Project collects books to help Philippine schools in need

from the Florida Times Union

Doreen Flippen of the Southside came from a family of Filipino educators and was alarmed at a report that cited the following statistics about Philippine education: one in seven students doesn't have a classroom; one in five doesn't have a desk; two to eight students share a single set of textbooks and one in three doesn't have a single textbook.

In an online discussion with Filipinos around the world, she learned that they, too, wanted to do something. Nine "online friends" from the U.S., Japan, Australia and the Philippines formed the nonprofit Move On Philippines International (www.moveonphil.org).

Roy Vicente of Memphis became the first president and Flippen the chief financial officer.

They provide used books, refurbished computers and school supplies for poor Filipino children. The nonprofit has helped more than 100 Filipino public schools and two Learning Resource Centers in remote Mindanao.

Flippen's home became the warehouse for boxes of donated books. The UNF Filipino Student Association and others volunteer by sorting and packing books.

Flippen visited schools in remote areas of Mindanao, where MOP had sent books collected from Jacksonville schools.

"While I was delighted to know that the books are helpful and students are using them, I was incredibly saddened and disturbed by the gut-wrenching poverty in the villages we visited. Many of the children go to school on an empty stomach; almost all of them walk miles to and from school," said Flippen.

"What I saw, heard and learned during my visit changed my life because I realized that my small efforts through MOP are giving hope to those who are on the brink of giving up."

Flippen moved to Jacksonville in 1985. She is vice president for administration with the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations, a national philanthropic organization.

"By being part of an organization like the Jacksonville Asian American Alliance, I've learned to appreciate the differences among us, to keep an open mind and to listen more to people. Doing volunteer work makes me feel I am part of the community."

Teaching tennis and more

Ortega resident Ann Clements wanted to help kids so she went to the Malivai Washington Kids Foundation, which promotes academic achievement and positive life skills in Jacksonville youths through the game of tennis.

Clements, a talented player herself who attends Episcopal High School, where she is involved in tennis and dance, became a tennis coach to the at-risk students. Soon she became involved in teaching two reading classes for eight remedial students who have difficulties with their studies.

To teach those classes, she must set and follow a curriculum while adjusting the classes to the progress of the students.