TEAM GK AUSTRALIA » GK YGAT

GKYGAT Forum

admin — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 01:24:57 +0000

News Blog by GK YGAT Leaders

Dare to go on an overseas adventure and see something different??

Want to experience a completely different culture??

Interested in volunteering and working with the underprivileged??
…
The GK YGAT (Youth Great Adventure Tour) program has been operating for the past 7 years allowing young people to volunteer and travel overseas to developing countries to make a difference whilst experiencing a deeper appreciation and understanding for the countries itself.

GK Youth Australia has organised a free interactive information session for you to come and find out more about the upcoming YGAT trips to Cambodia, Papua New Guinea and Philippines.

This forum is specially designed for participants, family and friends and anyone else who’s interested to find out more about the YGAT program from leaders and past participants. Information such as:
• GK and the YGAT program
• Past experiences on YGATs
• Details and proposed trip itinerary (including travelling arrangements, departure dates etc.)
• Important things to organise before departure (ie. Visas, vaccinations, medication)
• What to bring during the YGAT
and much more…..

The trip will include building homes for families, interacting with the locals and learning more about the GK programs of Shelter and Site Development, Health, Productivity, Values Formation, Health and Community Empowerment.

So come down to Parramatta on Saturday 25th June to find out how you can be a part of this or just drop by to find out what all the fuss is about!!

Are YOU ready?
The first step begins with you taking action!!

If you would like further information or interested but unable to attend, please email us at: gkygat@gk-youth.org
Light refreshments and snacks will be provided.
Parking available on-site

Facebook Event Page: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/event.php?eid=120975527986440

GK YGAT Survey – Your help needed!

admin — Tue, 10 May 2011 03:24:21 +0000

News Blog by Rachel (Cheng) Loyola

Greetings GK Youth!

I hope this finds all of you happy and well!

I would like to introduce myself to those of you who may not know me. My name is Rachel ‘Cheng’ Loyola, an active member of GK Youth Australia. I am currently conducting a social research project for UTS and GK Youth Australia focusing on GKYGAT, primarily in terms of volunteerism, expectations and retention rates.

I would be eternally grateful for 7-10 minutes of your time for you to complete the following survey http://app.fluidsurveys.com/s/loyolauts2011ygatsurvey/.

Please note that I have made the survey so that all answers and respondent information will remain anonymous. If you have any issues regarding privacy, please contact myself to discuss this further. Also, if you receive an invitation to do this twice, please disregard, and only complete once.

It would be greatly appreciated if you could please complete this survey by Sunday, 22 May 2011.

Peace and blessings,

Cheng Loyola

E: rachel.sanpedro.loyola@gmail.com

M: +61 414 389 128

GKYGAT 2011 in Hindsight

admin — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 13:40:46 +0000

News Blog by Marie Reyes

On 16 January 2011, I embarked on a two-week trip that would enrich my life. Along with 76 courageous Australians, we flew to the Philippines in a united quest to eradicate poverty through the Gawad Kalinga Youth Great Adventure Tour (GKY GAT) program. Gawad Kalinga (meaning ―to give care‖) is a movement that seeks to build viable and sustainable communities to end poverty. On this trip we got to see first-hand the holistic work of GK among the poor and be actively involved.

On the first day, we met our subgroup teams, had an orientation on GK and had three hours sleep before waking up at 3am the next day to catch a 6:50am flight to Mindoro Occidental. Arriving at San Jose Airport, we were met by an amazing entourage of people, including the Mayor, who were excited to welcome us, giving us the first taste of Filipino hospitality.

Then, our group headed to GK Rizal, an Australian-sponsored village, where many previous flood victims who lost their livelihoods were given not just a home but a chance to empower them and lift them out of an otherwise dire poverty situation. We were overwhelmed by their welcome as the residents greeted us with smiles, waves and greetings and gave each one of us beautifully hand-made neck adornments and trophies of honour even before we had begun any hard work.

It dawned on me that the gratitude and honour they extravagantly expressed and we were blessed to have received was the fruit of the seed that people before us had planted as they also chose to sacrifice time to volunteer and to give. It was the fruit of the seed planted by past volunteers and givers who believed that poverty can be made history as they invested in the work of GK. Fast-forward to years later, our group became the recipient of the harvest that came from the seed planted from before. We were reaping what previous volunteers have invested in. I realized that if I was looking for evidence of whether the work of GK truly does work, I just had to look at the smiles, the immense gratitude of these people to know that investing in building GK communities truly does transform the lives of the poor. Even the Governor and other local Government officials came to visit us and to thank us for what the previous volunteers and givers have invested in their District. Just as our welcome experience was, future volunteers and families, I believe, will definitely reap what we have sown in these two weeks. We were leaving a legacy just as those before us had done.

We were then immersed in the nutrition project arm of GK, known as ―Bayanihan‖, which aims to end hunger in the community by investing in planting vegetables and sharing the harvest. After eating a fabulous feast prepared for us and mingling with the children, we headed for a six-hour rough drive to Oriental Mindoro, where we would be spending most of our time.

Arriving at GK Victoria late at night, we were welcomed warmly with dance and song presentations and a visit from the local head of authorities before we were given a buddy and allocated a GK family and a GK house to live in for the rest of our stay. Here we got to live and learn the simplicity of how the poor live, without the comforts of a mattress or a hot shower, or readily running water. My buddy, Leah Subijano and I slept on hard wooden beds and pumped water to enable us to wash our clothes. I definitely learnt to not take things for granted and at the same time learnt that I can live without the extra that I have.The presentations from the youth the night before gave me a taste of the incredible pool of potential and talent that lies in the youth of the GK Victoria village, fostered and encouraged by the Child Youth Development (CYD) arm of GK. On the second day, we took part in a CYD program for the children as we played games, presented a song and dance with them and witnessed as they were taught by their teacher. With the vibrancy, the smiles, the energy and talents of these children, my belief in their worth was strengthened… that they are worth being given a fair go to hope and to dream and to aspire for their dreams. GK is giving them the chance to achieve their dreams.

In the afternoon, and the next couple of days after, my team and I absorbed ourselves in the actual building of the extra seven houses that will house and give hope to more families in deep poverty in the future. As someone who does not go to the gym, my muscles were definitely stretched and grew as we dug up three metres deep of soil to build a septic tank, plastered walls, sieved and mixed cement, carried bricks and buckets of cement and shoveled some more.

Despite getting sick, in my mind, I knew that every shovel in the ground I labored to do, every brick I endeavoured to carry, every bit of cement I sieved and plastered on the wall, I was, inch by inch, breaking the shackles of poverty in this region. Every effort, every ache of the muscle was not in vain. The work became so much easier with the team work and enthusiasm from the volunteers. It was easier doing it together rather than alone, as we saw with passing the buckets along rather than carrying the load individually. Every night after dinner, we would meet together and have talks and sharing, as the idea of being everyday heroes was instilled in us.

Over the following two days, we rode in jeepneys, a local mode of transportation, and went up the mountains to see the work that GK has started amongst the native tribe known as the Mangyan tribe. Their area is the hot spot for frequent cyclones that the wooden houses they had before could not withstand.

Now with their concrete GK houses, we engrossed ourselves in painting their houses with bright colours. We also took part in giving away school and hygiene packs along with toys we collected from Australia to the Mangyan kids. Along with the GK Victoria children, we took the Mangyan kids for a day out on a Sunday both to church, as faith is central to the Filipinos, and to a fast food outlet called Jollibee that they got to have for the first time. We also got to take them around to the beach and the port, as many of them got to see what a ship and what a beach look like for the first time.

On our final night in GK Victoria, after each subgroup team had given their hearts to perform and bless the community, we got to thank our host families that we stayed with for nine days and gave them small gifts as a token of gratitude.

I was blessed to have the host family I had. Having lived a hard

life, they told their story of how they came to receive a GK house. As GK is not a hand-out but focused on sweat equity, my host family had to help build the houses of others before they finally got to build their‘s. I deeply came to have affection for them. Tatay (father), was the sole breadwinner of the family and was an ice cream vendor, who earns a meager P150-300 per day (less than AUD$10 per day). They told how they were maltreated by their relatives due to their poverty, as they lost their previous belongings to pay for the hospital bills when their children got sick. (As I got sick myself on the trip and went to the hospital for antibiotics and paid P700 for it, I got to experience how the poor in the Philippines are enslaved by the hospital bills that take up a week‘s worth (or more) of their salary).Before being a recipient of a GK house, they relayed how they ended up living in slums, and built a house out of cartons and wood to survive and house the five young children they had (ranging from less than a year to 15 years old). They told how they struggled to send their children to school, with no food to take with them at times due to the lack of finance. Nanay (mother) used to be able to work, hand-washing laundry, but since she was diagnosed with a toxic goitre that is inoperable and expensive to medicate, she has been unable to work and stays at home to look after the children. She is often sick and I saw it one day when I was coming home during an afternoon break on a build day, where out of compassion, I washed the dishes that were left piled up and pumped water for stock. I am glad to know that the livelihood and health arm projects of GK Victoria are currently seeking to address these problems to enable families like my host family to break free from the cycle of poverty.

On that final night, I got a glimpse of what the beauty behind poverty looks like. My host family is one whose heart is generous and caring. They would often go the extra mile, waking up at 4:30am to cook breakfast for us, finding our dirty clothes in our rooms and washing them for us, and when I got sick, Tatay rode a bike out of the village into the market to buy me strepsils and paid for it. I insisted on paying them back despite their refusal.

And on the last night, Nanay came to my room, handed me a small and very battered prayer book (an indication it was previously frequently used), and said that since they don‘t own much to be able to give us something back, all that she could give me and Leah, my buddy, were her prayers… prayer for a safe journey wherever we were going….she handed the book to me since it was written in the local language and I understood it. My heart was very touched by the simple generous act. In my eyes, it was the best gift. Here was a family who had nothing yet had the heart to give and to care for someone they had only met a few days ago. If there was any question of why I was there, I found the answer by looking at my host family and sharing their dreams and their hopes for a better life! I witnessed how beautiful the heart of the poor is and they are definitely worth every cent and every effort to fly to. They were definitely worth the sacrifice and definitely worth us giving them a second chance at a life filled with hope and possibilities, free from the poverty that enslaves. It‘s as if I came back to Sydney, to tell you their story….

After saying our final goodbyes, we caught a ferry to Batangas and relaxed in the tranquility and beauty of Villa Escudero and had team bonding time as we played the amazing race. I have met some of the most amazing people on this trip and especially my subgroup team. Our

backgrounds in life were all different but all I know is that I was helping eradicate poverty with a group of ordinary young men and women with extraordinary hearts and a willingness to just get involved. These kinds of people are not perfect, but they are the ones that truly can change the world! Everyday heroes indeed!Our final outreach involved visiting both a public and a private school in Quezon City and we observed how the Education system of the Philippines worked and I was told that the public system had insufficient textbooks, more student to teacher ratio, had poor ventilation in rooms and poorer quality equipment.

We also visited an orthopaedic hospital, where we got to hear the stories of the patients, sang them songs, performed for them and brought them food. Even the kids in the hospital, with their broken bones hanging up on a pulley, clapped and sang and smiled and forgot their pain, even for just the short time we were there. Although exhausted and hungry, it was all worthwhile.

We also got to enjoy a Rest and Reflection day at Subic Bay, where after a hectic schedule we got to relax and rejuvenate. On our final day we donated soccer facilities to Far Eastern University and played with the GK Paradise Heights children. GK Paradise, was previously known as ―Smokey Mountain, home to the mountain of garbage the Philippines was known for, which has now seen transformation through GK.

We also drove to Bulacan GK Enchanted Farm, where the founder of GK, Tony Meloto was celebrating his granddaughter‘s birthday. Among us were businessmen and women from all over the world who saw the gold in GK and were prepared to invest in GK Enchanted Farm.

I was inspired by Tito Tony, as we refer to him, and I like especially how he never runs out of vision. GK Enchanted Farm is thriving. It used to be a place of war and rebellion, and now, because of what GK has done, it has turned into a place of peace and possibilities. Currently, plans are undergoing to make it into a viable economy as plans are now being developed to build a bed and breakfast business. They have also promoted a healthy drink product, which I got to taste and extremely liked, and it has found a market overseas. We also saw an overseas volunteer doing research on GK villages, an influx of professionals lending a hand to give strength to the GK model. GK Enchanted Farm is a model GK template that GK Victoria in Mindoro along with the over 1,700 GK villages standing, will soon follow suit. The best indeed is yet to unfold! With gaps addressed through the GK model and as the spirit of volunteerism and self-sacrifice from people like us continues, we are coming close to seeing a world without poverty becoming a true reality. The two week experience has definitely not just helped the poor, but has also changed me.

Source: GK TIMES Harvest Edition 2011 Issue 17

GKYGAT Philippines 2011

admin — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 23:16:43 +0000

Photos by R.P. Daguio

77 Participants took part in this year’s GK Youth Great Adventure Tour PHILIPPINES. The group had their build immersion at GK Victoria Village and were also fortunate enough to visit a GK Village inhabited by a Mangyan tribe during their stay in Mindoro. The outreach program also included day trips to the Mt Mater Carmeli School and National Orthopedic Hospital. Overall, the GATers had an adventure of a lifetime!

GK Youth Christmas Carolling

admin — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 01:35:13 +0000

News Blog by Jr Diaz

Here Ye Lads and Lasses!

In order to prepare for the annual GK Youth Christmas Carolling and get our voices warmed up, we’ve had carolling practices every Thursday night at my (Jr) house.

Thanks folks for lending your wonderful voices over the weekend! Let’s continue to spread some Yuletide this week!

If you would like to take part you are most welcome we need voices, guitars, kahons, tambourines and reindeer hats!

Only a few nights left til Christmas! Let me know if you can help out!

22 Dec – Westmead Private Hospital, cnr Mons Road and Darcy Road, Westmead

23 Dec – Ariola Family Residence

24 Dec – Natividad Residence

*** THANKS to everyone that has supported the GK Youth Christmas Carolling! To all the families, friends especially to Mt Druitt Hospital Palliative Care, Marian Hostel Calvary Retirement Community (Ryde) and Bossley Park Nursing Home, “we wish you a merry christmas and a happy new year!” ***

Jr Diaz (0405202531)
on behalf of
–
GKYGAT Team
gkygat@gk-youth.org

GKYGAT Philippines
Carla Cuanan (Sydney): 0410 137 470
Chris Davidson (Sydney): 0433 318 922
Paulo Daguio (Sydney): 0433 888 733
Ella Manongdo (Sydney): 0412 211 246

GKYGAT PNG

Marie Oconer(Sydney): 0401 947 957
Jonathan Yunon (Sydney): 0404 058 182

GKYGAT Cambodia
Frenzel Ano (Sydney): 0406 889 192
Cheryl Davidson (Sydney): 0430 714 759

PNG GK YGAT Harvest 21 Nov

admin — Mon, 08 Nov 2010 00:28:00 +0000

Photos by Jonathan Yunon, Marie Oconer and Cat Chan

This year on 9/11, 5 Australians and 1 American visited PNG for just over 2 weeks! Experiencing the PNG Culture, its people and of course living in the GK Village in Gerehu!

Come listen to their stories and experiences!

(Those who went were: Marie Oconer, Jonathan Yunon, Raelene Rillera, Catherine Chan, Aaron Atienza & Ronnie Gonzaga).

Next year’s PNG GK YGAT will also be discussed if you are interested in going!

FOOD WILL BE PROVIDED (Pls RSVP to aid with preps, thanks!)

Any queries please contact:

Marie: 0401 947 957

Jonno: 0404 058 182

GK YGAT Cambodia 2010

admin — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 00:54:24 +0000

News Blog by Frenzel Ano

In week 1, the team took a step back in time to learn about Cambodia’s dark history and the reason why the country was not able to maintain the same pace in growth as its neighbours.

The team were welcomed to GK Rafaella Village – where they stayed for the week – learning the language, customs and the villagers stories and way of life.

Work was also carried out at the school, that the previous GK Cambodia Team began in 2009.

In week 2, the GK Team lends a helping hand to other NGO’s (Non-Gonverment Organisations) in Cambodia.

Apart from visiting the The Missionaries of Charity, this year’s team (like previous teams) worked with the Catholic Church in Siem Reap in their community programs – from visiting communities and feeding children in remote locations.

The team also took a further step back in time – 1400 years in fact, to visit the Angkor ruins.

The trip ended with a final visit to the village, topped off by a small token for the team to remember this years GKYGAT Cambodia Tour.

Source: Facebook.com

GK YGAT Marketing Survey

admin — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 02:53:47 +0000

News Blog by GK1mB Admin Committee

Over the last 7 years, more than 250 young Australians have participated in the Gawad Kalinga Youth Great Adventure Tour. Christine Tran, a previous GK YGATer and UTS student is currently conducting a Research Project (“GK GAT – Effective Marketing Strategies”) and need as many responses as possible for this survey.

To all GK1mB members that have been on a GK YGAT, please follow the link below to the 8minute survey.

The last date to do the survey will be 11.30pm Wed 20th October.

THANK YOU!!!

www.surveymonkey.com/s/GKGATMarketing

Diverse in Sound, United in Purpose

admin — Wed, 01 Sep 2010 01:12:45 +0000

News Blog by GK1MB Admin Committee

Last Saturday, 28 August, the annual Live+Loud (GK YGAT Fundraising Event) was held at The Basement, Blacktown. Supporters and friends of GK listened to the tunes of several bands including Couch, Escapade, Running out of Reasons, Atomik Circus, Cosa Nostra, 8 Rays, The Impressionists and DJ CBay. Well done to the organisers, GK YGAT Teams, and thank you all for your strong support in the GK Youth Great Adventure Tour Program.

Source: Photos by Jonathan Yunon