MV Doulos: Floating Library

The Department of Tourism (DOT) has announced that the famed floating library MV Doulos has come back with more books for literature-loving Filipinos.

Tourism Secretary Ace Durano led in welcoming the vessel and its crew volunteers when the ship’s advance preparation team met with DOT for its final Manila stop on March 6 to 30.

“We are honored to once again host the legendary ship that brings with it a commitment to knowledge and service to people all over the world. A great display of community tourism and a strong spirit of volunteerism are keeping the MV Doulos afloat,” said Durano.

The MV Doulos, called “our home port in Asia” by former ship captain Ashley Macdonald was supposed to have paid its final visit in Manila in December 2007.

Macdonald acknowledged the vessel has spent much longer time in the Philippines compared to other East Asian countries.

After a series of discussions and considerations with the management, the educational ship decided to extend its time in Asia which has a stronger need for its services rather than going over to other continents.

The MV Doulos has welcomed on board more than 20 million people from over 100 countries in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East and many island-nations.

It was in Cebu from Jan. 8 to Feb. 10 and will be in Bacolod starting today until March 3.

While in Cebu, the volunteers tutored 36 hearing-impaired students of Lapu Lapu Central Elementary School. The students visited the ship where they made use of books and other teaching aids.

Prior to the lessons, the kids were taught wood-working, welding, and soap-making at their school.

According to DOT Undersecretaary for Planning and Promotions, Eduardo Jarque Jr.: “We are pleasantly surprised with their return, specially after bidding us a saddening farewell more than a year ago. This is great news to the youth most of all who have been inspired with their visit to the ship, meeting dedicated volunteers and discovering rare books.”

All 330 crew volunteers on the ship received no compensation, choosing to spendtwo years on board with the mission of reaching out to underprivileged communities.

As a non-profit outfit, the MV Doulos relies on funding from private supporters, corporations, community groups, trusts, foundations and lastly from the sale of books and other items on the ship.

The books on sale range from thousands of titles covering subjects, such as Science, Sports, Hobbies, Cookery, Christian Living, Arts, Philosophy, and Children’s Literature, among others.

While most of the books are in English, one can also find books in other languages. The books are supplied by recognized and respected publishers in the UK and USA. The floating Book Fair is open to the general public.

Another highlight of the ship’s program is the “International Night”, a colorful and enjoyable evening of music, cultural dance and song from some of the countries represented by the Doulos crew and staff.