Helping the homeless..
Introduction:
It was an exceptionally exciting day for me. At last the long wait was over. I was up early and was on board the bus from Sta. Rosa Laguna to Manila at 7:30am. It was just a 30-minute ride so I was at MRT Pasay by 8:00am. The meeting would be at 11:30am so I had to while my time away.
By about 9:30 Mon Garra called up to confirm if the activity would push through. He wasn’t replying to my messages the past days so I was really surprised and happy that at last there would already be three of us attending the meeting. Alma already declined earlier that she could not attend the meeting and may be joining later.
My friend, Manny Estrella of Educational Foundation Inc. of Couples for Christ texted he was already infront of Shangrila-Plaza at around 10:00am so I boarded MRT and went straight to Chow King where he was waiting. He was the one who negotiated this meeting with Gawad Kalinga for me because Marian Calvario of GK Central Office was too busy to attend to my concerns.
I had the chance to talk to Manny before the meeting so he already oriented me on what was going to happen. He prepared a power point presentation and was carrying a lap top with him so I had a pre-meeting information about Gawad Kalinga programs. At that time I was also following-up the whereabouts of Kuyang Ben and Mon.
By 11:00am I and Manny went ahead up at second floor of Shangrila-Plaza, everyone’s meeting place. Kuyang was then already queuing up for parking space downstairs. Mon said he was at EDSA Shangrila Hotel. Bingoy Lorenzana, the head of MM Central B was already at Bon Appetit Resto at the 3rd level of Shangrila-Plaza. In few minutes, Kuyang Ben and I met each other for the first time. I didn’t recognize him because I was looking for somebody older than most of us. It surprised me to know that Kuyang is much much younger than what I thought he was. (He looked older in the picture he submitted at the forum).
We climbed up the stairs to join Bingoy and Manny at Bon Appetit where the meeting was held. Minutes later, Mon was already in front of us. Alma likwise texted she would be joining us after lunch as she was just off from a meeting.
In the afternoon, we visited GK Arkong Bato and decided to hold the turn over there as Kuyang was already rushing home to his lovely wife.
The Meeting.
The meeting started on time after few minutes of introduction and poses for posterity.
From left: Bingoy Lorenzana, Head of MM Central B, Kuyang Ben (who looked like Arnold Clavio in picture), my friend Manny Estrella, yours truly and Mon Garra.
After few poses, we had a sumptuous buffet meal of buttered shrimp, barbecue, beef, vegetables and I and Mon’s favorite, toss salad. It was an extended birthday celebration courtesy of Kuyang Ben. Yum yum!
During our meeting, Manny showed to us video presentations of GK projects in different parts of the country. It helped us appreciate how Gawad Kalinga projects became so popular among all people from different levels of society and all walks of life. Kuyang asked all possible questions to know how GK projects would be sustained in the long run considering that they are operating purely from donations. Bingoy and Manny presented their structure so well that we did nothing but to nod our heads in appreciation. Manny, likewise presented to us the programs of Gawad Kalinga aside from BUILD (house construction/repair). (Attached in separate report is Manny’s presentation about Gawad Kalinga.
Pre-lude to our Project Visit
We over-stayed at the meeting because of our pleasant exchanges regarding how Gawad’s projects are sustained. It was almost 3:00pm when we decided it was time to go. Kuyang suggested we do the turn-over at the GK Arkong Bato and skip our visit to Taguig and GK Central Office because he would still be driving home.
On the way to project site, the four of us together with Manny as our guide, decided to take Kuyang’s car so we can talk about future plans. It was a short ride so we really failed to talk about future projects lengthily and instead, talked about next year’s Grand Acquaintance Party. We then agreed to propose for an earlier schedule, somewhere in the month of June 2007 to avoid the rainy season. Should our proposal is approved, Kuyang will be coming home 3 months ahead of our schedule so he can raise tilapia and bangus specifically for our activity. Our proposal is a 7-day Package Tour to include: 1) 2 1/2-day, 2-night stay at Kuyang’s place to include a tour to Fort Magsaysay and PMA to the itinerary; 2) 1-day project visit and volunteer work at GK site in Metro Manila to where our donated houses will be built and 1 night immersion; 3) 2-day, 1 night visit in Cebu City; and 1-day, 1 night tour of Mayon in Albay. I will still have to finalize this proposal to include financial estimates and post it for everyone’s comments and approval. Kuyang instructed me to post the proposal as early as possible so we would have time to prepare and raise the needed funds.
Site Visit.
Gawad Arkong Bato is located at Bo. Kapitolyo, Pasig City. It is just a few –minute drive from Shagrila Plaza were it not to the heavy traffic that allowed us to talk among ourselves about our recommendations.
The site was a simple but vibrant community that exudes peace, harmony and tranquility. I and Alma (middle) were awed at how this hidden paradise came about despite of its location.
The entrance to the site led us to a narrow descending alleyway of about 3 meters wide. On both sides were towering concrete walls that hide an upscale subdivision and villages. At the end of the alley were colorful houses that looked liked crayola comfortably nestled side by side in a box.
The place according to Bingoy is a creek which used to be a squatter’s area. The solid part was owned and donated by the Ortigas Family to Gawad Kalinga for this purpose thereby emancipating the residents from being squatters to proud homeowners.
Bingoy Lorenzana (to my right and front on first and second photos respectively ) was just so willing to explain how they transformed this seemingly forgotten community into a simple but decent dwelling place. He said they negotiated with the Ortigas family for the donation of the site to GK when the shanties were razed by fire in 2002. This became the first project of Gawad Kalinga. On December 1, 2002, as part of Gawad Kalinga National Build, everyone took part in building ten houses. They covered the creek with concrete pavement and flattened the sides so more houses could be built. Donors flowed in. UNILAB officially became their partner in developing the community by providing support for Phase 2 of the Village and the community’s multipurpose Hall. As of May 2006, 116 houses have been built benefiting a total of 158 families.
Additional houses are still being constructed at the back. The owners do the construction while GK provides for the materials and supervision. They do not allow the residents to build their own houses to avoid the tendency of getting the better materials for themselves. They do the construction together, with group of houses at a time. The houses measure about 3×4 meters. Only the size of a standard bedroom. But the would-be owners are just so happy to have them. Everyone, including women helps in the construction.
These shanties below are the dwelling places of those constructing the houses above. These are hanging against the wall connected only to the railings and concrete fence above them. They use the stairs in getting up the house. I really cannot imagine how they are able to sleep in such a dangerous place.
We were so lucky that the Sector Head of CFC Central B, Mr. Oscar Oblefias (left picture below) to where Bingoy Lorenzana directly works with was at the site monitoring the house construction. He and his Engineer buddy (right picture below) were just so eager to tell us stories of people’s lives transformed by the GK sites. The transformation did not only happen to the beneficiaries of the house but to donors as well. Stories about how wealthy Japanese businessmen who donated one unit each came back and cried when they saw their names imprinted at the door of the houses they donated. The businessmen shared that it wasn’t the money that gave them fulfillment but the realization of how they were able to help one family have a decent dwelling place.
The visit was capped by the official turn-over of the Php100,000.00 demand draft to Mr. Oca Oblefias representing the Gawad Kalinga. Bingoy Lorenzana, the person in-charge of GK Arkong Bato issued the Official Receipt for the Turn-Over. We agreed to use the fund in building additional two units at the expansion area of Arkong Bato plus an additional two units from Worley & Parsons Company of Dante Pineda. (I received an offer from Bingoy this morning to locate our two units in the new site Taguig because there are no donors in that area as of yet).
Assessment & Recommendation.
Based on what transpired during our meeting, we unanimously concluded that Gawad Kalinga is the right partner to our proposed projects. Their accomplishments area sheer results of perseverance, commitment and dedication to make their goals come true. They know exactly what to do in every situation they are faced with and always ready to accommodate other people’s offer to help make poverty stricken communities rise and enjoy life.
Gawad Kalinga’s programs encompasses all aspects that answer people’s basic needs:
1. Shelter or Tatag seeks to build or improve houses and by providing physical structures such as pathways and drainage systems, water and toilet facilities, schools, livelihood centers, multipurpose halls, clinic, etc.
2. Education through:
• Sibol where pre-school children, 3-6 years old are given values-based education.
• Sagip where street children, 7-13 years old are given tutorials and trained in sports and creative arts to help them discover their talents and potential.
• Siga (Serving in God’s Army) where scholarships are provided to those with a mental aptitude to pursue higher education. Also through Siga, youth offenders and juvenile delinquents are rehabilitated without committing them to institutions and they are integrated into the social mainstream as productive citizens.
3. Health through Lusog where malnutrition among children is addressed and arrested and the parents are taught values of proper diet and nutrition. The health profile of every family is also monitored and every problem is given proper attention.
4. Livelihood through Sikap where livelihood skills are provided, capital and materials furnished and market for products produced is provided. Food sufficiency is encouraged by putting up vegetable gardens and urban agriculture.
5. Community Development through Kapitbahayan, a neighborhood association is established to inculcate the values of stewardship and accountability, team effort and cooperation, unity and community spirit. It is the mechanism for sustainable development as it institutionalizes the principle of helping the poor help themselves.
Based on Mr. Bingoy Lorenzana’s assessment, donors usually support the Shelter/Build or Tatag Program because this is the most visible. They can easily see the result of their donation. But based on their perceived need in empowering communities to further help themselves, education is the most important. They attend to shaping the core personality of the youth become matured and responsible individuals. Health aspect comes next because this will attend to the physical attributes of an individual. Again, based on his assessment, people in the communities prefer employment than livelihood because most are not ready to take risk in running small business.
Because of these, we have decided to propose the following options:
1. Continue donating to the Shelter or Build Program because many families still need decent living condition. Cost per housing unit however has now gone up to Php60,000.00 because of the increase in prices of hardware and construction materials. We may also opt to donate study centers for the youth which they call “Tambayanihan”. This is where the SIGA programs are held.
2. Sponsor scholarship to deserving children in GK communities or even outside. Gawad Kalinga shall prepare a project concept on this for our purpose to include the guidelines, choice of school and the total amount involved. Based on initial discussion with Alma Falco and Manny, the Coordinator of the Education Foundation Inc. we can choose public schools that offer courses that can easily land a job or even technical schools regulated by TESDA. The cost of education is low but the chance of landing a job is great. We can sponsor one in a family so that every graduate that we produce can already help younger siblings get a diploma.
3. Donate books, materials or foot a year’s salary of pre-school teachers.
4. Kuyang Ben’s idea is more on livelihood that will sustain the daily needs of the families. We need to introduce cottage industries for the women and youth. This however needs that we have an administrative office that will attend to the forward and backward linkages of the industry such as sourcing of raw materials and supplies and marketing the finished products.
Let me clarify however that there was no formal meeting among the four of us who attended the meeting and fund turn-over. These are simply the recommendations that resulted from our informal interaction with one another.
