The GK Walk is an annual fundraising walk to fight poverty through the Gawad Kalinga program in the Philippines and other third world countries.
Gawad Kalinga translated in English means “to give care”. GK's approach is comprehensive, integrated, and sustainable,
encompassing the many aspects that need to be addressed to combat poverty.
The GK Walk is organized by ANCOP International (Canada), a Christian, registered non-profit charity supporting the work of Gawad Kalinga.
The GK program is an alternative solution to the blatant
poverty throughout the world. Rooted in Christian values our work started in the
Philippines in the year 2000 and since then, thousands of homes and hundreds of families and children have been helped. Gawad
Kalinga's approach is comprehensive, integrated, and sustainable.
SHELTER
HEALTH
EDUCATION
LIVELIHOOD
VALUES FORMATION
COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT
Anyone can
do great works of charity. The challenge is sustaining the work. We work with the help of anyone and everyone with big willing hearts. Our partners, Volunteer architects, engineers and carpenters, doctors, nurses, midwives, dentists, teachers, writers, people from all religious, social, and academic backgrounds, government and private sectors --- come together with one purpose: answer the cry of the poor.
Together with our partners, we are now in the process of transforming the lives of 700,000 families in 7,000 communities in 7 years. Also known as GK777, this program established in 2003 have completed more than 21,000 homes in 1200 GK communities to date.
Everyone deserves a decent life with
dignity and hope. ANCOP-GK with it's partners and volunteers work hard to help the poor. ANCOP-GK does this through:
SHELTER
Picture yourself living in shanties. Exposed to heat and cold all year long. Filth everywhere. Chaotic. Fights about anything taking place anytime. One unnecessary wrong after another. Everyday.
Our Shelter & Site Development
Program uses volunteers to build colorful, durable and
secure homes for the poorest of the poor. We transform
whole communities with thousands of volunteers who build with
the beneficiaries. For the poor it gives
them great pride and joy because with their own hands they begin to regain their dignity, self esteem and self worth.
The shelter program not only
provides housing but also other physical structures such as path walks and drainage systems, water and toilet facilities, a school, a livelihood center, a multi-purpose hall and a clinic. In some areas, other structures such as basketball courts and libraries are also constructed once basic infrastructure needs are set up.
Gawad Kalinga is non denominational and does not discriminate. A number of Muslim and mixed Muslim and Christian GK villages have already been completed and are thriving
in the Philippines and becoming beacons of peace. GK workers are also present in Papua New Guinea helping poor tribesmen gain decent housing and renewed community spirit.
HEALTH
For most parts of the world, medical and dental needs are left unattended. Poor people do not have access to basic care or have a chance to consult a doctor.
The Community Health Care Program is a key component of our approach.
The health profile of every family we help is carefully monitored by a volunteer team of doctors and paramedical practitioners. Where possible, we establish a clinic in each community we work in. Malnutrition especially among children is addressed and minimized not just through feeding programs but also through parent education regarding proper nutrition and hygiene.
EDUCATION
Millions of third world children in primary ages would find joy in a used coloring book. Even public education which should be basically free is inaccessible to them.
We provide value based Education Program for pre-school children, aged 3 to 6 years old. We also provide support program for street children of elementary age, from 7 to 13 years old.
They are provided with academic tutorials, sports and creative workshops as well as a very solid values formation program. Scholarships are provided to those with the mental aptitude to pursue higher education.
There is also a strong youth rehabilitation program where juvenile delinquents are provided with a range of activities and counseling sessions to help them live productive lives without committing them to rehab institutions. They are then integrated into the social mainstream and are eventually gainfully employed.
LIVELIHOOD
With a life of deprivation and lack of education, the poor have very little to offer the work force.
Our Livelihood Program conducts livelihood and skills training, provides start up capital and materials for microfinance and micro-enterprise, and assists in the marketing of products.
Food self sufficiency is highly encouraged by teaching technology for backyard farming, urban agriculture and poultry raising. Even the building of homes and common facilities teaches new masonry and carpentry skills since the poor “pay” for their homes through “sweat equity” or by building their neighbor’s house side by side with other volunteers. This not only builds community spirit but also contributes to greater peace. After all, how can a homeowner fight the neighbor who helped build his house?
VALUES FORMATION
Based on Christian values, the GK Values Formation program is an integral part of the transformation of slums into vibrant GK communities. The Values Formation program is a required seminar which helps prepare beneficiaries and their families by changing their attitudes and outlook in life. By learning to value their family and community, the values formation program aims to change the old attitudes of slum dwellers and encourages them to reclaim their dignity and self-worth.
Slum surroundings breed slum attitudes. It is easy to change the physical surrounding immediately, but inner change and a new found respect and honor for oneself and community is the true essential in sustaining and further developing the GK community and its members.
GK beneficiaries are not left alone soon after the homes have been built. The effectiveness of the Values Formation program is further enhanced by the constant encouragement and guidance of the GK caretaker team, who continually oversee the village and the beneficiaries’ growth and development.
COMMUNITY
EMPOWERMENT
Our holistic model transforms the poor and their environment. After all, will a person change if the environment remains chaotic?
Our program organizes the community with a neighborhood association, established to inculcate stewardship and ensure accountability, cooperation and unity. Guidelines for community living are decided upon by the members, and new leaders who espouse the values of the association start to emerge.
Peace is achieved not by force, but by mutual adherence to an agreed set of values. This new culture is the key to the community’s sustainability, and sets the community on the road to self reliance.
The ANCOP-GAWAD KALINGA approach is comprehensive integrated and sustainable.
To learn more, click on our Frequently Asked Questions page or watch the GK Videos.
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