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. Honestly I was skeptical about GK itself, wondering how it would be possible to build houses for millions of homeless families and squatters within the Philippines. The days leading up to the start I was nervous because I didn't know anybody from the group except for a family friend, and I had no idea of what I was going to do, apart from building a house. In the end I said yes to join GKY GAT, to go along for the ride.
It didn't take long before all my doubts and axieties were washed away. As we were driving to the site we saw an area of squatter's homes and rubbish tips, children searching for objects which could be sold or traded, and it was in the middle of the gloomy surroundings that the GK BASECO village was located. It was as if it were an oasis in the middle of the desert, beautiful, a place where I felt safe despite the worrisome surroundings. I knew that I was taking part in something great, something that could make a difference.
It was not only the site which made me truly appreciate the significant changes GK was making in the lives of the people, but it was also in the faces of the children that came running happily towards us. It was everything about them, the way they greeted us blessing each and every one of us, as the traditional Filipino sign of repsect, and in their friendly disposition as they tried to speak to all of us, despite the language barrier that existed. Through the children I saw the difference that GK could make.
GK gave the people hope for a better future, because by simply giving them a stable home and living environment they are given the motivation and encouragement to change their lives for the better. GK allowed the people to realise that their lives were not worthless, that more importantly they were not worthless, and that they were worth fighting for.
Yes 700,000 homes in 7,000 communities in 7 years seems like an impossible feat, at first, but with programs like GKY GAT and the volunteer work of so many from the international community and also from within the Philippines itself, it now seems that nothing can stop this juggernaut. I no longer question whether the goals of GK can be accomplished, and I no longer doubt that one day, in the future, we will see a squatter free Philippines.
As I have heard many times during GKY GAT, GK does not only build houses, but it builds a sense of community for the people and gives them back their dignity. I am thankful for having had the opportunity to experience the miracle of GK first hand, and am looking forward to coming years where I plan to be part of GKY GAT every year, not just to go along for the ride but to help make a difference to someone else's life.
GK gave the people hope for a better future, because by simply giving them a stable home and living environment they are given the motivation and encouragement to change their lives for the better. GK allowed the people to realise that their lives were not worthless, that more importantly they were not worthless, and that they were worth fighting for.
