Bansalan-American Inc. (Banami), a US-based group led by Evelyn Bautista-Laguidao, with a counterpart in the Philippines, donated 10 boxes of high school textbooks that were distributed to private and public high schools in this town.

The textbook donations were intended to help improve the quality of learning and study of the students in various fields. The group gives more importance to education, believing it is one means to alleviate poverty in the country, Laguidao said.

Since Banami launched its socio-civic activities in Bansalan in 2006, it has already implemented several undertakings.

Aside from the textbook donation, Laguidao said Banami had given scholarships to 12 elementary public school students. It also gave scholarships to four high school students, and this year, it will grant two college scholarships.

Banami established an Arts Library to encourage beneficiaries to appreciate art works. It also sponsored cultural shows for Bansalenos to teach them to appreciate their cultural heritage.

It conducted its first medical and dental mission in Bansalan last July 22 wherein it served 620 indigenous poor patients.

Just recently, Banami conducted here the first Women Empowerment and Youth Leadership Forum 2008.

The forum aims to empower women, especially working mothers, through leadership trainings that reinforce their roles in their communities and inspire the youths to also become leaders and models in their respective fields.

Banami is an international non-profit, non-partisan, charitable organization based in the US. Founded in 2006 by a group of OFWs (overseas Filipino workers), Banami prefers action to empower and improve the standards of living of Bansalan people.

The youth leadership forum was also hosted by the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) Federation of Bansalan.

Source: Manila Bulletin Provincial News