In celebration of Get Caught Reading Month, an annual event observed by many organizations around the world to promote literacy and the joy of reading, HAPI-Green organized the “Get Caught Reading Month: HAPI Green Secondhand Books Donation” event in Ilijan, Batangas City.

On May 26th, 2024, amidst the relentless downpour of Bagyong Aghon, representatives from HAPI-Green, Diosa Aguila-Aguirre and Johnny Aguirre, carried out this book donation drive. With book donations from HAPI CEO Angie Driskell, Johnny Aguirre and Diosa Aguila-Aguirre, and support from volunteer Sam Aguila who printed and prepared stickers placed on the donated books, they navigated the challenging conditions to donate a collection of pre-loved books to the newly relocated library of Barangay Ilijan.

Heavy rains and strong winds from the storm disrupted communication lines, leaving them without internet and cellular signal, making coordination difficult. As if that wasn’t enough, a power outage in the area added to the challenges, threatening to disrupt their plans. Undeterred, the HAPI-Green reps pressed on to their destination. Upon arrival, Barangay Chairman Lito Cepillo and Barangay Kagawad Ramon Andal welcomed the team and received the donated books. The diverse collection, featuring authors like Terry Pratchett, Rio Almario, Charles Dickens, and Neil Gaiman, promised to enrich the reading experience for the community of Ilijan.

“[B]ooks that had been read and enjoyed by the first owners, now finding new life and new readers.”

The event successfully promoted literacy and embodied environmental sustainability values. By giving these pre-loved books a new home, the donors decluttered their spaces while contributing to a more sustainable environment. Note that most of the donated books came from the personal collections of the donors themselves; books that had been read and enjoyed by the first owners, now finding new life and new readers. With this donation, the students and library-goers of Ilijan gained access to a broader range of reading materials, opening doors to new worlds of learning and exploration.

HAPI-Green‘s “Get Caught Reading Month” work in Ilijan serves as an example of environmental humanism in action. Despite the challenges posed by the storm, the department’s commitment to environmental humanism contributed to a greener, more literate tomorrow.