Scholarship Program: A Continuing Literacy Project of RC Pasay West

6A8748D9 6185 4B10 AB40 F8BFA60C3F45

PP Rey Garcia

This Rotary Year 2021-2022 marked the 13th year of the Scholarship Program of Rotary Club of Pasay West (RCPW). The objective of the program is to help intellectually gifted and deserving students from economically challenged families by giving them financial assistance so they can achieve their dreams of getting a college degree and getting them involved in the Youth Programs of RI, specifically, Interact and Rotaract.

42DD8514 7044 4928 A387 6B130426205E

The program started in 2008 when RCPW in partnership with RC Chung-San of South Korea was awarded a TRF Grant for about 30 scholars from the PUP Laboratory High school. This was followed by sponsorship from Rotarians of RID 2700, Fukuoka, Japan starting in RY 2009-2010. At RID 2700, PP Takechika Arimitsu and Rtn. Yusuki Minami solicit and coordinate with sponsors. Our local service partner is the PCCHS Class 63 Alumni Association.

When the program started in 2008, it admitted 1st year high school students and supported them until they graduated from college provided they meet the academic criteria every school year. Beginning SY 2018-2019, the Japanese Sponsors decided not to accept new scholars unless there is a new sponsor.

BBDEB7EB DC31 4775 BD5A AC85190BCBE9

This Rotary Year, RCPW has 17 scholars. Thirteen are sponsored by the Japanese Rotarians and four (4) by RCPW Rotarians (1 college, 2 elementary and 1 grade 12).

Last SY 2020-2021, PP Bong dela Cruz of RCPW, who is now based in the US, introduced the Filipino American Law Enforcement Officers Association (FALEO). Five scholars qualified and were awarded with financial assistance. This year, 13 students applied. All are members of RCPW-sponsored Rotaract Club of PUP Manila.

86D3A07B AF57 4FC8 AD85 A68404A36746

The principal criteria in selecting scholars are the financial situation of their families and their final grades when they graduated from elementary. RCPW has an academic achievement criterion for them to keep their scholarship grant. Most of them are Dean’s Listers and most if not all graduated with high honors and they are now gainfully employed.

RCPW is committed to help the youth achieve their dreams for a better life through education.