The platform is a simple one: land for the landless, homes for the homeless, hope for the hopeless. Gawad Kalniga, Tagalog for “giving care,” has set out to rebuild slums and improve quality of life for Filipinos by providing housing communities that foster the holistic needs of residents. The program is designed to marry a “good neighbor” mentality with sustainability, following the age old mantra, “give a man a fish, feed him for a day, tea
ch a man to fish, feedhim for life.”
ch a man to fish, feedhim for life.” Locally, International Care Ministries educates recipients of Gawad Kalinga homes through a multitude of specialized programs. These classes can run the gambit from health care, organic sustainable farming, family planning, etc. Goals in this program are not to force western idealogy, but to create healthier lives for Filipinos, from cirriculum designed by Filipinos. 
It has been such an honor and privilege to build along side the residents and future home owners of GK El Nido- Sunset Ville Community.Like a phantom, my team arrived on day, poured a few hundred pounds of cement and put in our sweat equity for the kingdom of God. Then, in similar fashion, we left, with out any closing ceremonies or completed structure.
In the end, GK has never been about me or finishing what I started. GK is not even really about the four families moving in, or the wondeful men and women I worked along side. GK is not about building strutures, brick making, shoveling, gardening, cement mixing or raising walls.
Gawad Kalinga…to give care…. is about hope.
To the people at GK El Nido, thank your for renewing mine.
