BAKERSFIELD, CA - Books from Bakersfield are now in the first library on a remote island of the Philippines. It's the work of a local woman who left her native island years ago, but never forgot about the people there, especially the children.
Connie Henderson says collecting books the last three years was her calling. After serving as a missionary, she thought it was time to do something for her tiny hometown of Savilla, where life is basic.
"There is no newspaper. As I grow up, there is no TV, no market, no phone, no cars," said Henderson.
And, there are no libraries. Students had text books in class, but no story time, no Cat in the Hat.
"No, I don't even know there is Humpty Dumpty," said Henderson.
Like a book, everything opened up to her after she moved off the island as a missionary and started a family.
"I start reading to them and I was just surprised that, oh my goodness, there are these books. It is really fun," said Henderson.
That's when her new mission was formed. She collected books and backpacks for three years, boxed them up and sent them from Bakersfield to Savilla.
"When I came here, I saw all of these books available. And, deep in my heart, I want to do something," said Henderson.
With help from sponsors, she shipped the boxes to the Philippines. While it took two months for them to arrive by plane, then boat, Henderson created a make-shift library in the front room of her former parents home.
In June, once the room was stocked with the books from Bakersfield, she invited the kids in.
"They haven't seen such colorful books. No one," said Henderson. "It's fun to see their faces that they are very eager to read."
And Henderson is eager to add to the library. She's collecting more books and donations so she can finish the mission she started.
"God provided everything for the trip and for me it is also a good way for the gospel of Jesus Christ to go back, you know, and they needed to learn that God loves them and that's the most important thing," said Henderson.
Henderson is collecting books and shipping costs. It costs about $80 to send a box. If you'd like to help, you can call her at 872-4657. Her goal is to make another delivery this spring.
Connie Henderson says collecting books the last three years was her calling. After serving as a missionary, she thought it was time to do something for her tiny hometown of Savilla, where life is basic.
"There is no newspaper. As I grow up, there is no TV, no market, no phone, no cars," said Henderson.
And, there are no libraries. Students had text books in class, but no story time, no Cat in the Hat.
"No, I don't even know there is Humpty Dumpty," said Henderson.
Like a book, everything opened up to her after she moved off the island as a missionary and started a family.
"I start reading to them and I was just surprised that, oh my goodness, there are these books. It is really fun," said Henderson.
That's when her new mission was formed. She collected books and backpacks for three years, boxed them up and sent them from Bakersfield to Savilla.
"When I came here, I saw all of these books available. And, deep in my heart, I want to do something," said Henderson.
With help from sponsors, she shipped the boxes to the Philippines. While it took two months for them to arrive by plane, then boat, Henderson created a make-shift library in the front room of her former parents home.
In June, once the room was stocked with the books from Bakersfield, she invited the kids in.
"They haven't seen such colorful books. No one," said Henderson. "It's fun to see their faces that they are very eager to read."
And Henderson is eager to add to the library. She's collecting more books and donations so she can finish the mission she started.
"God provided everything for the trip and for me it is also a good way for the gospel of Jesus Christ to go back, you know, and they needed to learn that God loves them and that's the most important thing," said Henderson.
Henderson is collecting books and shipping costs. It costs about $80 to send a box. If you'd like to help, you can call her at 872-4657. Her goal is to make another delivery this spring.
