For many young Filipinos, youth – the period between childhood and adult age — is a time to discover their dreams and prepare for the future. And for the young partners of the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Tara, Basa! Program, it is an opportunity to serve, learn, and make a difference in their communities.

As the country celebrates Linggo ng Kabataan (Youth Week) this August, the DSWD recognizes the inspiring stories of the Kabataan sa Bagong Pilipinas who have turned their experiences as Tara Basa! tutors and Youth Development Workers (YDWs) into meaningful journeys of service and personal growth.

Roller coaster of learning

For Realyn Duque of Sorsogon City, becoming a tutor under the DSWD’s Tara, Basa! Program was a roller-coaster of experiences.

Studying to be a secondary teacher, Realyn initially thought that the teaching strategies she used with older students would also work with the incoming Grade 2 learners assigned to her. But Realyn soon discovered that teaching younger children required a different level of patience, creativity, and understanding.

“Fulfilling po kapag ang mga bata ay nagpapasalamat sayo everytime na [may] binibigay ka po sa kanilang bagong kaalaman. At the same time, challenging po kasi ako po ay isang secondary teacher. First time ko lang magturo sa mga bata,” Realyn shared to DSWD.

Despite the challenges, the experience allowed Realyn to gain new knowledge and discover the value of volunteerism.

“Ang dami rin pong natulong sa akin ng DSWD at ng Tara, Basa. Nag-gain po ako ng knowledge [at] new experiences. Gusto ko din pong mag giveback [sa community] sa pamamagitan ng pag volunteer,” Realyn said.

The program also helped her pursue another dream — becoming a licensed teacher. The cash-for-training (CFT) assistance she received helped her enroll in a review center in preparation for the Licensure Examination for Professional Teachers (LEPT) this September.

“Nais ko pong pasalamatan ang DSWD. Kung hindi po dahil sa kanilang programa, hindi po nila ako matutulungan. [pati] na ang mga bata, as well as the parents. Ang daming benefits ng Tara, Basa! Program. Nagturo ka na, nagkasahod ka na, natuto ka na, at nagka pera ka pa,” Realyn pointed out.

Turning dream into mission

For Kylie Lanuzo of Bacoor, Cavite, her journey with Tara, Basa! began when she was a second-year college student. Now one of the young Filipinos who served as a YDW and tutor under the program, Kylie considers her experience an important part of her journey towards becoming a teacher.

“Naging inspirasyon [ang Tara, Basa! Program] sa akin para magsikap pa, at matupad ang pangarap kong maging guro,” Kylie said.

For Kylie, however, service does not end when the 20-day tutoring and parenting sessions were completed. As a young person, Kylie believes that she can continue contributing to community development even outside the classroom.

“Ako, itinutuloy ko ang [pakikiisa sa bayanihan] sa pamamagitan ng paggawa ng contents sa journey ko bilang isang future teacher at kwento ng iba pa nating kababayan na patuloy na lumalaban sa buhay,” Kylie shared.

Teaching with empathy

In San Fernando, Romblon, graduating education student Marielle Mayor also found herself challenged in a different kind of classroom. As a YDW assigned to Taclobo Elementary School, Marielle and her fellow volunteers were tasked to facilitate sessions for parents.

“At first, hindi po namin alam kung paano magha-handle ng parents. May takot kami na baka may parent na masungit or masakit magsalita. Nakaka-pressure po talaga,” Marielle shared.

Their five-day capability building activity, however, equipped them with teaching strategies, approaches, and skills in properly handling and communicating with the parents. More than teaching techniques, the 20-day sessions taught Marielle the value of empathy and patience.

Marielle encountered parents who could write but struggled with reading, making her realize that every learner has a different story and learning need.

“Natutunan ko rin pong maging empathetic na tao kasi meron po akong na-encounter na parent na feeling ko po ay doon lang sila sa session namin nakakapag open-up,” Marielle said.

Meanwhile, the cash-for-work (CFW) assistance Marielle received will help support her review expenses, with the remaining amount intended for the needs of her child.

Youth as nation-building partners

The experiences of Realyn, Kylie, and Marielle reflect the important role of the youth in community development and nation-building.

Through DSWD’s Tara, Basa! Program, they were given opportunities not only to teach and serve, but also to develop their skills, pursue their dreams, and understand the communities they seek to help.

Their stories also embody the spirit of Linggo ng Kabataan, an annual celebration held during the week of August 12 alongside International Youth Day.

The observance recognizes the role of young people in local governance, community development, and nation-building, as provided under Section 439 of the Local Government Code of 1991 and Section 30 of Republic Act No. 10742 or the Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act of 2015.

For the DSWD, empowering the youth means providing them with opportunities to participate, learn, and become active partners in building stronger communities.

Through their stories, the Kabataan sa Bagong Pilipinas prove that young people are not merely the future of the nation. They are already active contributors in nation building, leaving a lasting mark as Tara Basa! Program partners. (KB)