TM: Basic Speech 2

“I can be on of the best neurosurgeons and save hundreds of lives, but I can be a full-time worker for GK and save thousands and even millions of lives.” says Paolo Domondon, a Magna cum laude from De la Salle University who postponed medical school scholarships in the US to become a GK full-time worker. He is just one of the countless volunteers who believe in this movement called GAWAD KALINGA.

Gawad Kalinga (GK) translated in English means “to give care”, and is an alternative solution to the blatant problem of poverty not just in the Philippines but in the world. GK’s vision for the Philippines is a slum-free, squatter-free nation through a simple strategy of providing land for the landless, homes for the homeless, food for the hungry and as a result providing dignity and peace for every Filipino. Together with its partners, GK is now in the process of transforming poverty stricken areas with the goal of building 700,000 homes in 7,000 in 7 years (2003-2010). To date, GK is in over 900 communities all over the Philippines and in other developing countries.

You may have heard about GK before and for sure the first thing that pops out of your minds is building houses. Contrary to popular belief, GK is more than just that. Providing a decent home is just the beginning of the transformation of the people and the community.

Speaking of houses, building colorful, durable and secure homes is under the program called TATAG. This program also provides other physical structures such as pathwalks and drainage systems, water and toilet facilities, a school, a livelihood center, a multi-purpose hall, clinic, and even basketball courts and libraries in some areas.

Another is a three-tier Child & Youth Development program. GK provides value based education for pre-school children, aged 3 to 6 years old through its program called SIBOL. For street children of elementary age, from 7 to 13 years old, they are provided with academic tutorials, sports and creative workshops as well as a very solid values formation program through a program called SAGIP. And through the SIGA program, those with mental aptitude are provided scholarships for higher education. There is also a strong youth rehabilitation program where juvenile delinquents are provided with a range of activities to help them live productive lives without committing them to rehab institutions.

GK also has a health program, aptly named LUSOG. Malnutrition especially among children is addressed and arrested not just through feeding programs but also through parent education regarding proper nutrition and hygiene. The families’ health profiles are also monitored.

Yet another GK program is GAWAD KABUHAYAN, where GK conducts livelihood and skills training, provides start up capital and materials for microfinance and micro-enterprise, and assists in the marketing of the GK communities’ products. Food self sufficiency is highly encouraged by teaching technology for backyard farming, urban agriculture and poultry raising.

GK also empowers the communities in caring for their environment, as the environment reflects its people. The communities are educated about solid waste management and tree planting, and are provided with clean, potable water. Finally, through the MABUHAY program, every GK community is hoped to become tourist spots, showcasing the best of the Filipino--warmth, hospitality, and the many colors and dimensions of our rich culture.

Wow, that surely is a lot of work! How is GK pulling it off?

The answer can be summed up in one word: VOLUNTEERISM. GK’s driving force lies on the volunteers, who are selflessly devoting their own time and resources to initiate work without expecting outside funding or support. Everyone from all walks of life is participating, from professionals and even common folks. The government has also recognized GK’s efforts, and has given support. In February 2002, Pres. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo gave a P30M grant to build 1,000 houses. Even local and multi-national corporations are engaging with GK propelling the movement into a massive scale. Companies like Lexmark are taking part of this initiative, including it on its corporate social responsibility programs. GK also launched in 2005 GK 1MB (Isang Milyong Bayani or one million heroes), the urgent call for massive volunteerism in GK communities where ordinary citizens are asked to render at least 4 hours a month in community service.

One million volunteers. You could just imagine how much work can be done with that number. Yet you may ask: what drives these number of people to lend a hand to someone they’re not even related to? Why is GK doing this?

Looking back, this program started off as a rehabilitation program for the juvenile gangs of Bagong Silang, Caloocan City in Dec 26, 1995 conducted by Couples for Christ. Among the participants were some of the most notorious gang members in the area. Though the CFC team won over the hearts of the hardened youth, they soon realized that it cannot change the slum behavior unless there is transformation of the slum environment.

The different programs of GK evolved as a response to the insight that the young have very slim chances of succeeding even with access to scholarship opportunities unless their whole community is transformed – land for the landless, homes for the homeless and food for the hungry. GK addresses the root cause of poverty – not simply the absence of money but an absence of shared values, sense of community and higher purpose. The way I see it, GK believes and hopes that this vision is shared by its volunteers.

We need not to be neurosurgeons like Paolo, nor do we need to quit our jobs. Even as we are, we can lend a hand. Anyone can help and is invited to join. Hand in hand, one step at a time, we can put more thrust to achieving this goal of nation building. Will you heed the call? Cause I did!

Toastmaster of the Night…


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I am yet to come up with a title for this piece. Anyway, the information from here came from http://www.gawadkalinga.org/, GK's official site.