"The more you read, the more you know.
The more that you learn, the more places you'll go." - Dr. Seuss
HISTORY
Bagong Kulturang Pinoy, Inc. was founded by Rowena Jimenez “as a personal dream that snowballed into a vision shared by many people.” In 1997, during an extended stay in the Philippines, Jimenez witnessed the neighborhood children’s curiosity and interest in the picture books her children had brought with them from the U.S. It was as if the books were "the greatest novelty in the world." This realization prompted her to set up a read-aloud program in her own living room in Barangka, Marikina.
Upon her return to Massachusetts in 1998, Jimenez gathered the support of friends to launch a literacy nonprofit. A $20,000 seed money was donated by a friend. Lilibeth Aristorenas, Judi Babcock and Ralph Hammond, a Rotarian and retired elementary school principal, were some of the founding members. Lilibeth recruited Alice Quilicot to head BKP in the Philippines. Lilibeth, Judi and Ralph served on the first board and for many years afterwards. In time, BKP, Inc. obtained its official status as a 501(c)3 nonprofit whose mission is to encourage a reading culture among poverty-stricken children in the Philippines.
In 1999, the first BKP library was inaugurated in Daraga, Albay. In 2000, BKP Philippines was established with Alice Quilicot, an employee of Adamson University, appointed as Director. BKP Philippines is tasked with monitoring the progress of the libraries, overseeing the training of teachers and volunteers in read-aloud methodologies, and collaborating with other nonprofits with similar missions. Inspired by BKP’s vision, BKP New York was founded by Lorna Messina Hussein and Frederick Quijano in 2009 as an independent chapter. The establishment of BKP California followed in 2010, led by Carolina Clemente Leap and Darlene Rabena.
BKP and its chapters have supported over 500 schools and community libraries throughout the Philippines since 1999. It has forged partnerships with organizations around the world, including Rotary International, Peace Corps, Lions Club, and continues to reach out to friends who share its belief that reading is the key to a strong education and that a strong education is the key out of poverty to a limitless future. BKP is supporting hundreds of schools, day care centers and community libraries today. Several applications to support new schools and community libraries are being processed. If you would like to sponsor a school or community library, please get in touch with us.