This year, for my birthday, I’m raising funds for a cause close to my heart — helping rebuild and improve the library at Bulata Elementary School, one of the project sites of Communities for Nature.

Bulata is a vibrant fishing community in the Philippines where we are already supporting through livelihood, educational and environmental initiatives - and it's a place close to my heart. During our visit last Easter, my family and I had the opportunity to reconnect with Bulata Elementary School, a familiar and vital part of the community.

We are raising funds to help rebuild the library at Bulata Elementary School in the Philippines — a school serving 482 children in a coastal village we work with through Communities for Nature. The library room was damaged by Typhoon Odette and has remained empty ever since. Many of the students have never had access to books, let alone a real library.

We are aiming to raise £5,000 to help transform the empty, damaged library room into a welcoming, functional space for learning and growth.

The funds will go toward:

• Repairing and refurbishing the library room

• Bookshelves and furniture

• A collection of age-appropriate books (ages 6–14)

• A computer to support digital learning

• A soft play area to promote children’s well-being and development

• An aircon unit that protects the books from mildew, mould and effects of being near the ocean

In a country where 91% of 10-year-olds struggle with reading comprehension (World Bank, 2022), access to books, technology, and safe learning spaces is more than a luxury — it’s a lifeline.

This is more than just a rebuild — it’s an opportunity to give these children a space that nurtures curiosity, imagination, and resilience. A place where they can discover the joy of learning and build brighter futures for themselves and their community.

If you’d like to celebrate my birthday with me, please consider donating. And if you have books suitable for children aged 6–14 that you’d like to contribute, feel free to get in touch with me directly — we’d love to give them a new home in Bulata.