Loving the Poor Out of Poverty (‘Walang Imposible, kung Walang Iwanan’)

ERNIE E. MAIPID, JR

It has been close to 27 years, and Gawad Kalinga (GK), a community-based development program for the underprivileged, is still faithfully and actively at it. By God’s grace and unfolding, its mission of loving the poor will stay and continue beyond us.

It all started with building houses out of the warm hearts of many. The feeding and education of children foĺlowed. Livelihood strategies were introduced and tried out. Health concerns were likewise pressing. In all these external manifestations, however, what persisted was a deep desire to lift the poor’s sagging morale and pave the way for seeing their human worth.

Beyond all efforts, GK’s firm belief in the poor’s dignity and God’s plan for their welfare held on.

Building relations with these families through its presence has been GK’s daily dose on the ground. We have been seeing them. We have been talking. We have been sitting to listen to their stories. We have been utilizing time and energy together, exchanging notes, dreaming plans, and thinking impossibilities into possibilities.

Encouraging, inspiring, holding the poor’s fearful hands, and journeying the dark with them through viable methods have been ongoing concerns. This long and arduous journey of setting the captive poor to freedom will stay as long as God sees fit.

The fruits and blooms from these humble strides have prodded the givers, sharers, and receivers to continue this dynamic exchange of work inspired by mutual love and respect for one another. Today, GK communities nationwide see our young being fed to nourish their growth, being read to encourage the fulfillment of hopes, and being taught to learn the basics of living and thriving.

Indeed, the vision of the poor rising to their worth sustains us. God has made it all happen!