July 12, 2026 | Sunday
Malao-a Calantas Elementary School, Brgy. Malao-a, Tayabas City, Quezon
Creating lasting impact begins when people come together with a shared purpose to serve.
The Rotaract Club of Lucena South, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Lucena South, proudly launched Project H.O.P.E. (Helping Others through Purpose and Empowerment) on July 12, 2026, at Malao-a Calantas Elementary School in Brgy. Malao-a, Tayabas City, Quezon.
As the club’s Rotary Year 2026–2027 Kick-Off Initiative, Project H.O.P.E. brought Rotary’s Seven Areas of Focus together through a one-day community outreach designed to promote health, education, environmental stewardship, and community empowerment.
Empowering Students, Parents, and Educators
The initiative aimed to equip children, parents, and educators with practical knowledge, healthy habits, and sustainable skills that can contribute to healthier families, safer schools, and more resilient communities.
A total of 36 students, 26 parents, and 11 teachers and school staff directly benefited from seven integrated service projects addressing key areas of community development.
The Seven Flagship Projects
- Project Respecto — An anti-bullying campaign promoting kindness, respect, and safer learning environments, presented by President Patrick Norman E. Nadera.
- Project Go, Grow and Glow — A feeding program combining nutrition education and growth monitoring, facilitated by PP Vincent Panopio and PN Claude Garcia.
- Project I Have Two Hands — A proper handwashing discussion and demonstration led by Club Adviser PP Paul Armhel F. Escobar, promoting healthy hygiene practices among learners.
- Project MINDS (Mental Health Integration and Nurturing Development for Students) — A session focused on mental health awareness and emotional well-being, facilitated by PP Karen Jane Montero.
- Project Smart Organic Farming / GreenPlate — A greenhouse management and operations seminar alongside an orientation on the school's vegetable garden, discussed by Secretary Dexter Z. Landicho.
- Project Basura Ko — An environmental awareness campaign promoting proper waste segregation through the use of color-coded bins, facilitated by Prospect Member Rick Anthony Misiera.
- Project Kikíta si Nanay — A livelihood opportunity session designed to empower parents through practical income-generating ideas, presented by Treasurer Misha Nadera.
Turning Knowledge Into Action
Project H.O.P.E. went beyond discussions and presentations by providing resources that could support the school’s existing programs.
The initiative donated agricultural tools, vegetable seeds, alcohol dispensers with alcohol, and trash bins to help strengthen the school's health, environmental, and agricultural initiatives.
Participants also received fresh vegetables, reinforcing the importance of healthy eating while demonstrating how sustainable food production can contribute to community well-being.
These resources were intended to help transform the lessons shared during the outreach into practices that could continue within the school and at home.
Seven Areas of Focus, One Shared Purpose
By bringing seven service projects together under one initiative, Project H.O.P.E. transformed Rotary’s Seven Areas of Focus into tangible community action.
From bullying prevention and mental health awareness to nutrition, hygiene, sustainable agriculture, environmental responsibility, and livelihood development, the initiative addressed different aspects of community well-being while creating opportunities for students, parents, and educators to learn and participate together.
The knowledge shared, healthy practices promoted, and resources provided can continue to benefit the school community long after the activity, creating opportunities for lasting impact in education, health, environmental awareness, and community development.
Creating Hope Through Service
Project H.O.P.E. demonstrated that meaningful change does not always begin with a large-scale intervention. Sometimes, it begins with a conversation, a lesson, a donated resource, or an opportunity for someone to learn a new skill.
The Rotaract Club of Lucena South extends its heartfelt appreciation to the Rotary Club of Lucena South, dedicated members, volunteers, sponsors, partners, school officials, teachers, parents, and the entire Malao-a Calantas Elementary School community for making the initiative possible.
Together, through shared purpose and collective action, we continue to Create Lasting Impact.