hey people how’s your holiday so far? i hope it’s all good. while all of you are on christmas shopping spree or working for buckeroos, i’ve went on a study trip with my whole course to Philippines!
well i would say it’s really an enriching trip, if not a life changing one.
I’ve spent 6 days in Philippines, Bacolod & Manila. It may seem long but it sure is short for the 42 of us who went. It was my first overseas trip in Ngee Ann and definitely an awesome one.
Well, I basically went there to get to know more about Gawad Kalinga (GK). It’s an social enterprise that aims to end poverty in Philippines and from what I see when i visited Philippines, they sure are on their way to end poverty! They have, an even even even bigger goal- GK777: to build 700,000 homes in 7000 communities in 7 years. I foresee their success already.
Guess what? before entering into Diploma in Business & Social Enterprise (BZSE), I’ve honestly never thought of setting foot into slums. Well, to me, i thought that since i’m born in singapore, singapore is now of a developed country and i don’t have much of a responsiblity to go to the less developed country and help. This was my initial thoughts! It was kind of true anyway since i’m living comfortably here in singapore.
However after the 6 days, the initial thoughts was gone. I saw the need to remove people away from poverty.I toured 3 GK villages and some of the Filippinos are still slum dwellers. I cannot imagine living in a house that does not have a foundation and a proper shelter. Water is limited and some of them don’t even have enough food.
(This is the well that everyone gets their water from.)
(the houses in the slum)
Besides a research project that we’re conducting in GK, we also helped to build houses for the villagers. It was a new experience for myself and even my other friends because we don’t build our own houses in singapore. for the people in GK, they build their own houses and it makes them proud of their work and it restores their dignity. i can’t tell you how much the villages are happy to have a home called their own.
(building in action!)
Also, in the 6 days, I’ve interacted with some kids in the communities and i think they are what made this trip so impactful for me. I was touched by their generousity and hospitality. The kids (and the villagers) had nothing to much that they can gave us, but what we received from them, were the best of what they had. The irony? We had so much but we didn’t have anything that we can give it to them.
I’ve actually learnt to appreciate things around me. Basic necessities such as water, food, shelter and clothes to wear, we’ve taken them for granted. Another lesson that I’ve learnt from the kids in Philippines is that happiness is simple. happiness comes from within, not materialistic goods.
(the kids who are contented with what they have)
I just thought i wanted to share some of my thoughts about the trip with you guys. I feel that this overseas study trip is really a meaningful and enriching one. I thank NP for giving this chance to us because we learn so much more than what we can learn from just books.
oh yeah, another upcoming event that my friends and i will be involved in, with GK will be the GK Summit 2010. It was held in Boston this year but next year, it’ll be held in Ngee Ann Polytechnic. It’s really an honour for us to be hosting this event and it’ll definitely be a great learning experience.
I have so much to share with you about the whole trip but it’s getting really wordy so congratulations if you’ve made it here.
Just a parting quote from the founder of GK, Tony Meloto: “less for self, more for others, enough for all”
It’s the christmas season now so have a merry merry happy christmas!
To those who’ve signed up for the RED Camp special program, I can’t wait to see you!
To those who haven’t, hurry and sign up now!!!!
PS: I saw 3 rainbows and 2 shooting stars just from this trip alone! I don’t think we’ll ever see it in Singapore! Lucky eh? 
have a blessed christmas,
Nianting ((:
