By JAM QUISUMBING
My first GK trip was in January 2008, with the very first GKYGAT group to build simultaneously as one team in three different provinces in the Philippines. Having been part of such an inspiring experience like that, I returned to Australia wanting to help continue the legacy.
What touched me from observing GKYGAT'08 about selflessness (of the beneficiaries and the YGATers) and the hardships which so many people of the Philippines suffered needlessly, reminded me about how short our lives really are and how powerful we can make our presence in the world to even just one person. In the GK villages, there were people who had gone through catastrophes and lifelong poverty - the kind where each day is a struggle to stay alive. Yet we are so fortunate in Australia to live comfortable lifestyles and we take it for granted every day, allowing ourselves to be stuck in situations that make our lives unnecessarily harder than it needs to be. I had to stop waiting for things to improve by 'sticking it out' in such situations, and do something to change the direction of my future.
So with this in mind, within two months of the end of GKYGAT'08, I began to take the initially painful and reluctant steps to change my circumstances. For the rest of the year I additionally served as part of GK Youth and the GKYGAT'09 leaders, and while it was too early to see its fulfillment at the time, I still knew as the months passed that I was doing something to get my life where I wanted it to be, so that I could then help others to do the same.
Being part of GKYGAT in January 2009 cemented everything that had begun to change me since my first YGAT. This time, it was the energy and initiative of the new YGATers and Palawan's GK Puerto Princesa Village beneficiaries that made a deep impression. I was so proud to be affiliated with youth who were so energetic for this cause, and so open and willing to keep their heads down and do whatever work was needed to be done. I was amazed at how easy it was to motivate these guys. Involving themselves with the villagers was something they launched right into with such maturity and open eagerness. They were, though only new to the cause, already fantastic ambassadors for GK and Australia.
On a similar note, the people in the village who sheltered us during the build welcomed us beyond expectation. They had never received foreigners to shelter and feed, let alone over 50 of us, and yet they rose over and above to the occasion. They made us feel so valued and took such great care of us. Every day the ladies would get up at 4am to cook our breakfast, serve at 8am, then continue on to cook our lunch, clean up, produce our snacks, clean up, cook our dinners, clean up and still have the energy to perform dance routines for the night presentations and festivities. The men and children built alongside us every day, and even took days off school and work just to share with us our last day in the village. We got to recognise every face, learn their names, hear some of their stories, play with them, and watch them warm to us so happily.
As a result of our stay in the village, the children were broadening their goals for their futures, aspiring for more than they dreamed before; we helped complete two houses in the village; the Mayor donated an extra 15 hectares for more building; and we developed friendships with the villagers that we continue even in separate countries.
So it's happened recently for me by remembering that change needs to come from our outlook on life and the active decisions which come from them that I've finally begun to feel like myself again. I still have things I need to work on (who doesn't?) but I know for sure now that I'm moving in the right direction. People need to remember not to underestimate what they are capable of in their lives and the lives of others. I'm so proud of being part of a team of people who use their talents and efforts for a cause bigger than themselves. I urge people, especially if they're young, to take advantage of the privileges they have to do something fantastic and help make a difference in the world, especially in your own. There is so much to be done, and there are no prerequisites. Life is too short to continue with dead ends if you have the power to make a change. GK inspired me to stop waiting, have the courage to begin letting the past go, and to just keep moving forward.
