Bahaginan Publishing House officially launches “Sandali Lang… Madali Lang!,” a children’s book designed to help Filipino children develop the habit of proper handwashing.
The habit-forming storybook features an original song that children can sing to make handwashing easier for them to remember and practice every day.
Storytelling advocate and Bahaginan Publishing House founder Rey S. Bufi said that children learn best through stories, songs, and play.
“We wanted to create a book that educates and entertains while also helping build a life-saving habit that children, their families and communities can carry with them wherever they go,” added Bufi, who has devoted more than 20 years to advancing storytelling as a catalyst for learning, connection, and social transformation.
This August, the book’s co-authors Rey S. Bufi and Divine Gil Reyes, illustrator Gelo Andres, and designer Harry Monzon will lead a storytelling activity and a partnership signing ceremony in Makati City.
In collaboration with the City Government of Makati, its Museum and Cultural Affairs Office led by City Tourism Head Bambi Manosa-Tatjuco, Museo ng Makati, and the Department of Education Division of Makati City led by Superintendent Dr. Ma. Evalou Concepcion A. Agustin, the team will introduce to students, teachers and parents the lessons about proper handwashing through the book and song accompanied with fun, simple and memorable actions.
The handwashing song entitled “Tamang Paghugas ng Kamay” was written and performed by Divine Gil Reyes, with music produced by Loudbox Productions.
Committed to producing habit-forming storybooks that help children develop positive values and everyday life skills, Bahaginan Publishing House partnered with Schools for Education, Environment and Sustainability (SEEDS), a Belgium-based non-government organization that promotes access to safe water, sanitation, hygiene education, and sustainable community development.
Through “Sandali Lang… Madali Lang!,” both organizations hope to make quality educational materials on hygiene more accessible to Filipino children and school communities across the country. SEEDS founder Jo Bacallo is also the book’s co-publisher.
Studies show that proper handwashing remains to be one of the simplest and most effective ways to prevent the spread of waterborne and infectious diseases.
Rey S. Bufi, who is also co-lead convenor of storytelling champion Kuwentista Movement, hopes that the storybook “Sandali Lang… Madali Lang!” along with Bahagainan Publishing House’s partners and supporters could inspire children and entire communities to practice proper hygiene consistently, not because they are told to do so, but because the habit has become enjoyable and meaningful.
Recently, Bahaginan Publishing House, a social enterprise that creates storybooks designed to inspire lifelong learning and positive habits among children, successfully published its first book, Saan-Saan, which encourages children to develop a love for reading.
A nationwide series of storytelling activities including book donations, workshops and lectures follows. For more information and to know how partner, like and follow facebook.com/BahaginanPublishingHouse, email reysbufi@bahaginan.com, or visit www.bahaginan.com.