This innovative program not only promotes literacy among young learners but also gives college students the resources they need to take an active role in influencing the future of their communities.

Meet Joshua, a learning facilitator from the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) in Manila. He is also a future educator, and the program served as his learning ground. The education assistance also helped him buy the things he needed for school. 

“Yung benefit ng Tara, Basa! para sa akin bilang Education Major student and as a future educator, ginawa ko siyang training ground para sa akin at sa mga matuturuan kong student in the future,” he said. 

“Nagpapasalamat po ako sa DSWD at DepEd para sa programang Tara, Basa! dahil nakatulong ito sa aming gastusin at pambili ng school materials,” he added.

Another qualified learning facilitator is Zandra, a college student from the Unibersidad de Manila (UdM) in Manila. It has opened up an opportunity for her to assist struggling readers while providing a temporary source of income. Zandra is also glad to help her parents with school expenses. 

“As a student, may books po kami na kailangan. Ito po siguro yung way namin to help our parents, na yung mga needs po namin hindi na kailangang hingiin dahil nakapag-provide na po kami due to Tara, Basa!” she said.

Along with the learning facilitators, 'youth development officers,' who are college student volunteers, will lead “Nanay-Tatay-Teacher” sessions on successful parenting. These sessions will include issues like recognizing oneself as a parent, the dynamics of the Filipino family, difficulties in parenting, child development, and children's rights, among other things.

The tutoring program is piloted in the National Capital Region's (NCR) sole municipality of Pateros, as well as the cities of Caloocan, Valenzuela, Malabon, Navotas, Manila, Mandaluyong, Makati, Pasay, Las Pinas, Quezon City, Marikina, San Juan, Pasig, Taguig, and Las Piñas.