Nickel Asia Corporation (NAC), in partnership with the Center for Art, New Ventures & Sustainable Development (CANVAS), has launched the first #AralLakbay program, designed to promote books, art, and history to help children understand the challenges of climate change.
The event was held at the National Museum of Fine Arts in Manila, featuring CANVAS’s 20 Years of Art and Stories exhibit. Employees of NAC and their children took part in activities that included a talk by geologist and author Dr. Alyssa Peleo-Alampay, who wrote the children’s book “I Am the Change in Climate Change.” This was followed by a read-along, an interactive question-and-answer session, and a guided museum tour.
“Our founder, Manuel B. Zamora, believes in the importance of education. He said that it is the greatest equalizer for it gives people a chance to improve their lives and their families,” said JB Baylon, NAC Senior Vice President for Sustainability, Risk, Corporate Affairs, and Corporate Communications. “When we learned that CANVAS is turning artworks into books, we thought to partner with them because we share the same values.”
Parents and participants welcomed the program’s hands-on approach. “I like how projects like this raise awareness in the youth, and the topic of climate change is especially important to understand given the recent flooding we’ve been experiencing,” said Dr. Bimbo Almonte, NAC Assistant Vice President for Health. Ten-year-old Harold James Casiano added, “The activity was amazing, and I learned about global warming, how to take care of the earth… I liked learning about our history for a change.”
CANVAS founder Gigo Alampay highlighted their mission to tackle the literacy crisis in the Philippines by distributing visually rich children’s books. “We have a target of giving away one million books and we have passed the halfway point at 500,000+ books given away, and a lot of it was made possible with supporters like Nickel Asia,” he said.
Through the NAC Foundation, the company continues to support CANVAS in promoting literacy, environmental awareness, and cultural appreciation among children.
Do you think more companies should invest in educational programs that combine art, culture, and climate awareness for the next generation?
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