Local nonprofit ships books to Philippines
With a goal to fill 200 libraries in the Philippines in 20 years, more than 15,000 books were loaded onto tractor-trailers Friday afternoon, bringing a local nonprofit closer to reaching its mark.
The 7 Degrees of Change Foundation started its mission in 2009 with a goal of promoting global literacy while instilling a love for learning and providing educational opportunities for people in the Philippines.
Paul Norcross, chairman of the foundation, said to date the nonprofit is on target to reach its goal, having shipped more than 150,000 books to the Philippines since 2009.
“We’re on target to get 200 libraries filled with books by the 20-year mark,” he said. “We fill the libraries with books, and if someone needs training, we facilitate that. It was slow-going at first with getting legislation passed and things like that, but now there’s a buzz about it, and other municipalities want them. It’s really starting to catch on.”
The nonprofit is set to ship another three containers to the Philippines in the first quarter of next year.
Norcross, who spent much of his childhood in the Philippines and visits regularly, said about 20 percent of the country’s workforce works out of country sending money back to their families.
“They need to be able to speak English. That’s why it’s so important for their economy to have these books, so they have English curriculum and can continue mastering the language,” he said.
The books donated to the Philippines are salvaged from local libraries and schools, Norcross said.
“I’ve got binders and binders of thank you notes from kids for these books that have stamps inside that say ‘High Point Public Library salvage,’” he said. “Things that we take for granted opened up a whole new world for these kids.”
For more information about the 7 Degrees of Change Foundation visit 7degreesofchange.org.