"Heroes Journal" is a collection of personal sharings and stories of young Australians whose lives have changed because of their involvement in Gawad Kalinga (GK). GK does not only transform slums into colourful and productive communities, it does not only transform the poor into self-sufficient people with dignity, but GK also transforms its donors, partners and in particular the youth into selfless GK heroes.
Be inspired... be captivated... relive those memories and share your GK experiences to others!
If you would like to submit your own personal sharing or GK story, email gkom@gk-youth.org
HEROES JOURNAL 2008: Stories and sharings from GK heroes down under
Affirm and Honor by MIKE PADILLA
"Working on the ground at the biggest GK site in the world and doing lots of office works drain me sometimes. My stay in Sydney [for the REVERSE GK YGAT] was an opportunity to recharge, sharpen my saw and draw inspiration... "
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World Youth Day Sharing by LEI HALILI
"I couldn’t have asked for more; walking with GK Youth, the Reverse GK YGAT delegates, YFC, SFC, including my 2 bestest buddies and sharing our laughters with thousands of other pilgrims from all over the world..."
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Our Culture: The Great Adventure Tour* by CHRIS DAVIDSON
"Philippines is a beautiful country, which is rich in culture and history. I just want to thank all those who were a part of this great work around the world and all those out there making a difference to those in need and in living simply..."
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Highway of Hope by NATHAN MARI
"The Good news is there’s HOPE! And the Hope of the Philippines is with the thousands of people who’ve heard this message of HOPE... and I am in the midst of the greatest miracle happening in the world today!..."
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7 Days in Cambodia... it was way too short! by KRIS ALEGRID
"For the past 2 years I've been going on GK YGAT in the Philippines and now that GK is spreading to other countries, I thought I might experience the culture of another country where I’ve never been before..."
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For Reflection: My GK Journey by NAMRATA KUMAR
"This trip highlightened to me that working together transcends all boundaries of religion, nationality, upbringing or material possessions..."
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Truly at Home - SFC WGAT by MICHELL VICTORINO
"From the word go it was already an adventure. I know that no matter where God calls me to go I will always feel at home for His love can be felt from everyone I meet and the places I go to..."
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Miss GK and her experience by JAMES PALOMO
"Earlier this year, Bianca Lucas (Miss GK Australia 2007) travelled to the Philippines to participate in GK YGAT 2008. In her travels during her second GAT, she was able to re-experience and re-live the work of Gawad Kalinga..."
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GK Papua New Guinea Great Adventure Tour by GERARD JOSEPH C MUSA III
"We (GK) can do it anywhere” will always be a reminder to me – as a GK volunteer – to continue this GK great adventure, not only in Papua New Guinea or the Philippines, but to every poverty-stricken-area around the world... "
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HEROES JOURNAL 2007: Stories and sharings from GK heroes down under
My GK Journey A POEM by MARJAY BAGUS
"God's call to action, help them out quickly, Those back home in need. The Village of Character, Iriga City. A flight of excitement and a bus ride of nerves..."
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St Aloysius College GK Immersion 2007 by TOM HALL
"It's the relationships we share with our family and friends that hold the key to happiness. May the houses we build stand as a symbol of unity between us, we gave your village something and in turn took a new outlook on life away.... "
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Open your heart, Open your mind by TRINA ESGUERRA
"My GK story; where do I start? It was challenging and fulfilling, amazing and chaotic(-ly fun). It was life-changing and I realised that when I returned home to Sydney, my clothes weren't the only things that no longer fit!...
... "
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What a holiday! by GREGOR ERDMANN
"For myself, it was just a holiday. The thought of helping people, building communities, and generally being a good boy simply didn’t cross my mind..."
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"I will buy some Onions now" (Some of Miss GK 06 - Karla Magayanes' moments in GK) by MARTIN PONFERRADA
"If you want to see results, if you want to get your hands dirty, go! If you happen to be looking for direction in your life, a purpose greater than a university degree, materialistic things, then go to the great adventure tour... "
Read more More than just memories by CAMILO ("DONNIE") VELASCO
"GKYGAT 07 was the revitalising experience that I needed in my life. I had recently finished high school and my HSC and enjoying my holidays prior to leaving for the Philippines..."
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Straight from the heart of GK (An interview with Eleazar Arranz) by JOE OCONER
"To be honest, I didn’t know the meanings of the words ‘bayanihan’ nor ‘bayani’ before going on GKYGAT. It wasn’t until I was on the build-site in Iriga and working with the local people that I witnessed the manifestation of these words through action..."
Read more I came, I saw, I conquered! by ALVIN ("AYEL") DAYAN
"Sometimes being ‘the only one’ can force you to dwell out of your comfort zone and be your true self. Sometimes being the only one can simply mean you spend the best time of your life with new people who are initially strangers, but to whom you get to know and consequently consider family..."
Read more Proud to be Pinoy by ALAN LUCAS
"I’ve always been proud to be a Filipino despite the current problems that exist in the country. However, going on this year’s GKYGAT has reaffirmed my pride in being a Pinoy..."
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Hope to a place of despair by JOHN RODRIGUEZ
"I honestly feel reluctant to submit this testimonial; the reason being that I don't feel a half page or so of writing is even close to sufficient to describe the life-changing experience that is GK YGAT. And the fact is
that it
isn't. ... "
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Third time lucky by RHONA CUARESMA
"I never expected that I’d be coming to the Gawad Kalinga Youth Great Adventure Tour (GKY GAT) in 2007. Having joined the group in 2005 and 2006, I knew that I’d be very lucky if I will be able to go the third time around. ... "
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HEROES JOURNAL 2006: Stories and sharings from GK heroes down under
GKY GAT PNG 06 Sharing by JOY LOPEZ
"Imagine a place full of darkness, guns fired almost every day and night, lives of children and families feared every time they choose to step outside their shanty homes... "
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The journey so far by SHANE HUDSON
"I've never travelled before in my life, never seen inside an aeroplane, let alone been to an airport. I knew I wanted to travel but not just an ordinary vacation... "
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We are family by JAMIKE DAVID
"A year has passed and you know what that means. It's time to go on GKY GAT, the Greatest Adventure I'll ever have taken... "
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A Humbling Experience by ADRIENNE VELLA
"From 3-17 January 2006, together with my brother, David Vella, good friend, Amanda Bentley, and I were fortunate enough to travel to the Philippines and experience the rich culture and beauty of its people and land. And what an amazing and eye-opening experience it was!... "
Read more Inspiration and Hope by CORINA VELASCO
"GKY GAT 06 brought me back to my homeland after being away for 16 years. My family left the Philippines when I was 8 years old and lived in Brunei, for nearly 7 years, before migrating to Australia... "
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Just like You... Just like Me! by JAMES LI
"I've seen and heard a lot about the poor people of this world through television and the media generally. I've also read and listened to presentations through work about the experience of people who have gone overseas to work for the UN or the Asian Development Bank... "
Read more Dreams do come true by RICHARD JOHN
"Let me start with a brief introduction about myself and how I came to know about GK. I am from Fiji Islands, a member of Singles For Christ (SFC)... "
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A New Dream by REGGIE SANTOS
"The way that I can describe my recent trip back to the Philippines is something like a great movie. It was filled with mixed emotions, different experiences and outlook into life, only this time, I experienced this movie first hand, and the outlook of my life has now changed... "
Read more Nothing can stop this juggernaut!!! by KATRINA ZABALLA
"I was aware of what GK was, and knew it to be a program which built houses for the poor. Honeslty I was skeptical about GK itself, wondering how it would be possible to build houses for millions of homeless families and squatters... "
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We are so blessed by JD (JONN DE LA PAZ)
"I was lucky enough to be a part of the 2005 SFC World GAT where God truly opened my eyes... So I was a bit puzzled when I found myself again at the GAT in 2006."
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Proud of being a true Filipino by LOURDES MANOTO
"I always said from the start that I would come into Gawad Kalinga Youth Great Adventure Tour (GKY GAT) to learn more about the Philippines. I came into it not knowing anything about what I was getting myself into... "
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Let's Chat!?! by LILIAN CHAN*
"While living here, I always wanted to help the 'poor' somehow, but I had no idea how! So when people from GK came to youth group to give a talk, I was so touched by the idea of being able to help the poor in such a logical and practical way... "
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