For hundreds of families across the Bicol Region, the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) Tara, Basa! Program has become much more than a source of financial assistance.

From providing tutorials for struggling learners to conducting parenting sessions and creating meaningful opportunities for college students, the program is helping build stronger families while nurturing the next generation of educators and community leaders.

Under the program, college students are provided with cash-for-work/cash-for-training incentives as tutors and youth development workers (YDWs), while parents attending the sessions are compensated for their time while also learning.

Learning beyond the classroom

For Sally Dente of Barangay Kimantong in Daraga town in the province of Albay, the financial aid greatly helped ease the family’s educational expenses. But the greatest benefit for Sally was the lessons she learned as a parent.

“Nakakatulong siya. Yung financial needs kasi, yung Php4,700 na yun, maidadagdag namin yun sa mga pangangailangan namin sa school… Sa akin, given na lang yung incentives, pero yung focus ko talaga dito ay yung learnings, especially sa akin na parent,” Sally said.

Having participated in the program twice with two of her children, Sally said the parenting sessions taught her valuable lessons on responsible parenting, family management, and building stronger relationships with fellow parents.

“Although wala pa silang experience (sa pagtuturo), pero nag-e-enjoy kami sa classroom kasi ang dami naming natututunan. Yung pagiging responsible na parent, kasama rin kasi yun sa tinuturo ng Tara, Basa! Program. Nakaka-gather din kami ng mga friends. Ang dami naming na-share na learnings, thoughts, at kahit mga problema,” Sally said.

Sally hopes though that more families will continue to benefit from the initiative.

“Thank you so much sa DSWD. Napakalaking tulong po. Sana magtuloy-tuloy po ang Tara, Basa! Program,” Sally happily said.

The same experience was shared by Sharamay Sapaula of Virac, Catanduanes, who initially joined because of the free tutoring sessions and parenting activities.

“Na-engganyo akong sumali kasi may libreng tutor para sa mga bata at may parenting session. May kaunting tulong din kaming matatanggap bilang mga magulang na malaking bagay po para sa amin,” Sharamay said.

Soon after they started the 20-day program, Sharamay noticed the positive changes in her child.

“Ang napansin ko sa aking anak noong sumali siya sa programa ay lagi siyang excited na matatanggap niyang star galing kay teacher. Palagi na rin siyang nagbabasa ng libro,” Sharamay shared.

Deonna Torrente Ariate, another parent-beneficiary from Virac, said the program strengthened not only her parenting skills but also her relationships with fellow parents.

“Ang pinakahindi ko malilimutan ay ang bonding naming mga parents. Dahil sa Tara, Basa! Program, nakaramdam ako ng kasiyahan habang kami ay nag-aaral,” Deonna said.

As the sessions progressed, balancing household responsibilities became easier for Deonna, and more importantly, her relationship with her child improved.

“Maraming nagbago sa akin bilang magulang katulad ng pagpapakita ng pagmamahal at atensyon, pati na ang pakikinig sa anak,” Deonna said as she reflected on her experience.

Building future educators

As parents and children gained new knowledge, the Tara, Basa! Program also became a valuable learning experience for the college students who served as tutors and YDWs.

Alexia Pelonio, a student from Bicol University assigned to Matnog Elementary School, volunteered during the summer which became an opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to her community while developing her professional skills.

“Nag-volunteer ako since summer naman ngayon naisip ko, what if i-maximize ko na lang yung time,” Alexia recalled.

As a YDW, Alexia said she quickly realized that the role required far more than teaching learners how to read.

“Parang you wear many hats. Hindi lang isa. Napapalabas din yung ibang skills mo, nae-enhance, kaya grateful naman ako kasi magandang experience ito,” Alexia said.

Beyond gaining valuable experience related to her future profession, she said the program also allowed student volunteers to become active partners in addressing one of the country’s longstanding education challenges.

“Bukod sa meaningful experience, maganda na may makukuha ring benefits kasi may mga gastusin din. Grateful ako na naging parte ako ng nation-building. Alam naman natin na yung literacy rate ay isa sa mga kinakaharap na issue sa ating bansa, at ang ganitong programa, kapag ipinagpatuloy, ay makakatulong talaga sa bawat pamilya at sa mga anak nila,” Alexia said.

For families and student volunteers alike, the Tara, Basa! Program has proven that investing in children’s literacy also means investing in parents, communities, and the next generation of leaders who will continue building a brighter future for Filipino learners. (CC)