This year, my brother Tommy and I are doing something really special! We're helping our mum with her birthday fundraiser for her charity, Communities for Nature, to raise money for a cause that’s incredibly important to us: helping to rebuild and improve the library at Bulata Elementary School in the Philippines.

Bulata isn't just a name to us; it's a vibrant fishing community that's been a part of our lives for almost as long as I can remember. Our family has been visiting there almost every year, and it’s a place we truly love. I’ve seen firsthand the amazing work Communities for Nature and Philippine Reef and Rainforest Conservation do there, supporting the community through livelihood, educational, and environmental projects. Every time we visit, we get to reconnect with the community. We visited the school last April and discovered that the school do not have a library!

The school library is so important to us because we know how much it means to the kids there. The library room was badly damaged by Typhoon Odette, and it’s been empty ever since. Imagine not having access to books – many of the students there have never experienced a proper library. We’ve been there, we’ve seen the damage, and we know how much a new library will change their lives.

Our mum and her charity have a target of £5,000 to help transform that empty, damaged room into a welcoming, functional space for learning and growth for the 482 children who attend the school. Tommy and I are helping them achieve that goal!

To kick things off, we will be selling lemonade and cookies at our house during the Bedford Park Open Gardens when people come to visit our garden. But we're also sharing this page with all our friends and family who want to support us in reaching our target!

Here’s what the funds will go toward:

Repairing and refurbishing the library room

Bookshelves and furniture

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

A computer to support digital learning

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

An air conditioning unit to protect the books from mildew, mold, and the effects of being near the ocean

In the Philippines, 91% of 10-year-olds struggle with reading comprehension (World Bank, 2022). This shows just how vital access to books, technology, and safe learning spaces is — it’s a lifeline.

If you’d like to celebrate our mum's birthday with us by supporting this amazing cause, please consider donating. Every little bit helps make a huge difference! And if you have any children's books suitable for ages 6–14 that you'd like to donate, please get in touch with our mum directly – we'd love to give them a new home in Bulata!

with love,

Zoe and Tommy