To the GK Youth GANG,
Thank you for taking care of us when we were there [for the REVERSE Gawad Kalinga Youth Great Adventure Tour]...thanks for looking after our needs and concern. "Thank you" is an understatement for all the fun moments that you and the rest shared with us.
I just wanted to affirm and honor all of you for leading us when we were there. You have given me so much inspiration. 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 was an opportunity to recharge, sharpen my saw and draw inspiration. I was reminded that somehow, somewhere in other parts of the world, there are people who have the same passion and love for the country and the poor.
I know that all of you have your own individual struggles (as all of us have) and I wanted to honor you for believing in us...GK fulltime workers, SIGA's and our beneficiaries despite your individual woundedness. Many lives have changed because of people like you. Many lives have changed because we do not allow poverty, in any form, to cripple us. All of us have our own poverty but it is our collective strength that keeps us going.
I am proud not only because of the WYD experience, the tours, etc but also because I have new-found friendships.
I was able to have one-on-one dialogues with some of you (and you know who you are, hahahahaha),and it was truly an enriching experience. If there is one thing I regret not doing when I was there, is the lack of opportunity to know all of you more deeply. Thanks for all the effort, warmth and care.
Tita Chit and Tito Soty David [host parents], just tell me when you are coming here [in the Philippines]. I will be more than willing to accompany you to the various GK sites in Metro Manila and even in the provinces. Tito Soty, it’ll be my turn to drive you around, hahahaha!
To all of you, I hope to see you before long. I am excited to join some of you to Papua New Guinea in September.
You're the best!
Sa Ngalan ng Diyos at Bayan
(In the name of God and Country),
MYK
*Mike Padilla is a fulltime GK volunteer in Bagong Silang, Philippines; the first and largest GK village. Mike visited Australia for the WYD and also took part in the first-ever REVERSE Gawad Kalinga Youth Great Adventure Tour Sydney 2008.
*** Please visit our GK VIDEOS page to watch the REVERSE GKYGAT Sydney 2008 Video ***
