Progress in a community starts with a good leadership; a good leadership that would spark change starts with education.
But there are factors that often hinder the education of students that has been a major concern over the years.
As part of an advocacy to help learners ease the challenges, OpinYon Media Advocacies Inc. Rebranded and opened a new community library in the recently opened Ocean View hotel in Barangay Tanghas, Tolosa, Leyte.
The YES Project
Formerly called the “Ask Miguel Project”, the now San Miguel de Tolosa Community Library and Museum is conveniently located just in front of the Visayas State University- Tolosa Campus.
Initiated by the OpinYon Media Advocacies Inc. Publisher Ray Junia, the library offers free printing, access to internet, free use of six computer units, books and a lounge area for groups of students who wishes to use it as a conference room for group meetings.
“We call this a YES Project. Meaning Youth Education Solution Project. Kay han during pandemic namakiana ako han mga students kun ano man an ira ginagamit hit ira pag school. And they said nakadto hira ha computer shops which is not conducive to learning. That is why we initially open the Ask Miguel Project to help those students,” Mr. Junia said.
The First in Tolosa
The first library was used mainly by elementary students as it was conveniently located near the town proper of Tolosa, closer to elementary and high schools. Now, the facility is made accessible for university students as well.
“Pasalamat gud kami kay makakatipid na kami. Kumportable gihap kay airconditioned tapos maka gamit kami computers for research hin libre. Dako talaga nga bulig para ha amon nga mga college students,” a university student told OpinYon 8.
“Sana mag expand gihap ha iba nga lugar. Many municipalities needs this kind of facility kay dako talaga it bulig hini labi na ha mga struggling nga students,” Jenny Rose, from Alang-alang said.
Not Stopping Here
With the existing facility, Junia assured that he will not stop there.
He and his team are already working on the community museum which will be placed just beside the existing library.
According to Junia, in a few months, they will open the new facility which will house photos, items, and stories of old families of Tolosa. Stories that are gradually being forgotten by the younger generations.
“It mga bata yana damo na it diri maaram han origin han ira family. So, what we will do is we will write to these families, coordinate with them and make a collection of stories that tells the youth han ira tinikangan, han ira roots.”
As of this writing, the exact opening of the museum is still to be announced but Tolosanos of all ages are excited to see what more is at store for them to see.
PHOTOCAPTION: A PROMISING LEGACY. OpinYon Media Advocacies Inc. President Ray Junia (right) and former Congressman Jonathan dela Cruz (middle) and his wife, at the launching of the new San Miguel de Tolosa Community Library and Museum last October 19 at Ocean View Hotel, Barangay Tanghas, Tolosa, Leyte.
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