“Where little lessons unlock big opportunities…”
Written by Irene Jen Legeza
BACKGROUND: ARAL MULA SA PUSO, PROJECT MATUTO
It was outside a 7-Eleven one July afternoon when United President Irene Legeza met a boy named Renz, who reached out his hand and asked for spare change—perhaps for food that moment, to save for his baon on Monday, or even to share with his younger cousin. Like many children in the Philippines, he sought coins not just for himself, but for the simple needs of those around him. But something about him was different. His hand extended with gentleness, his words carried respect, and his eyes seemed to hold a future waiting to be unlocked.
Curious, President Irene asked him about his situation, introduced him to Rotaract, and shared what the organization does. When she asked how he would like Rotaract to help his situation, his answer was neither food nor money. Instead, he softly said: “Gusto ko po magbasa.” (I want to learn how to read.)
He explained that his daily earnings from begging were not even enough for a one-way trip to school. Yet in that moment, it was clear: his hunger was not for coins, but for knowledge. That brief encounter sparked the reimagination of Project Matuto. Once held in barangay halls in Novaliches, Quezon City, the project is now carried into the very streets of Tomas Morato—where children dream of opportunities they cannot yet reach.
FROM CLASSROOM TO THE STREETS
The reimagined Project Matuto, an initiative led by the Rotaract Club of Quezon City Mediatech, launched its second year on August 17, 2025, with one student—Renz—and one teacher—United President Irene. Renz received his first Matuto Kit, which included two notebooks (one for literacy and one for numeracy), pencils, erasers, a sharpener, a clear folder, and most importantly, a heart filled with the hunger to learn.
Although Renz was enrolled in a public school, he continued to struggle with the fundamentals of reading and mathematics. In their first session, President Irene gently tested his knowledge and discovered that he could only name the first three letters of the alphabet (ABC). By the end of that very first session, however, he recited the entire alphabet and understood the foundation of its sounds with growing confidence.
At the next session, Renz arrived with his Matuto Kit in hand, eager to learn. The day began with a quick review of the previous lesson. It wasn’t easy for him, but he pushed through and showed progress. Like any child, he was sometimes distracted, and President Irene noticed that he often repeated what was said without fully grasping it. Still, with patience and consistency, she believed the effort would pay off. Little by little, Renz began blending letter sounds together.
The progress may have been small, but every step was a meaningful stride toward success. With dedication and practice, each session becomes a key to a whole new world of opportunities—a reminder that nothing is impossible when you keep going.
WHAT COMES NEXT
On the project’s third week, generous donors responded, enabling the launch of a Sponsor a Scholar program for as little as Php120 per child. The next phase is to secure a safe, consistent location that will foster a love for learning—without replicating the rigidness of school. Project Matuto envisions an environment that is practical, interactive, and personal, where every student can flourish at their own pace.
The dream for Project Matuto is to reach more children with the same hunger, passion, and dedication to learn despite their circumstances, while building a pool of committed Rotaract and non-Rotaract volunteers ready to share what they already know.
WHY PROJECT MATUTO MATTERS
In the Philippines, literacy remains one of the biggest challenges and one of the most critical keys to breaking cycles of poverty. Project Matuto is not simply about teaching children their letters and numbers—it is about giving them the tools to hope, to feel empowered, and to believe that their dreams are within reach. At its heart, the project nurtures a mindset that no aspiration is ever too distant for a child who dares to learn.
A CALL TO ACTION
Most of us in Rotaract already hold the skills to read, write, and do basic math. And that is all it takes to make a difference.
Through one child, one teacher, and one heartfelt Matuto session at a time, we can increase the knowledge of our fellow kapwa and open doors to a future brighter than ourselves. Let us use what we already have, share what we already know—no matter how small. Because in the eyes of a child who longs to learn, even one little lesson is a gift of hope.
