Every year volunteers, partners, advocates and heroes of Gawad Kalinga (GK) from all over the world make a special trip to the Philippines. Gawad Kalinga translated means to give care. The trip is special in a way that balikbayan boxes are rarely a sight at the Check-In counters and neither are five star hotels on the itinerary. Every now and then there might be a tourist spot visited but not guaranteed. These special trips are sponsored and coordinated by Answering the Cry of the Poor (ANCOP) Foundation, USA, Inc. ANCOP is a registered non-profit 501(c)(3) organization here in the US that works hand in hand with GK of the Philippines.
The Trip. No five star hotels? Tourist spots occasionally? Why should you go? The trip is about Filipinos returning to the land they’re from or the land of their ancestry. The trip is about returning to one’s roots or touching base with one’s roots. The trip will take you to places not seen on postcards or tourist guide brochures. The trip will have you meet people who hardly speak English and barely have anything in common with you. The places you will go and the people you will meet are those often forgotten or ignored by society. Are you up to the challenge and experience of a lifetime?
The Guarantee. There is enough negativity around us without even soliciting. The trip guarantees you an insight and first hand experience of something positive happening in the Philippines. Skeptical about the success stories of GK? Come join us and be a part of the transformation that’s taking place all over the Philippines. Witness first hand how hope and dignity are being restored to the poorest of the poor. Witness an instant community rise from nothingness. Revitalize your outlook that there is hope in this world, one destitute person at a time, one family at a time, one community at a time, one country at a time. Let’s start with the Philippines, be a part of it and say Kasali ako d’yan (I’m part of it)! Finally, the trip not only transforms beneficiaries but benefactors as well. Life will never be the same after GK, guaranteed .
Go bayanihan . Go build a nation. We invite you to join the GK BAYANIHAN BUILD ’08 on JANUARY 4-11 and 18-25 or June 6-13 and 20-27, 2008 . For more detailed information, visit our website at http://venus.whbdns.com/~arcware/GKBuild/build.php , contact Tony and Marieta Pascua at tpascua@ancopusa.org , (661) 288-1672 or Evans Raymundo at evansraymundo@hotmail.com (661) 2968734. Trips for groups of 10 or more can be arranged outside of the above dates.
To a non-Filipino, this trip will be an unforgettable experience of literally making a difference. To a Filipino or an American of Filipino decent, this is about giving back and tracing one’s roots.
Make a difference! Be transformed! Be a Balik-bayani, a hero for others! JOIN the GK Bayanihan Build ’08!
To learn more about ANCOP and Gawad Kalinga, please check our web sites:
http://www.ancopusa.org
http://www.gawadkalinga.org