort in coordinating the project from San Francisco.

2011 was a milestone for Palindan Elementary School (Ibaan, Batangas, Philippines). The then Principal Mario Andal wanted to encourage the kids to be science buffs and the Books for Love helped and provided the equipment and books they would need to set up their Science Corner.

Thru the help of the Beta Phi Sisters in San Francisco State University, we were able to send the microscope, and balance that was needed. San Francisco Library contributed elementary science books and Mon Cargo, sponsored the shipment of all the above to Palindan Elementary School.

Here are the photos of the Science Corner at Palindan Elementary School.

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E-mail from Mario Andal, Principal of Palindan Elementary School

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Dear Emma, Lorena and Leilani,


We would like to thank you for all your help to our school and especially to our pupils.  the microscope and the weighing balance were very much of big help to our pupils. In addition, the books and the educational cd/dvd really help the pupils to learn because of its animation. its been a big help... thank you very much. in behalf of the pupils, teachers and parents of palindan elem. school... we thank you...
please extend our thanks also to all the members of Beta Phi Sorority especially to  Lorena and Leilani...thank you and God Bless...

mario


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2012 is the 11th year of the Books for Love. I could not help but imagine the children who received the first books we distributed at the school in 2001.They are now grown ups. The 6th grade students then were 12 years old who by now are already 23.  

There have been  4 different principals whom we have worked with in the span of 11 years.  Dolly, Ely, Mario and now Jo. We are all connected to the project because of our desire to enthuse the school children of Palindan Elementary School in their quest for knowledge.

From setting up the school's  library, the computer lab, the astronomy project complete with telescope, dvd's and books, the science laboratory corner with microscope, balance. science books and dvd's, now we go high tech.  

The present  Principal, of Palindan Elementary School, Josephine Berana told us that the children gets excited when they watch their lessons on an LCD screen.  So the wish list  is computer, LCD screen ,
internet connection and educational CD's.

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THANKS TO THE BOOKS FOR LOVE

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From Emiliana Roxas, Ex Principal of Palindan Elementary School

LOVE's memories will always shine to the hearts of our schoolchildren in Palindan Elem. School...Books For LOVE truly made a difference to the intellectual development of our schoolchildren when I was still a Principal there in Palindan, Ibaan District, Division of Batangas, Philippines...Palindan Elementary School became one of the Top Performing Schools in the whole Region. THANKS TO THE BOOKS FOR LOVE!

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