GAWAD KALINGA- the new hope of Pagadian City
(visit www.gawadkalinga.org
to know more about GK)
by:
Dianna Dignadice
When the vision of Gawad Kalinga unfolded in 1999, many thought it was a crazy idea. But the impossible happened-in just three years; the reality of GK has sprouted in 226 sites all over the country with a few sites in other countries. Now, two sites happen to be in Pagadian City and another site will be realized soon.
In 2001, the GK village of Hope in Paglaum I, Tuburan District, Pagadian City was built by Gawad Kalinga Volunteers (see www.gawadkalinga.org). There were 32 houses given to the GK Beneficiaries. Just as many people outside the CFC Community been roped in as GK partners, another site was made to realize and this site is located at Barangay Nazareth, Pagadian City.
In some people’s mind, building sites in Pagadian is just a totally whacked idea. Many people think that it will be impossible for the Couples for Christ to build such houses. “How can they do that?” Or “Who are they to do that?” Questions that made the community even more aggressive to continue the work. “Is there anything impossible with God? “as told by Tony Meloto, the Gk Director. “We knew that Gk was God-inspired idea. We ourselves never thought that it will be realized. But the evidence of God’s hand is everywhere; we have seen so much transformation in just few months. And the transformation has just been in the way whole communities have been beautified and energized. Hearts have been transformed as well- the hearts of the poor and more important for us in the community, the hearts of the poor and more important for us in the community, the hearts of those who serve.”
Some helpful individuals, known politicians, schools and other organizations also shared their graces and sweats in building the houses in GK Nazareth. With the joint forces of these people, today, twenty two houses stand and occupied by the GK Beneficiaries and more houses are still going on
The CFC Community still never stops dreaming and another site will be made soon in Lala, Pagadian City. There are already four houses in the barangay which were donated by Gov. Aurora E. Cerilles and more will be built soon for there are already many pledges from the hearts of different individuals.
The Gawad Kalinga Youth in Pagadian City dreams and aims to build a GK Youth Village with 50 houses also in Lala. That’s why they come up to the idea of having a REV UP dance competition this coming
March 17, 2007.The proceeds will go to the site. With young minds, they have big dreams and they challenge everyone to be part of the said event
This is God’s greatest challenge to all-that we love the unloved, care for the abandoned and restore the dignity of the poor! This is what God Jesus Christ said when he began his own mission on earth. Why not be part of the GK777? God’s new challenge-why not build 700,000 homes in 7000 sites in 7 years?
If the people recognizes that the heart of GK is love for God, for the country especially in Pagadian City, and for the poor,nothing can stop this vision. If everyone looks on the poor as brothers and sister then, let’s not allow them to remain poor but help liberate them from the slum mentality that afflicts them. Let us be heroes in our own native place-Pagadian City.
View Pictures of the Project:
"the face of the site before the transformation"
Gawad Kalinga Pagadian
Gawad Kalinga is a movement of Filipinos here and abroad who continues to dream, continues to hope of a better future for our children and continues to show their passion fueled by love by becoming heroes of our nation, the Philippines.
Because of this, the vision of lifting our country out of poverty is now a reality. It all started when we launched the Gawad Kalinga 777 which is actually building 700,000 homes in 7,000 communities, in 7 years way back in 2003.
This is not about poverty eradication. GK is all about restoring the dignity to the poor and even to the rich. It is about restoring unity in the country. We want to be the solution to the woes of our country. We want to share our dreams to everyone who have already stopped dreaming for their country. We want to show that there is still hope for the hopeless.
In line with these, the GK Youth, the youth arm of GK, will be having a
dance competition entitled REV
UP, on February 24, 2007 at 6:00 in the afternoon at the City Gymnasium, Pagadian City. It’s objectives are to showcase the given talents of the youth so that their blessing would also be a blessing to others, it will also serve as an avenue to make the youth a part of Gawad Kalinga Isang Milyong Bayani (GK 1MB) that will change the pages of history of our nation, and above all, the proceeds shall go to building houses for the homeless in the GKY Village at the GK Lala, Pagadian City.
We therefore respectfully invite you to be one of the 2006 GKY REV UP Dance Competition Sponsors. Attached is our proposal for your perusal.
We would follow up on this request and be glad to discuss further details should you have any questions. You may also contact us at 09216865698 (text or call) or through email at gk777_pagadian @yahoo.com
Thank you and our prayers will be, for a favorable response.
Proud to be Filipino,
Charlemagne Ryan O. Lerias
GKY-Rev Up!-Marketing Head