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GK News
GAWAD KALINGA BRINGS FILIPINO HEROISM TO PAPUA
NEW GUINEA
by: Alfredo Hernandez, The National, Papua New
Guinea
Gawad Kalinga is leaving no stones unturned in bringing Filipinos'' heroism
across the globe. The movement that started in the Philippines in 1995 goes full
blast in its campaign against poverty with the launching of Gawad Kalinga-Papua
New Guinea (GK-PNG) last 08 July 2005 at the Crowne Plaza.
No less than
Papua New Guinea Deputy Prime Minister Sir Moi Avei referred to GK as “a
movement that could liberate Papua New Guineans to gain self-confidence and
raise themselves above poverty without government’s help.” The official added,
“Tonight, Gawad Kalinga unleashed a very potent political force that could lead
Papua New Guineans to self-sufficiency and self-reliance.”
Leading the
launch of GK-PNG chapter was GK International Executive Director Tony Meloto. He
enjoined the country’s business sector to be their partners in developing a
model community at Gerehu Stage 6. He also told business executives present
during the event that foreign corporations doing business in the country “should
give back” to the people, particularly the poor.
Mr. Meloto expressed
confidence that once business executives have seen what Gawad Kalinga has done
in Gerehu, “they will come in, because that’s what has happened in the
Philippines.”
In the Philippines, about 60 companies, most of them major
multi-nationals, have become “Gawad Kalinga” partners. These include American
fast-food and restaurant McDonald’s, consumer product makers Unilever, Procter
& Gamble, Nestle Philippines, Selecta Ice Cream, Filipino fast-food chain
Jollibee Foods Corporation, computer company Hewlett & Packard, Phillips
Netherlands, Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation-Manila, among many
others.
Already, Jollibee has committed to build 400 homes this
year.
Mr. Meloto said in convincing their prospective partner-companies
to join the movement, “the people for whom you are going to build houses will be
your faithful client-consumers forever…”
Incidentally, David Conn,
president of the PNG Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PNGCCI), was also present
at the launch and saw the possibility of their company becoming a GK
partner.
Gawad Kalinga has initially built ten houses at Gerehu GK
Village which are now being occupied by recipient-families. These beneficiaries
were once Papua New Guinea “rascals” – tribal gangs from the villages who come
to the city to engage in criminal activities. They would normally attack in
packs to steal cars, hold up civilians, and break into homes.
Just like
what it has done in GK Bagong Silang in the Philippines, a former haven for
illegal activities but has since been transformed by GK and its caretaker teams
into a dignified and almost crime-free community, GK has entered into the most
dangerous area of Papua New Guinea – Stage 6 Gerehu, home to some of the most
notorious criminals in the country.
Mr. Meloto said their experience in
Bagong Silang inspired them to build 12,669 homes in 525 communities all over
the country in partnership with individuals, groups, and private
companies.
The first ten houses in Stage 6 Gerehu were built at a cost of
K12,000 each from contributions from members of the Couples for Christ and
Singles for Christ, who also make up the volunteer group of the movement. The
property is a part of the Borehoho Village owned by one clan who generously
donated it for the housing project.
Mr. Meloto said the Gerehu project
will be the organization’s template for development for the country’s poor. “We
have seen the power of love to transform people and not money…” Mr. Meloto said,
referring to the ten recipient-families whose lives have finally turned around
after 14 years of living in abject poverty at Gerehu.
Here, the
residents are provided means of livelihood such as backyard gardening, and
poultry and pig-raising – all with technical support from GK’s various donors
and business partners.
Earlier, the heads of the 10 recipient-families
were presented to the audience, after which the leader – Dikana Gomara, 53, and
father of one girl, said in an emotional tone: “For the last 14 years, we have
been living in those decrepit houses and the government of PNG has left us out…
we have been left out… the government has not recognized us.”
Mr. Gomara
thanked Gawad Kalinga for discovering them in their run-down houses at Gerehu
last year and convincing them to become the first batch of families who would
get their new homes in a new community.
Gerehu GK Village is being
developed as a self-sustaining community with food gardens, street lighting and
toilets. Very soon, water wells and home electrical wirings will be installed.
The families will also get regular health care service from a team of volunteer
nurses, doctors, and health advisors.
With the next batch of 40 houses
soon to be built, GK-PNG is off to a good start. What seemed to be an impossible
task – rebuilding homes, rebuilding lives, is now within Papua New Guineans’
reach.
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