I
have dreamt for a big house, a mansion indeed but when I got the chance to
stepped into an Aeta’s community I’m ashamed to them because this people, just
simply wish and dream for the so called “Home.”
And that is the mission of Gawad Kalinga, to build homes for the
homeless, land for the landless, and food for the hungry. Gawad Kalinga is the
hope of our nation, the channel to uplift the lives of our countrymen who are
deprived of their humane rights; the rights to have a home, to own a land, and
to restore their dignity.
One
of my best December is when I have attended GK 2009. I was encouraged by Ate Jill, our Chapter
Head in SFC Qatar. At first, I
have had a second thought because the time that I’m going to spend with my
family will be lessen for that trip because the GK site in Tarlac is very far
from Bohol. My parents were not even
happy about the idea because they are afraid I will not be able to come back
and spend New Year’s Eve with them. I
also had hesitations myself but I have convinced them to let me go. Yet at the end, it was all worth it and there
were no regrets at all. I have attended
GK build in Tarlac all the way from Bohol.
We have stayed for two days and one night. On our first day, we were able to finish
three foundations of a house under the heat of the sun. It was a very tiring day, we carry and filed hallow
blocks, we shake heavy cement and sand “at talagang nagbanat ng buto.” But when you will see the twinkle in the eyes
of those children there, I will tell you “all our labors have been paid off.”
And we can proudly say that we are part of their homes, we just shared our
sweats and labor of our love.
We also
had a chance to mingle and play with the children on our second day and the
happiness was incomparable. One day, I
will go back again to experience their joy and share with their laughter. Those children are deprived of all the
luxuries this world can offer yet you can see contentment in their eyes, a
piece of bread or a shirt can bring smile to their faces. Yes, they only have simple wish, simple
dreams and simple living. Gawad Kalinga
opened up my eyes and made me appreciate all the things that I have. I’m raised from a poor family, but I never
thought that there are still poorer than us, even poorest of the poor.
Just then I have realized how blessed I am,
how blessed you are for being privileged enough to enjoy all the comforts in
life. Despite all that, we can still see
different faces of greediness in our society. GK renewed me not only
emotionally but also spiritually, it helps unleashed the selfishness in me. And makes me believe that God send us to
places, meet certain people and let us experienced things that will awaken and
made us realized our real purpose on earth.
It has been said “we are where God wants us to be.”
Gawad
Kalinga is a breakthrough in our country, it gives hope, changes lives, and
changes hearts. It even influenced my
outlook in life that we should impart ourselves to others, our time, and our
resources because it’s a blessing from God and it will never be a blessing
unless it is being shared. We need to be
aware of others concern, we have to learn to embrace our responsibility for our
community and the society where we belong.
And I can say that in my own little way I was able to be part of GK and
it’s your turn to share yourself to those people who needed it most and Gawad
Kalinga is one of the best way to do so.
We
must join hands to improve the quality living of our brothers and sisters
through Gawad Kalinga, and we have to strengthen our faith that we can attain a
better country to live in.
Gawad
Kalinga care and share, we must care and share, you have to care and share, be
an advocate of Gawad Kalinga!
