Give 'em shelter
Being an advocate of change, the whole world was caught up in the buzz about Barack Obama winning the presidency in America. Out with the old from two wars to a damaged economy and in with the new — hope, that is. As we sit safely on the other side of the world, we don’t have to look far to help those in need.
Cheers for the good news: the local government of Camarines Sur and the non-profit community development organization Gawad Kalinga has joined hands in launching the first-ever GK Designer Province. Tucked in the towns of Iriga and Libmanan in Cam Sur, the GK Bed and Breakfast is a cool new concept in housing local and international volunteers and even tourists who want to immerse and experience simple life in local communities while enjoying the best attractions of Camarines Sur as part of their tour package.
Thanks also to Governor Lray Villafuerte, who transformed the province into a world-class tourist destination with its now famous wakeboarding facility. He says, “I sought change, and with unrelenting determination, took off on a path that was unexpected, unconventional and untested.”
Now, Cam Sur is known for its Water Sports Complex. This six-point cable ski system is much loved by wakeboarders, wakeskaters and kneeboarders like me. This water sports park is packed with restaurants with Laing pizza, sand bar, spa, pro-shop and soon a grand stand for guests. Other sites in Cam Sur include churches, a pili factory, a deer farm and Gota Village Resort in Caramoan Island with white beaches and coves. The concept of GK’s Bed and Breakfast facility perfectly complements the tourist attractions.
On a side note, Gawad Kalinga means to “give care” in English. Perhaps the great thing about this organization is that it provides an alternative solution to poverty. Their main vision is for a slum-free, squatter-free nation by giving land to the landless, homes for the homeless and food for the hungry. And GK not only provides shelter but aids also in the transformation of the people and the community.
Akin to the revolutionary and faith-filled spirit of GK: Build it and they will come, Villafuerte embraces wholeheartedly GK’s vision of christening Cam Sur as a Designer province with world-class GK villages complete with bed and breakfast homes for guests, a livelihood project run by GK’s residents. No wonder Agriculture Secretary Arthur C. Yap is all for this project. He believes in the message of hope, change and healing of relationships. By providing shelter for the homeless, GK is helping transform the poor families to be productive, self-sufficient and self-reliant. Expect the DOA to lend its support to GK by facilitating technology transfer, providing training to GK beneficiaries and ensuring that these beneficiaries will have not only food but also jobs.
Dig this, the GK foundation has been providing training on livelihood projects like making slippers from ragiwdiw grass, Christmas parols, bayong bags made of scrap materials, hog fattening, eel farming, tilapia production, rice retailing, vegetable production, fruit-bearing tree distribution, mushroom production, goat production and other support facilities like garden tools, green house and deep-well pumps.
“We want to build self-sustainable communities. Providing housing is one thing but what is more important is for us to help them find means of sustainable income, says Villafuerte. “Through the bed and breakfast concept, this is the harmony of tourism and social responsibility as well.”
By way of its many sustainable development projects, Gawad Kalinga continues to empower the poor and the marginalized of the Philippines to rise in dignity and self-respect through the old Filipino value of “bayanihan” community sharing. With the selfless attitude and unwavering commitment espoused by the government and the citizens of Camarines Sur, the GK Designer Province featuring the GK Bed and Breakfast marks the beginning of more remarkable and inspiring community-building endeavors. With the end goal of rebuilding the nation one house and community at a time, both Gawad Kalinga and the local government of Camarines Sur have helped transform many of the province’s slum areas into sustainable community building projects, making it the largest GK community in the country.
“The partnership of GK and Cam Sur is a match made in heaven. It is an answered prayer because it came at a time when I felt the compelling need to do more for my people,” concludes Villafuerte. “I wanted to elevate our humble success to a more meaningful level. “Cam Sur is GK’s home. Together we will build homes, rebuild lives and restore hope.”
In time, perhaps, there will be no more slums, violence and poverty. All we have to do is believe that we can be an instrument of change by building the world a home and furnishing it with love, which is perfect harmony.
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Gawad Kalinga is located at fourth floor of the Pro-Friends Building, 55 Tinio St., Brgy. Addition Hills, Mandaluyong City. For more information, call 718-1738 to 41.
