GK1MB AUSTRALIA

News Blog by Joekarl Diaz

Dear GK Youth!!
 
As most of you are aware that there is a very important issue at the moment regarding the status of GK in Australia.

Download JLO Letter to Australia

Download GKAA Statement 2010
 
The current status of GK Youth Australia is: it is the youth branch of GK ANCOP Australia Ltd.

Kuya Luis Oquinena, the Executive Director of GK in the Philippines is arriving in January 2011 and we would like to have a GK Youth forum and hear the opinions and comments of all GK Youth in order to establish a collective decision for GK Youth by GK Youth.

Please come join us for a forum with Kuya Luis on Saturday 15 January 2011 at DOOLEYS, cnr Clyde Street and Silverwater Road, 10am.
 
Please make this day and time free. It is very important to make and hear your voice that may shape the future of youth in Australia working for GK. 

 
We continue to pray for wisdom and strength.
 
Let us keep the fire burning.
 
GK Youth Australia
  
If you have any questions you may contact any of the following:
 
JK – 0410 573 429 joe_s_diaz@hotmail.com
EJ – 0401 663 466 ejcuaresma@gmail.com
Lalaih – 0414 456 476 lalaih_11@yahoo.com

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

News Blog by James Palomo (Australian GK Youth Correspondent in the Philippines)

Hi all! Hope everyone is doing well in Australia! I’m definitely enjoying my time here so far as it is an ongoing rollercoaster ride that I am still riding along, and at the moment I don’t want to get off. Come to think of it, I’ve been here in the Philippines serving in GK for more than a year now! I arrived here back in August 2009, and right now its November 2010…about a year and 2-3 months!

Well, it’s been full of things to talk about, and there are just so many things, but I guess I’d just like to share a few of my favourite experiences thus far…

• Typhoon Ondoy (Ketsana) – Yeah I know you might be thinking, “Hello…TYPHOON! How is that a good experience?”, but then again, I’m not talking about the typhoon itself, but actually the events after. The magic starting the following Monday after the typhoon hit; the trip to Manila originally being for the GK Expo suddenly becoming a call for all GK workers and volunteers alike to join the GK relief efforts that would continue straight for the following two weeks. During those two enduring but joyous weeks, we saw the best come out of everyone, and sometimes the worst (relating to fatigue and/or desperation). Strangers coming together in the spirit of Bayanihan to help their fellow Filipinos that were experiencing some of the lows of their life. No matter how young, they were all there to help and to contribute. Even though each individual impact seemed small, together, it was really making a change.

• Riding around Mindanao (and the rest of the Philippines) meeting all different people – Being an Australian-born Filipino, growing up in Australia, you always hear the bad things about Mindanao, and I probably never thought that I would ever go to Mindanao, let alone in the space of a few days. But as it ends up, I did – and this was all part of the job. Travelling around and meeting different people from different places, all of these people trying to do their part in Gawad Kalinga and in Nation Building. The public air-con buses were cold and the travel time was gruelling at times (from Davao City to Butuan being about 8 hours). As soon as you came off the bus, you were definitely glad that you reached your destination. And in GK, every destination is a good one, since there is always someone warm that you would be greeted and welcomed by. Even if it is the first time that they meet you, they would still be happy to have you there and willing to help. I am always happy when I’m going around to the different parts of the Philippines and visiting the different GK workers and communities – it’s another way for me to recharge and be reminded of just why this work is so important.

• Being able to share my experiences with others and spread the word of GK – My role here in Davao City is in GK1MB, particularly the youth, which is to grow the number of volunteers. Through the GK Builders Camps and other GK activities, I’ve been able to share my stories and the stories of GK and have made a number of friends along the way – students, Kapitbahayan, school staff, other GK workers. From just helping to organise these events for these different people to be part of, and really being there for one another and helping each other, I feel a sense of the others – the youth, the Kapitbahayan, schools – really grasping what it is about GK that really keeps me inspired in the work.

Even though at times I might get tired from the number of GK activities, one after another, I still feel very lucky to be in this work and to be doing what I’m doing, and although its been more than a year for me here in the Philippines, it’s only gotten better and better with time, and I feel blessed to have this opportunity. I’m sure anyone in my position, experiencing all the things that I have, would be the same too.

Anyways, that’s all I have at the moment! Till next update, take care all and God bless!

News Blog by Joekarl Diaz

Hi GK Youth!!
 
A reminder that the GK Youth Camping Retreat is this coming weekend.
 
We changed the venue to Victoria Falls because it is a more exciting place to walk and camp! It is time for us to get together again and have a retreat from our daily grind as a GK YOUTH.
 
We have achieved so many great things this year – GK YGAT Phils, GK Harvest, Bayani Challenge, C2S, Advocacy Groups, GK Ambassador, YGAT PNG, YGAT Cambodia and the most recent GK1Day – to name a few. It is great for us, before we end the year, to retreat and reflect on these and what else is in the future for us, as GK volunteers. It will be a good time for us to bond closer as a unified GK YOUTH.

This GKY Retreat will involve a 2hr hike from Victoria Falls lookout to the camping ground at the bottom of the mountain. During this walk we will reflect and talk about the future of GK Youth in Australia. Most of us have journeyed in YGAT so let us journey again to determine ways on how to build ourselves as GK Youth and the GK Youth movement here in Australia.

Here are some questions to start the ball rolling:
1. How do you see the GK Youth movement currently travelling in Australia?
2. How do you see yourself as being part of GK Youth Australia?
3. What do you expect to see in GK Youth as it continues its movement in Australia?
 
As for logistics, please remember to bring the following essentials:
- 2L water (or more if you want)
- sleeping bag
- spare shirt, spare shorts/pants, spare socks
- your YGAT journal
- pen
 
We will arrange lunch, dinner and breakfast for our overnight camp. Let us meet up at Blacktown on Saturday morning and depart by 8:30am so we can reach our camping ground with plenty of time before dusk. We estimate to be back by 5pm on Sunday.
 
Address: 31 Third Avenue Blacktown (first driveway after Caltex petrol station)
 
Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns.
 
Hope to see you soon in high spirit!!
 
PS. Anyone in GK Youth or has been to a GAT is welcome to attend. Please pass on to others who are not often on emails.
 
Lalaih, EJ, Christine & JK
GK Youth Australia
 
http://www.wildwalks.com/bushwalking-and-hiking-in-nsw/blue-mountains-blackheath-/victoria-falls-lookout.html

News Blog by GK1MB Admin Committee

Three of our GK1MB members, Jonathan Yunon, Josanne Musa and Marie Oconer all took part in this year’s City2Surfy for GK. Now they’re running for their passion once again and need your support as they continue their ’race to erase poverty’.

Jono and Josanne are both participating in the 2010 Rebel Sport Run4Fun, presented by The Sun-Herald on the 7th November 2010. Marie together with her Tax Risk Management (TRM) Team at KPMG will be participating in this year’s JPMorgan Chase Corporate Challenge on 10 November.

Below are the links to their following fundraising pages. Thank you for your continuous support! Good luck to our runners! GK represent!

Jonathan Yunon http://www.everydayhero.com.au/jonathan_yunon_8

Josanne Musa http://www.everydayhero.com.au/hero_pages/view_posts/josanne_musa_2010

Marie Oconer http://www.everydayhero.com.au/TRMKPMG

News Blog by James Palomo (Australian GK Youth Correspondent in the Philippines)

Hello all,

Hope everyone is doing well and enjoying! It’s been a while so I’ll have to recap what has been happening for me here in GK Philippines.

GK Global Summit 2010 – Singapore
I was lucky enough to be able to attend the GK Global Summit in Singapore this year. It was a great experience being there, seeing all these different people from different countries around the world wanting to talk about GK and how we can improve and work together to grow the work. I was lucky enough to be part of the service team, as part of GKOM – being the person to play the music on queue for the performances, both for local Singapore talent and also the Tatalon Choir and the RCS. Although I was mostly up in the sound booth keeping myself busy, on my off time, I was able to just see how much effort went into the whole event, from the accommodations, to the transportation and also the venue(s) itself. Also, the guests that were there ranged from politicians, corporations and students from all over the world. And of course, I was able to catch up with my good old friends from Australia! It was great to catch up with them and at the same time, be there in Singapore for the Global Summit with them. It was really a great moment when Australia accepted the chance to be the venue for the Global Summit next year! I’m really looking forward to being there for that, especially since I’ll be right at home for that major event.

Values Formation Talks at GK MEDSA, Tibungco
I was asked to do one of the talks for the values formation track at GK MEDSA, Tibungco in Davao City, where I am assigned. It was really a pleasure and honour for me, since I’ve been doing more activities in the GK1MB Program and this is part of the Community Building Program of GK. For me, this is the more important work as this works towards improving the people themselves – their attitudes, their ambitions and dreams and getting them to strive for the best for themselves and each other. I was given the topic of “Bayanihan”, which is always talked about in GK in general, which means to be heroes for one another, and together to work to a common goal for the improvement of the community. I could tell that they were trying their best to understand what I was saying, even though I was speaking mostly in English. At least I talked slowly and used as much hand gestures as possible. Also, I made sure I had some main points that I want them to remember in Bisaya so at least they have those main points that I want them to take away from the talk. Overall I think they understood and they seemed very willing to work together to make their village the best it can be for themselves and their community.

After, I had them do a team building activity for about 10 mins, which was to make a bridge out of newspaper and tape, and to make it strong enough to support a full can of Coke. It was such a sight to see and you could see them trying to strategise how to make it work. I think they had fun and at the same time saw that they could work together even on something small.

GK Builders Camp at GK Riverdrive, Saavedra, Matina Pangi
You’ve seen probably other Builders Camps that I’ve organised in previous posts, but this camp was slightly different. During this camp, the site doesn’t really have any build activity at the moment, so instead we had a Child Youth Development (CYD) activity, called Paraisong Pambata, where the young birthday celebrants of the month (usually Sibol kids, ages 3-6) celebrate their birthday together. It’s good because at least its more likely the families can afford having a party together rather than separately. This time, we were able to get a sponsor for the party, so this was even better.

The teacher at the site, Mam Jeng, organised an Amazing Race activity to go around the GK site and have different activities per station. The teams were made up of the camp participants (mostly college students) and the Sibol kids. It was interesting to see because there were different activities such as jogging and star jumps, sack races, dancing the “Itik Itik” and also rubbing charcoal or flour on your face while singing the Philippine National Anthem! Not to mention walking like a duck to the next station (which really kills the thighs, and I’m so glad I didn’t join a team).

After the Amazing Race activity, we had the birthday lunch, which of course includes Spaghetti (for long life) and a chocolate cake! It was really great and you could see the kids and the students really enjoying every moment of the party. And the kids were really cute and adorable, in their Sibol school uniforms.

After the lunch, we witnessed a crazy side come out of the kids as the “Pabitin” game went up and the kids started reaching for the little presents and sweets on the hanging grids. It was funny because some of the kids grabbed the actual frame and was able to get a few bags from the Pabitin. But all the kids got at least one thing from the frame.

It was a great feeling, and I think too for the students, to share this special day with the kids and to be able to spend time with the kids and make their day brighter, even if it is just for one day.

News Blog by James Palomo (GK Youth Australia Correspondent in the Philippines)

Hey guys,

I’ve been pretty busy so I haven’t been able to do an update for a while, but I have some time now, so I thought I’d better do one while I can! There are so many things that I’ve experienced and been a part of in GK, that I’ve lost track of what I’ve done. At least I have pictures to jog my memory, so here are a few of the things that I’ve done in the past few months.

Compostela Valley Bayani Challenge and Highway of Peace (H.O.PE) Caravan 2010

About a week and a half after the GK1MB Bayani Challenge in Palawan, that I set off for a local Bayani Challenge to be held in the province of Compostela Valley (Comval) in Mindanao, along with a delegation from Davao City, consisting of GK Kapitbahayan (beneficiaries living in the GK sites) from GK sites in Davao City and a few GK volunteers and workers. Again, having the same goal of trying to finish building a house within the span of 5 days.

It was very different from Palawan because it was a totally new site, and our accommodation was in tents, and it was wet most of the time. I’d have to say I don’t really enjoy camping in the rain, but that’s what it came to. But I guess it had its own element of fun. The house we had to build there was from about window level and we were able to finish it! I was there mainly in a supportive capacity and to be able to help when I can, since we were a fairly big team and had more than enough people to help out. It was really great to see everyone working together – from the LGU, different companies and religious organizations building a whole village together.

The other part of the experience at Comval was the Highway of Peace. We had a caravan of cars going from both northern and southern parts of Comval to head to the build site where we were building, to spread the movement of peace and GK’s support of it. Comval used to be known as a NPA (New People’s Army) area, but they have subsided mostly (from what I know), especially because living conditions for them are improving, and I think it’s partly to do with Comval Governor Ernesto Uy and his full support of GK in Comval. He wants to have at least one GK village in every municipality in the province by the end of the year, so it’s helping a lot for those that need the extra help.

Combuild Workshops

From time to time when available (or even when I’m not), I’ve been asked to accompany the Combuild (Community Building) team to assist in their workshops around Mindanao, including Davao City (catering for Davao del Sur, Davao del Norte and Compostela Valley), Iligan in Lanao del Norte and Surallah in South Cotabato (catering for South Cotabato and Sultan Kudarat).

Formerly, Combuild used to be known as GK Kapitbahayan (KB), where they focused on just the values formation of the beneficiaries and ensuring they take on the values of GK. Now, the program has been restructured as Combuild, as GK is taking a new direction for their GK communities, in that GK is not just building homes, but really building communities, and that the answers for GK lie with the KB of the communities, and that the work should be focused more on them rather than the houses.

The workshops are conducted usually over a weekend for a day and a half and are a series of sessions and activities about the GK way, an understanding of Combuild and its direction, building the relationships between the participants and also important tools and practices the caretaker teams and KB can use together in working on building the community in their respective GK sites and even the region.

During the workshops, I would either be helping to set up for the games or sessions, and even at times, they would ask me to present one of the sessions. For me, that is something that is an honour, and a challenge at the same time. Since, for one, the people I’m presenting to know more about GK than what I could ever know since they work closer to the GK sites than I do, and most of them speak Bisaya and aren’t too comfortable with English, which means I have to try and find a way to make sure they feel comfortable and comprehend whatever I’m presenting to them. The times when I’m presenting, I would usually have the main points translated into Bisaya so that they will at least understand the main points and remember them.

Overall, the experiences with Combuild have been very overwhelming and so fulfilling at the same time. To be able to meet the people that make the GK communities happen and coordinate all the people involved, and to be able to help them develop at the same time makes the experience even greater.

News Blog by EJ Cuaresma

When viewers turn on the television, listen to the radio or read a newspaper, they are bombarded with news of crime, corruption and violence from around the world. Poverty is often shown by an image of a child or the lack of resources in a suffering country. However, if people, particularly young adults, live according to God’s plan, share His love and resources, they are able to restore the dignity of the poor and challenge themselves to respond to the call for social justice. 

Since its inception in 2004, GK Youth Australia, formerly known as Young ANCOP, continue to believe in its mission statement and motto “Live. Share. Restore.” GK Youth is a collective of young individuals who have used their experiences and awareness to devote their time, effort and resources in doing small things to make a big difference. Creativity, self discipline, transformation and team work are all part of the journey in GK Youth.

There have been numerous challenges and achievements that GK Youth Australia has encountered over the years. Several programs and projects such as GK Ambassador, GK1Day, GK1MB, City2Surf, GK Summit and the GK Concerts have all been opportunities for the youth to develop and appreciate the passion in serving the less fortunate. In particular, GK Youth Australia has now sent over 250 GK Youth Great Adventure Tour (GKY GAT) participants to the Philippines, Cambodia and Papua New Guinea; not including the annual CFC Youth For Christ and Singles For Christ GATs and other youth partners’ GK build immersion programs. 

It is evident that the unique concept of Ohana (family) remains alive in GK Youth; empowering each other to then inspire others. To bring hope, joy and meaning to the lives of young people is an important vision of GK Youth Australia. People choose different priorities or directions in life and GK offers a sense of fulfillment that unleashes hidden talents from people of all ages. Through humbleness and determination, the heart, mind and spirit of GK live on.

There is no full-time worker for Gawad Kalinga in Australia however, there are countless heroes and builders of the GK movement. One of the memorable highlights last year was the Operation Typhoon Relief wherein GK Youth, together with ANCOP Australia, garnered support in raising donations and managing contributions for the Typhoon Ondoy victims.

In 2010, the transition from Social Justice to Social Artistry, the next stage in GK2024 vision will begin and the introduction of Focus Groups will be implemented. New GAT participants are strongly encouraged to be involved and informed so that the unity and vision of GK Youth will continue to impact and inspire others.