Dao is a municipality of Capiz province in the Visayan island of Panay in the central Philippines. In 2020, its population totaled 33,842. Capiznon, a variant of Hiligaynon (Ilonggo), is spoken widely. The majority of the populace identify their faith as Roman Catholic. Nearly 80% of the land area is agricultural with rice, corn, sugarcane and coconut as the main crops cultivated.

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A survey found that only 6% of the population have college degrees and 18% are high school graduates. Most are unskilled and perform  low-wage work as tenant farmers, laborers and domestic help. Many marry in their teens and often have large families with meager means to support themselves. Hence, the poverty burden is passed on from generation to generation. The majority struggle just to put food on the table due to very  limited work options.

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Through education, we can offer some of these smart kids a path towards a middle-class life to free themselves and their loved ones from the shackles of poverty.