READING

is an invaluable skill that opens up a multitude of opportunities for the reader – it is a useful tool for communication and self-learning, but also, a door to the imagination and joy.

While the Philippines’ literacy rate is high, we still have some gaps in functional literacy. While basic literacy means that one can read and understand a simple sentence in any language or dialect, functional literacy is a higher level that includes reading, writing, and numeracy skills.

The 1 Million Books for 1 Million Filipino Children Campaign seeks to bridge the gap from basic to functional literacy by donating CANVAS’ award-winning books to public schools, hospitals, and disadvantaged communities throughout the country. We hope that by marrying beautiful art and stories, children will come to love books and reading, and thus set them on a path of life-long learning.

Our books are penned by Filipino authors and the illustrations painted by Filipino artists, and often come in parallel translations of Filipino and English. To date, we have donated some 300,000 books to children around the Philippines, from Itbayat in Batanes to Zamboanga.

For some of these children, these books are the first they ever own, and it can be life-changing. They can be the first sparks to imagining themselves as successful individuals in the future, or the first steps towards healing and starting anew.

Help us fulfill our dream.

Help us give away one million books to one million Filipino children.

Be a donor, sponsor, or volunteer!

Or simply spread the word.