One of the biggest problems our country face is the issue on poverty. However through the dedication and efforts our fellow citizens and the kind gestures of many people across the globe, we continue to hold on to the dream of achieving a slum-free country. Many active movements and organizations in the country have shown great devotion in empowering people in order to achieve a better future and among these is Gawad Kalinga.
The humble beginnings of Gawad Kalinga (GK) started back in 1995, when Couples for Christ active member and GK founder Antonio Meloto or “Tito Tony” felt the strong need to work with the poor. He initiated youth development programs for gang members and juvenile delinquents in Bagong Silang, Caloocan City, one of the metro’s biggest slum areas then. This first youth camp eventually evolved to what is globally recognized today as Gawad Kalinga, a world-class Philippine-based community movement that aims to restore human dignity and eradicate poverty through the help of its devoted volunteers. Through social interaction development, perseverance and sacrifice, the first Gawad Kalinga home was built for the Adduru family in 1999. A year after, the first GK villages outside of Bagong Silang were established together with the implementation of other programs for child and youth development, community building, shelter and health programs. Throughout the years, Gawad Kalinga has helped the underprivileged develop their potential to its fullest.
Gawad Kalinga has provided a bridge – creating a sound relationship between the rich and the poor. The tipping point of Gawad Kalinga happened in 2004 when private, public sectors, corporations and prominent individuals set their differences aside and embraced the vision in transforming communities in the Philippines. At present, social activities like reconstruction, social entrepreneurship, peace building and township development to name a few, cater to the social improvement of the individuals and the community as a whole.
The expansion of GK initially started in Jakarta, Indonesia through a youth education program then in 2009 GK expanded further in other countries. The movement is put into action in about 2,000 communities in the Philippines and other developing countries like Cambodia and Papua New Guinea to name a few. Every GK village is a society that embodies a (1) faith community, giving residents the right to practice their own religious beliefs in an environment where there is mutual respect; (2) peace zone, where neighbors live in solidarity with each other; (3) tourist spot, recognizing the sense of beauty and order as a vital aspect in each and every dignified human abode; (4) productivity center, having put into proper use both human and natural resources in order to keep up with the community’s development; (5) environmentally healthy community, where residents exercise the proper use and conservation of their surroundings; (6) empowered community, where its residents are actively engaged in administering activities of their village as part of their daily routine; (7) and a secured community with individuals accurately educated and trained to respond accordingly in the event of any misfortune to preserve every life and property. Each GK village is driven by the very core of GK – the caretaker team. Without these amazingly noble leaders who face many of the most difficult tasks of overlooking and leading the programs and the entire community, GK wouldn’t exist. These programs alone wouldn’t be a success too without the efforts of committed volunteers from different parts of the country and across the world, the various acts of giving, internship and research.
Among the big projects of GK is the GK777, launched in 2003 at the first ever GK Expo in Taguig City. Its mission is to build 700,000 homes in 7,000 communities in 7 years. This was followed by partnering with National Disaster Coordinating Council, Department of Social Welfare and Development and several local government units and together, they launched a program to build free homes to those affected by typhoon. GK has also established training and learning center – the Gawad Kalinga Builders Institute. And in 2009, GK proudly introduced GK2024, a 21-year vision that development guide would help transform the Philippines to a First World country.
The Filipino spirit of bayanihan is what keeps GK going. It is through this, that harmonious relationships are created thus providing an avenue for growth of individuals, families and countries all over the world.
Imagine this: each individual embracing the same dream and together taking one small step at a time therefore accomplishing one big achievement for all. Through compassion we gain better perspectives of what is happening around us. The simple acts of kindness that each of us can offer could go a long way in ending poverty for millions of families.
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