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A R T I C L E S
| GK CORNER
Launching of Davao City Youth GK Village
by RP Tesoro
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February 25 is a remarkable day to all Filipinos. It is a significant date that changed Philippine history. On this day of two different years, two different revolutions from different generations transpired. On February 25, 1986, the Filipino people fought a bloodless revolution “People Power Revolt” against the Philippine Government dictatorial regime. Twenty years after, on Feb 25, 2006, a new kind of people power that commemorates the EDSA Revolution took place. It happened not on the streets of EDSA but in the poor communities as well as in the calamity stricken areas of our country. The GK1MB “Isang Milyong Bayani”a movement that was launched by Gawad Kalinga Community Development Foundation. It aims to gather one million living heroes not marching and shouting on the streets but doing concrete and significant actions, sacrificing themselves and their resources with the spirit of volunteerism by building houses and developing communities to restore the dignity of the poor and the Philippines.
Last February 25, 2007, on the first year anniversary of GK1MB, a Gawad Kalinga People Power over Poverty Build were conducted in 1,000 communities all over the country. In Davao City, a wonderful output of that movement became a reality. Over 500 youths and students from CFC Youth for Christ Ministry, Sangguniang Kabataan Federation and from various schools and universities in Davao City: (Ateneo De Davao, University of Southern Philippines, University of Mindanao, Davao Doctors’ College, Brokenshire College, Holy Cross, Phil.Womens’College, San Pedro College, St. Augustine, Davao City National High School, and Colegio de San Ignacio) took pride in building the first ever GK Youth Village in the country. The GK site is located at the newly opened government relocation site in Tibungco, Davao City. Beneficiaries of this village are poor families presently living in a dangerous creek in Sasa. A two-day build camp was held on Feb. 24 & 25. Despite of the whole day non stop rainfall on that Saturday, the youth with their full energy excavated the ground to which the foundations of the initial twelve houses will be laid down. Dancing and singing under the rain and soaking their hands and feet on the muddy ground while excavating was a wonderful scene that crammed the GK Site. After the day’s build, all the volunteers were gathered into a session where the GK1MB Mindanao Head, Cocoi Javier gave an empowerment talk emphasizing on the spirit of volunteerism and heroism of the Filipino youths in nation building,. Next was another exciting day of heroes build in the GK youth village. Day 2 was a bright sunny Sunday. The activity started with a mass, followed by a short program for the signing of Memorandum of Agreement of GK Partnership between Gawad Kalinga and Sangguniang Kabataan Federation of Davao City represented by Mr. Vic Rosario, the GK Provincial Head of Davao City and Hon. Councilor April Marie Dayap, SK Federation President. Guests of honor were Hon. Vice Mayor Luis Bonguyan, other City Councilors and the Gawad Kalinga Management Board. After the MOA signing, a Ceremonial Laying of Bricks was held with the symbolic “Bayanihan” of passing on of hollow blocks by human chain.
Build transpired until late afternoon of Feb. 25 with more youth volunteers including three busloads of students from Ateneo de Davao University not minding the scorching heat of the sun continue to excavate the 15 lots of the first block of the youth village. After that significant build, excavation tools used by the volunteers were turned over to the beneficiaries who were also there during the two-day activity having their share of sweat equity.
The GK1MB campaign will not stop until there will be no more slums in our country. Until not all the youths has given opportunity to give their share of heroism in rebuilding our nation. The youth build in the GK Youth Village will not end indeed, until all the houses are completed and the lives of the beneficiaries has transformed. The involvement will continue until the whole community is developed and sustained through the implementation of all the Gawad Kalinga Programs.
That significant day of Feb 25, 2007 was a realization of the youths’ dream, bringing the spirit of hope and transformation not only in the lives of the poor and the youths but also in the hearts of all generations, making a difference - for love of God and country.
Mabuhay ang Kabataan! Kayo and Tunay na Bayani ng Bayan!!
By: Maitz Macaraeg- YCOM-Davao
02.26.07
click here to view the photosDate added 2007-03-12 08:28:31
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