“Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” — St. Francis of Assisi
The unified efforts of the Rotary Club of Calbayog and Project BIBAY sa Pagbasa during the pandemic did more than just keep the flame of literacy alive—it served as a beacon of hope, firmly rooted in a single, unyielding conviction: Education must continue.
The Realization: Facing the Root of Illiteracy
Our mission took us deep into the hinterlands. In one remote barangay, our team gathered the parents of 15 Grade 1 learners to guide them through the process of beginning reading. We introduced a play-based reading method using laminated materials and magnetic slating boards.
As we demonstrated how to use the slating boards, we were met with a heartbreaking yet beautiful wave of innocence. The parents were completely amazed to see the words vanish with a single swipe of the board. “Hala, nawara an letra!” (“Oh, the letters disappeared!”), they gasped in amazement. Over and over, they played with the boards—writing and erasing with childlike wonder. Our hearts were heavy with sadness realizing how isolated these communities were from such simple tools, yet we felt an overwhelming joy seeing them embrace learning through play.
The true weight of our mission hit us moments later. When we handed out the laminated alphabet and basic sight word sheets, 9 out of the 15 parents held the materials upside down. It was a stark, eye-opening revelation. These parents were non-readers themselves. In that profound moment, we discovered the true root cause of the literacy problem: children cannot easily learn to read at home when their parents cannot read.
Turning Insight Into Action
Driven by this realization, the Rotary Club of Calbayog and Project BIBAY sa Pagbasa vowed to traverse miles and cross borders, shifting our focus to transitioning entire communities into literacy-loving havens.
Our collaborative efforts yielded three major breakthroughs:
- Adult Literacy and Parent-Child Empowerment: Sponsored by Rotary International with a ₱1.2-million funding, we launched an Adult Literacy program targeting 150 parents across 3 barangays identified by the DILG as having the highest illiteracy rates. Parents and children were equipped with Panurundon sa Pagbasa books, school supplies, laminated materials, and slating boards. We also provided honorariums for the dedicated teachers handling the literacy classes.
- The Impact: Caybago Elementary School was officially awarded for achieving a zero non-reader status. Meanwhile, the literacy rates of Capacuhan Elementary School and San Rufino Elementary School increased by 15% and 28%, respectively. Furthermore, at least 80% of Grade 1 teachers received vital technical assistance on early reading instruction.
- Hinterland Community Immersions: We expanded our ground initiatives through direct community immersions in several remote schools, including:
- Mag-ubay Elementary School
- Caybago Elementary School
- Sinantan Elementary School
- Kili-Kili Elementary School
- Danao 1 Elementary School
- Sinidman Occidental Elementary School (including its catchment areas: Nabang Elementary School and Sinidman Oriental Elementary School)
- Inclusion Behind Bars (BJMP Literacy Drive): Believing that literacy knows no walls, our team recently conducted a literacy immersion at the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP). We provided educational support to 77 deprived recipients across various levels, spanning basic literacy, elementary, junior high, and Grades 11 and 12 of senior high school.
The Journey Ahead
Our mission does not end here. Moving forward, the team and the club is set to expand its reach by exploring opportunities in Early Childhood Care and Development (ECCD), continuing our firm support for the Department of Education’s basic literacy programs, opening new avenues for the Alternative Learning System (ALS), and bringing literacy programs straight to orphanages and street children.
Conclusion
“Discover the root cause, start where they are, choose the practical over the theoretical, action over words, and solutions over suggestions.”
This is the ultimate essence of the Project BIBAY sa Pagbasa and Rotary Club of Calbayog’s literacy advocacy. We believe that life achieves its truest value when we put smiles on the faces of those we serve. The best way to paint those smiles is through consistent, compassionate action. Making the impossible possible requires nothing but pure passion—and the heart of our advocacy lies in our consistency to serve.
