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| Residents in Village #1 opened their house to welcome their visitors. |
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| This marker at Village #1 was perfect for a photo opportunity. |
Our tasks included cementing the floor inside (10 units are currently undergoing construction) and flattening the pathway in front of these houses in preparation for pavement. As non-skilled workers (more precisely, not at all construction workers!), it was no easy job for us but it was certainly labor of love! The upbeat music that was played in the background while we were working kept the mood festive. In the end, it was not how many buckets of cement we mixed and carried, or how much floor area we covered, or the length of the alley that the boys successfully flattened that mattered most. More than that, it was the camaraderie and the interaction we had with the villagers -- both the young ones and the young once. We had been made richer by the the profound human experience we gained during our short stay at the village. We will always remember the warm welcome of cheering villagers that surprised us on our arrival. Many of us got goose bumps -- even became teary-eyed -- seeing the joy on their faces as we walked our way from the over-sized jeepneys we had rented from Jeepney Tours to the multi-purpose hall for the briefing. The day was packed with getting-to-know the villagers who opened their houses for us, building together with volunteers among the residents, playing games with the young children, applauding song and dance renditions prepared by the teenagers, kids harvesting vegetables from the garden, and in the end, sharing experiences as our colleagues, the Gawad Kalinga (GK) team and the villagers sat together to wrap up the day's activities. In one voice, we all gave thanks and praise to our Almighty God who made this day possible. It was team-building, and at the same time building bridges with our less fortunate brothers and sisters.
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| Briefing shortly before taking our shovels and pickaxes. |
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| Mixing cement was a new experience for most of us. |
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| A human chain made it less difficult to transport buckets of mixed cement. |
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| Ready with their pickaxes, the boys were tasked to flatten the pathway. |
In 2009 when Air France KLM in the Philippines partnered with Gawad Kalinga, we were ready for 16 houses only. Immediately, the inspiration to be part of this cause started spreading. The generosity of friends living here and in Europe enabled more houses to be constructed. Today, there are 35 completely-built houses at the Air France KLM Village that are already occupied by families who used to live in shanties. By next month, 10 more houses will be ready to be awarded to recipient families.
The GK team prepared a cheer for us which is an adaptation of Gawad Kalinga's battlecry. It kept our spirits high throughout the day.
Air France KLM, walang iwanan .... ooh-ah, ooh-ah!
Air France KLM, walang iwanan .... ooh-ah, ooh-ah!
Ooh-ah, ooh-ah ... Air France KLM, walang iwanan!
Ooh-ah, ooh-ah ... Air France KLM, walang iwanan!
(The literal tranlsation of the Tagalog phrase "walang iwanan" is "leave no one behind")
As we bade goodbye to our ever-grateful hosts, tears were visible in the eyes of some villagers despite our assurance that we shall return!
Air France KLM,walang iwanan .......!
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