On 8 July 2026,Ambassador Dr Smiljana Knezvisited theIskolar Reading Centre, a volunteer-run non-profit organisation located in the municipality of Silang, Cavite province. The centre serves as a vital learning haven. Housed in a facility built through donor support four years ago, the centre provides an enriching environment where around 90 children aged 5 to 14 spend their afternoons. Guided by trained educators and dedicated volunteers, the children engage in reading and guided discussion sessions designed to strengthen comprehension and critical thinking—filling a crucial gap where public library networks remain limited.

Ambassador of Slovenia in Manila Dr Smiljana Knez with the spouse and volunteers at the Iskolar Reading Center |Author Iskolar Reading Centre

During the event, which was attended by local community leaders, Ambassador Knez introduced Slovenia to an audience of 95 children through an interactive presentation and read Ela Peroci's classic tale,Slipper Cat(Muca Copatarica), a story about a gentle cat who takes unkept slippers from children who do not tidy away their belongings, mends them, and returns them once the children learn to be orderly. The young audience actively participated in the post-storytelling discussion, after which Ambassador Knez presented small commemorative gifts to the children. On behalf of the Embassy, she donated copies of Slipper Cat alongside Tone Pavček's iconicMurr the Cat(Maček Muri), a charming tale that follows the daily adventures and relaxed lifestyle of an upright, tidy cat living in a whimsical feline town.

Continuing the literacy outreach, Ambassador Knez visited theCasa de Bambini European Schoolin Bagbaguin, Bulacan on 20 July 2026.Founded two decades ago by a Slovenian-Filipino couple who continue to lead it, Casa de Bambini European School is a private institution that offers a holistic, inclusive education with a European-inspired approach. It stands out for welcoming children with special needs and has recently established a foundation focused on the education and training of persons with special needs. During her visit, Ambassador Knez presented an introduction to Slovenia and donated copies of Slovenian children's classics to the school's library, further cementing cultural ties between the two nations.

Ambassador Dr Smiljana Knez with the founders of Casa di Bambini |Author Embassy of Slovenia in Manila

In addition to these visits, the Embassy expanded its community outreach by donating Svetlana Makarovič’s beloved storySapramouse(Sapramiška), a famous tale about a clever mouse who overcomes various misfortunes, including a broken tooth, with resilience and resourceful help, with an English translation of a novel by renowned Slovenian authorDrago Jančarto theEurope Corner at the Cagayan Provincial Learning and Research Center.

Through these donations, the Embassy aims to spark curiosity about Slovenia while supporting local literacy and inclusive education efforts across the Philippines, while working to strengthen diplomatic, cultural, and economic ties between Slovenia and the Philippines, promoting cross-cultural understanding and educational collaboration