Jammed and caught in the edge of several social dilemmas, poverty has been described as a fatal syndrome of the society. Due to its bugging fretfulness, many have lost the optimism of ending this phenomenon.
Nevertheless, on the bright side of life, one group seems to contradict with this discouraging idea.
Unified by the aspiration of serving the Filipino people and shaping the future of the Philippines, a throng of nation builders and change-makers from all over the country unified themselves to establish a noble organization dedicated to let the underprivileged experience the dignity and comfort of life.
Tony Meloto’s dream for a poverty-free world triggers his passion towards nation building. Thus, dedicating him to embark on community service and establish Gawad Kalinga.
Meloto, as the frontliner of GK aspirations, has inspired millions of families and has encouraged young volunteers to work towards building model communities, where deprived families can thrive and attain their fullest potentials.
Looking forward to a better future of the succeeding generations, GK signifies the Filipino culture of caring and sharing.
Since the essence of “Gawad Kalinga” is paramount to the idea of giving care, each member of GK’s “kapitbahayan” (residence) believes that building a prosperous community means leaving no one behind.
The “Walang Iwanan” kind of thinking paves the way for the naissance of the true spirit of service and companionship. As the whole community acts as brothers and sisters, GK is certain of helping each member by giving the best for the least and by doing more for others and less for self.
Yearning to let the underprivileged go through a prosperous life, GK aims to build communities of mutual respect and reverence (Faith Community); higher principle of neighbourly love and the common good (peace zone); dignified human dwelling (Tourist Spot); dynamic human and natural resources (Productivity Center); proper utilization and preservation of environment (Environmentally Healthy Community); engaged citizenry (Empowered Community); and a well-prepared residence in times of sudden calamities (Secured Community).
The faith of Gawad Kalinga is to build a nation, which drives each volunteer and villager to achieve an empowered populace with faith and patriotism, an archipelago of caring and sharing communities and modern ‘bayanis’ dedicated to eradicate poverty and re-live human dignity.
If only we start asking ourselves, “What simple acts can we do to contribute to the mission of ending poverty?”
Perhaps, the spirit of “bayanihan” will start pouring in the mainstreams of our beings. If only we aspire and hope the same way GK does, we can end poverty and set the closing stage of sufferings and living in miseries.
Like Gawad Kalinga, let us all aspire to accomplish a mission of ending poverty for five million families by 2024.
Let us all work together to provide land for the landless; home for the homeless; and food for starving stomachs.
Through the undying spirit of bayanihan, let Gawad Kalinga be an epitome of the country’s hope.
More than anything, let the GK mission and vision be as viral as a social infection positively disturbing the sleeping consciousness of many Filipinos. Let this dream, which for some is impossible to reach, a stepping stone to completely realize the profound tomorrow of the Pearl of the Orient Sea.
Let us instill in our hearts and minds that impossibility is nothing. In the long run, together, we can end poverty. (Lorie Gene Cruz – The Raconteur)
The Raconteur 