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. For now, I'll just recount on one of the most memorable times I was
lucky enough to bear witness to: our visit to the GK village in Baseco, an
area formerly considered as one of the poorest and most dangerous areas in Manila.
On the morning of our planned visit to Baseco I really was not sure what to
expect. I'd heard so many stories about the area; not only of there
being slums but also of it being a crime hot-spot. However, the moment we got
off the bus and saw the beautifully bright GK houses in front of us, almost
glistening in the scorching 30 degree sun, any fear or worry I had was
completely dispelled. There was no scent of crime, no feeling of
suffering or oppression.
All I could see was the smiling faces of the beautiful,
happy children that lived in the GK village, and the warm welcomes given to
us by the beneficiaries. The kids had played and laughed with us for the
whole visit while we were given a tour and showed around the orderly houses and
clean walkways of this amazing village, and not once did I see a frown. As
well as the physical beauty of this place, we had witnessed a real sense of
community; a community that lived in peace.
The most valuable part of this experience at Baseco was, oddly enough,
also the saddest and most concerning. As we looked outside of the GK site
and saw the slums that still existed near by, it was hard not to feel a bit
hollow inside, at least for the people living there. Despite this, it was
still joyful to think of how much life had changed for the better for those
in the GK site.
If it wasn't for all the hard work of the dedicated GK members, staff,
associates as well as the voluteers, those happy, smiling children we
had played with all day would still be on the streets scavenging to
survive. And I guess that's what it was all about for me; seeing those families with a
solid roof over their heads and those kids playing in a safe environment
really quantified the priceless and invaluable work that GK has done, and will
continue to do, for needy communities like Baseco.
The work of GK brought hope
to a place of despair, much like a candle brings light to the dark, or
in this case I guess it's more like a blazing inferno bringing light to darkness.
[I could continue to waffle on and on and on about what I had seen on
my GK YGAT trip but, in terms of truly showing you what GK's work is all about, it
really doesn't do any justice. The work of GK is something that has to be
witnessed personally to understand. For those reading this I ask you open your
minds, and I challenge you to experience the work of GK for yourselves.]
The most valuable part of this experience at Baseco was, oddly enough,
also the saddest and most concerning. As we looked outside of the GK site
and saw the slums that still existed near by, it was hard not to feel a bit
hollow inside, at least for the people living there. Despite this, it was
still joyful to think of how much life had changed for the better for those
in the GK site.
