Amidst this unprecedented time and the uncertainty of the “New Normal”, we find hope in stories that inspire, transform, and change. IWCUD E-Stories is a virtual project spearheaded by IWC of Uptown Dagupan D379 and the Philippine Red Cross Pangasinan, in partnership with the Department of Education Divisions of Dagupan, San Carlos, and Urdaneta Cities of Pangasinan.
The vision-mission of this project is to share story books, poems, art works, films, podcasts, blogs, vlogs, and/or TED Talks with learners of the DepEd schools, private schools, and the Philippine Red Cross Pangasinan communities using the virtual platform. The hope is to inspire and motivate children and families to dream and aspire for a brighter future, to study and learn more, to serve and build their communities, and to change the world for the better.
The first E-Story, ANGELA’S BATTLE AT HAPPYLAND, is a children’s e-Story Book about HAND WASHING originally written and recorded in English by 14 year-old girls, and translated in Filipino, and other Filipino languages: Pangasinan and Ilocano. It is the story of Angela and her pet dog, Grover, who live in the Kingdom of Happyland, besieged by monsters – the Blorgons. Angela, Grover, and Happyland’s citizens discover the miracle and power of WASHING HANDS to defeat them!

In celebration of GLOBAL HANDWASHING MONTH (October) and instilling in young learners its importance during this time of “New Normal”, the story of Angela through lessons in their virtual classrooms, creatively teaches, inspires and motivates them to help their families and communities continue to be safe and healthy in this time of pandemic. Target date for upload on the DepEd’s Learning Management system (LMS) or the DepEd Commons, and to share with private and public schools in Pangasinan is within this month of October. The aim, through the DepEd Commons, is to share this nationwide. With this creative campaign for global hand washing, we find hope in our world’s “New Normal”.
