By GKOM Australia News Bureau Date Posted: September 28, 2007
Gawad Kalinga Community Development Foundation (PNG) held its first ever National Congress last August 11, 2007. The aim of the congress was to gather Couples for Christ (CFC) members and to continuously inspire them in the work of heroism and nation building. It also aimed to honor the partners who have been helping the foundation.
This was also a very exciting day for the beneficiaries who played a great role in the program. A few months before the congress they had been preparing their “singsing” – a traditional dance, wood carvings and “bilum” bags as their tokens of gratitude for the heroism that was shown by the GK Partners.
“We have nothing to give; we could not even pay back the goodness that they (GK partners) have shared to us. And so on the occasion of the first GK PNG Congress, we would like to present these little things as a symbol of our gratitude” expressed Dikana Gomara (clan chief of the village). Almost half of the attendees were GK beneficiaries including kids, youths and parents, who were all-dressed in their traditional costumes.
GK Chairman of the Board-Bro. Abe Dela Cruz gave the first talk and discussed the importance of the work with the poor in the vision and mission of CFC. He said that GK is truly a faith that is put into action. “I have been a member of CFC since 1996 and through my active involvement in the organization I came to realize that to be a Christian means to love the poor” he said. “As an overseas worker”, he continued “this is also my way of saying thank you for the generosity that this country has given me and to my family.”
To date, GK-PNG has built 20 complete houses, where twelve (12) of these units were made possible through its partnership with SVS Mart- an Indonesian owned company and one of the leading grocery store in the country. “I believe we are doing the right thing and we are just doing our part to share back to the community the profit we are making in the business” Mr. Hidajat Hanafi (managing director of SVS).
Furthermore, GK-ANCOP Australia has funded 42 children and a water pump for the GK village at Gerehu Stage 6 in National Capital District of Papua New Guinea. For two years now, they have also sent GK Youth volunteers through GK-YGAT to help in the construction of the houses.
Joekarl Diaz, one the GK- YGAT participants, has shared his experience in the construction of the greenhouse, the memorable bush camping, and the relationship they have built with the beneficiaries. “We have everything in Sydney” he said, “but to experience life in the bush with the beneficiaries and knowing the simplicity of their life makes me realize that God has blessed us so much and that we also have so much to share with them. I have learned so many things from my great adventure with them in the bush that I have not yet experienced in Australia.”
After the talks Bro. Abe dela Cruz- chairman and Bro. Andrew Kealaua, Executive Director, presented the certificate of appreciation to the following partners ; SVS Mart, Niugini Glass and Aluminum, Goodman Fielders, Taubmans Paint, Department of Agriculture and Livestock, Konsi Ltd., PNG Power Ltd., Don Bosco Technological Institute, RD Tuna Canners Ltd., The National and Lohberger Engineering Ltd.
The congress was concluded with a closing remark from Bro. Caesar Nunez, CFC- Port Moresby Chapter Head. He said the work with the poor faces so many challenges and the way to surpass all these challenges was for us to work together as one community and one nation. Together, we can build a nation free from poverty.
Joekarl Diaz, one the GK- YGAT participants, has shared his experience in the construction of the greenhouse, the memorable bush camping, and the relationship they have built with the beneficiaries. “We have everything in Sydney” he said, “but to experience life in the bush with the beneficiaries and knowing the simplicity of their life makes me realize that God has blessed us so much and that we also have so much to share with them. I have learned so many things from my great adventure with them in the bush that I have not yet experienced in Australia.”
