Building hope through homes
Wed, September 24 2008
Their fragile homes face the constant threat of being swept away by the nearby sea, especially during strong typhoons.
But these residents will soon stop living in squalor as they will have their very own sturdy, brightly coloured and beautiful Gawad Kalinga, or GK, homes, reported the Inquirer.
Western Union Company and GK recently turned over the first 10 homes to selected families in Barangay Bucana Sasahan, as part of the first phase of the company’s housing project for the poor in this area.
The turnover was led by Western Union’s executive vice president for the Asia-Pacific Ian Marsh, who revealed that Western Union offices in Israel and 16 European countries have partnered with GK since last year to build a total of 30 houses in Cavite where most residents have loved ones working overseas.
The housing project in Barangay Bucana Sasahan is part of the company’s Our World, Our Family program, which helps families overcome barriers, achieve their dreams and stay connected.
“We at Western Union are optimistic that these homes we have built with GK will serve as the first step toward realizing the dreams of the families of Barangay Bucana Sasahan,” Marsh said.
He added that they partnered with GK because they share the conviction that the poor need, aside from love and care, dignity and decent living conditions.
“Western Union has always been committed to the upliftment of the lives of the underprivileged. We are very pleased to take part in helping liberate the poor in the Philippines from the clutches of poverty, helplessness and hopelessness,” Marsh said.
The 10 chosen families also received a moving-in kit which included a roll-up bed, basic home tools and furnishings like a coal stove for cooking and heating because of inadequate electricity supply in the area.
Giving care to those who need it
GK’s vision for the Philippines is a slum-free, squatter-free nation through a simple strategy of providing land for the landless, homes for the homeless, food for the hungry.
Together with its partners, GK is now in the process of transforming poverty stricken areas with the goal of building 700,000 homes in seven years between 2003-2010. Gawad Kalinga is working in over 900 communities all over the world.
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