www.gawadkalinga.org

Gawad Kalinga translated in English means “to give care,” and it is an integrated, holistic and sustainable solution to the problem of poverty in the Philippines. It is a growing multi-sectoral partnership driven by a vision of a new Philippines with no more slums. GK is feverishly expanding towards its target set in October 2003 – to build 700,000 homes in 7,000 GK sites in 7 years.

 GK runs the following programs:

• Building homes with and for the poorest of poor Filipino families and providing other physical structures such as pathways and drainage systems, water and toilet facilities, schools, livelihood centres, multi-purpose halls and clinics;

• Programs to provide value based education for pre-school children, aged 3 to 6 years old through its program called SIBOL, which means “to grow” in the Filipino language and a support program for street children of elementary age, from 7 to 13 years old. They are provided with academic tutorials, sports and creative workshops;

• Community health care

• Livelihood and skills training, providing start up capital and materials for microfinance and micro-enterprise, and assisting in the marketing of the GK communities’ products. Food self sufficiency is highly encouraged by teaching technology for backyard farming, urban agriculture and poultry raising

• Community Empowerment: Every GK community is organized into a Kapitbahayan Neighbourhood Association, which is 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