Gawad Kalinga Foundation – Building a Better Nation One Community at a Time

Poverty has been a perennial problem in the Philippines. In a recent survey, it was said that more than half of the whole Philippine population are sinking below the poverty line. What is even more alarming is that economists and financial analysts are projecting that this year will mark skyrocketing unemployment rates, which would automatically intensify the country’s bout to combat poverty. It takes the help of organizations like Gawad Kalinga Foundation to launch a massive campaign to help solve this predicament.

It is an active and renowned socio-religious organization in the Philippines that aims to build a slum-free and squatter-free nation. Founded by humanitarian, Tony Meloto, the organization had its humble beginnings way back in 1995 through the initiatives of Couples for Christ in rehabilitating juvenile delinquents in Bagong Silang, Caloocan City. The aftermath of its initial program was a success and readily produced positive changes in the lives of those who took part in the project. Since then, GK has evolved into a prime mover in nation building. To date, GK has 900 communities all over the Philippines and in other countries.

Joining the GK cause is also a great act for schools to develop their students’ social awareness. Having students immersed in the core values and objectives of the organization will develop in them a sense of patriotism and love for others. Some of the schools and universities that have collaborated with GK are the Ateneo de Manila University, University of the Philippines, De La Salle University, Miriam College, University of Santo Tomas, University of Asia and the Pacific, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Saint Paul College, and the Philippine Normal University among others.

Providing homes is only part of the efforts of GK. More than building and improving poverty-stricken communities, Gawad Kalinga Foundation is after transforming lives of its beneficiaries. Soon, with the help of various sectors in the society, GK would be able to improve the living conditions of 5 million poor Filipinos in the country.

Gawad Kalinga Foundation and Philippine Universities - From Schools and Out into the Communities

Gawad Kalinga Foundation has established strong ties with different universities in the Philippines in its goal to build a slum-free nation. Students are encouraged to attend immersions and do volunteer work in various GK communities in the country. Aside from taking part in site construction projects, students are also involved in programs such as child and youth development. One of their tasks in the said GK program is to act as teachers in community schools. While they aid their fellow youth in academic work and learning, they also develop their characters, and harness their concern for others.

Gawad Kalinga Builders Institute, better known as GKBI, is the official movement of GK to involve schools and learning institutions in materializing the humanitarian goal of uplifting the living conditions of thousands of poor communities in the country. The movement believes that schools have a very important role in opening the eyes of the youth and academic sector to their role in building our nation. It brings students from schools and into the communities while inculcating in them values such as nationalism and patriotism.

Many schools, colleges, and universities have already heeded the call of GKBI. They are some of the biggest and most influential schools in the country like Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University, University of Santo Tomas, University of Makati, University of Asia and the Pacific, University of the Philippines, and more.

Universities involved in materializing the GK goals are doing a great job in making their students part of this huge patriotic movement to drive social transformation. While the transformative characteristic of Gawad Kalinga Foundation continues to grow, it continues to uplift our nation one community at a time. The movement also touches not only the beneficiaries of GK communities but also the universities, volunteers, and donors who take part in carrying out the humanitarian mission.