‘Bangketa Teacher’ Dara Mae Tuazon Hailed As TOP Humanitarian Awardee

UE Student Dara Mae Tuazon’s Inspiring Life Story

DARA MAE TUAZON – University of the East-Manila student Dara Mae Tuazon won The One Philippines (TOP) Humanitarian Award and a P1.5-million cash prize for the projects of the Bangketa Eskwela Inc. (BEI).

There are people who live inspiring life stories that are truly worth recognizing as they do not only live for themselves but they find purpose in helping their fellowmen even in little ways.

One of the Filipinos who actually have an inspiring life story even at a very young age is UE-Manila student Dara Mae Tuazon who found her purpose in teaching the out-of-school youths.

Based on a report in Inquirer, Dara Mae Tuazon was recently awarded as the TOP Humanitarian Awardee and along with it is a P1.5-million cash prize for the future projects of the foundation that she is leading.

Dara Mae Tuazon Teacher
Photo Courtesy of ABS-CBN News

According to the report, speaking to the source, Dara Mae Tuazon revealed that she was 11 years old when she knew that she had to be a teacher after seeing kids in the street.

“I needed to act. I shouldn’t confine myself within the four corners of the classroom; I had to go beyond,” she expressed.

Based on the report, Tuazon photocopied old coloring books and she gathered coloring materials. At a vacant lot in San Fernando, Pampanga, she taught kids with art lessons.

Dara Mae Tuazon
Photo lifted from Inquirer | Matthew Reysio-Cruz

Dara Mae Tuazon enrolled in UE-Manila and she continued to teach out-of-school youths even when she was just a freshman in the institution. Reportedly, the student picked a spot along the Gastambide Street just a few meters from her school and then she gathered some kids.

Dara’s efforts reached the administration of her school and she was later on permitted to conduct cl(–foul word(s) removed–) in one of the classrooms which can be found near the gate.

The fruits of her efforts did not stop at that. Based on the report, the Dean of the College of Education of her school, Evelina Vicencio, proposed a project called the ‘Bangketa UEskwela’ and it is in collaboration with the Office of Extension and Community in the University.

“As the project went on, many people started volunteering, so we decided to turn it into a foundation,” she expressed.

Based on the report, Dara Mae Tuazon’s efforts in teaching the out-of-school youths further led to the Bangketa Eskwela Inc. (BEI). Recently, she won the TOP Humanitarian Award and along with it is a P1.5 million grant for the future projects of the foundation.

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