From Partner Beneficiary to Independent Learner: An Unang Aklat Success Story

Since 2013, Unang Aklat has fulfilled the mission of Adarna Group Foundation, Inc. (AGFI) to promote the various dimensions of early literacy at the youngest age possible.

Years after participating in Unang Aklat, Mommy Margarita proudly shared that her then-infant daughter, Nessica Jean, is now an avid reader and independent learner in fourth grade. The duo was one of the first stakeholders when the program launched in Samal, Bataan. 

Mommy Margarita and Nessica Jean visited the rural health unit in August 2022.

According to Mommy Margarita, Unang Aklat helped in the development of the child’s reading: “Meron po kaming booklet na galing sa [AGFI], at hanggang ngayon tinitignan niya…Marunong na siyang magbasa…Natuto siyang mag[basa] ng mga libro.” (“She still looks at the booklet given to us by AGFI…She now knows how to read…She learned how to read books.”)

Nessica Jean and her grandmother were present during the launch of Unang Aklat in Samal, Bataan in October 2013. She received a total of seven books and her mother attended a total of five learning sessions for three years.

When asked about the impact of introducing and teaching reading, Mommy Margarita answered that it shaped Nessica Jean into a student who is eager to learn and able to study on her own. “Sa bahay, panay siya nag-so-solve. Sabi niya, ‘Mama, turuan mo nga po ako ng times’ kasi alam niya na ‘yung plus and minus,” (“She keeps solving [math] problems at home. She said, ‘Mama, teach me about times’ because she already knows plus and minus,”) the mother narrated.

Mommy Margarita also fondly looked back on how Unang Aklat guided her in raising Nessica Jean. Quoting her, two learnings from the program that stuck were to practice breastfeeding and to  encourage “paglalaro” (“play”). She continues to share these to teenage pregnant women and mothers in the community.

Health workers discussed and distributed Unang Aklat booklets to Samaleño parents and children under the program in 2022.

Being the next step after Unang Isang Libong Araw, Unang Aklat today capacitates partner communities with the knowledge and resources on early reading and writing to support parents with children up to three years old. The program, which directly taught the parents, was recalibrated to support and guide health workers in facilitating learning sessions to families and distributing developmentally-appropriate books to children. It will consistently upgrade its strategies and expand its reach to ensure a lifetime of reading and learning for more Filipino children like Nessica Jean.