To help foster a love of reading among Pinoy youth, Humanist Alliance Philippines International (HAPI) recently organised a reading room program for the children of HAPI-Bulacan last February 18, 2024. Notably, the program marked the first time that “Nina and the Stars,” authored by the HAPI Scholars, was read by an audience.
The event commenced with an overview of crucial themes, including recycling, waste segregation, and human diversity, which the kids had previously discussed and brainstormed.
During the initial session, the children actively participated, providing thorough responses to questions, and showcasing their understanding of the previously discussed topics. Mutya Valenzuela, HAPI’s Chief Financial Officer, emphasised the importance of sustaining these discussions with children, underscoring their role as individuals who will experience the consequences of environmental impacts in the future.
Valenzuela stressed the significance of discussing recycling and proper garbage disposal with children, stating that this knowledge would help them to make sustainable choices as they mature. This, in turn, would enable them to convey the importance of engaging in activities that prevent climate change to their companions.
“Nowadays, we experience climate change that we should not ignore,” Valenzuela stated. She briefly added that “some adults do not believe in climate change,” underscoring the importance of imparting this knowledge to children at a young age.
Furthermore, the topic of human diversity was addressed. Although the children are already skilled in social interactions, they are also adept at engaging with respect and understanding towards various races, beliefs, qualities, traditions, and abilities. Recognising the importance of familiarising themselves with these aspects is considered a vital component of their personal development. Understanding the reasons behind this familiarity contributes to their growth as individuals.
Lastly, after the discussion, HAPI-Bulacan spread joy by conducting a book reading of “Nina and the Stars” for the children. The book narrates the story of a girl named Nina who is fascinated by the universe and the solar system, sparking curiosity in the children. This curiosity led to a lengthy conversation among the young readers, followed by a question-and-answer portion to gauge their understanding after the book reading.
