Laudato si' in action: Inspiring community development in Western Visayas

Thirty-three (33) leaders and members from nine (9) communities from Negros Occidental, Iloilo, and Capiz participated in Capability Building Training 1: 'My Personal Community Development Journey' and Capability Building Training 2: 'Community Development and Nation Building', in response to the call of Laudato si'. Seven (7) full-time workers participated as the service team for this training that provided a platform for introspection and collaboration hosted at GK ERH in Bacolod, Negros Occidental from 6 to 7 April 2024. This training initiative program was launched in November 2023 in Del Carmen, Siargao.

The community leaders were given the chance to reflect and exchange stories on their personal GK journey, the changes in their family lives and how their respective communities journeyed for development. This initiative, enhanced by a session on Laudato si', aimed to empower participants to lead sustainable community development efforts as their way of responding to the call of caring for our common home.

Interactive activities were utilized for sharing community experiences and for immediate application of the learnings from the workshop.

Gawad Kalinga Ateneo (GKA) and the Gawad Kalinga Builders Institute (GKBI) developed the modules and piloted this training for the communities in the Visayas. The graduates are expected to help echo this effort to their respective communities and eventually replicate these together with the pool of volunteer facilitators (graduates of Facilitators’ Training held on 5 April 2024) from 42 other communities in Negros Occidental, Capiz, and Iloilo. Together with the community leaders, we will continue building sustainable, empowered Laudato si' communities.

Some anecdotes from the training participants:

"Naanod ng baha noong bagyong Goring ang bahay ko. Nagpasalamat ako at natanggap ako dito sa GK matapos ko makumpleto ang mga requirements. Nakikiisa ako sa pag-alaga at pag-unlad ng among komunidad." (My house was washed away by the flood during Typhoon Goring. I am thankful that I was accepted here in GK after completing the requirements. I am joining in caring for and developing our community.)

“Nademolish ang bahay ko. Nagpapasalamat ako sa Panginoon at nandito na (ko) sa GK ERH. Nakilala ko ang aking mga kapitbahay. Nagtutulungan kami dito at masaya ako ngayon dito kasama ng aking pamilya.” (My house was demolished. I am thankful to the Lord that I am now here at GK ERH. I have met my neighbors. We help each other here, and I am happy to be here with my family.)

After Yolanda, many families lost their homes. Mrs. Tirol, a landowner, donated a parcel of  land where GK Sara now stands. And Monsanto donated 54 houses.

“Subong, nagabuligay kami para sa iba nga communities,  implementar feeding program. Kag pakit-an sa pagtanom mga vegetables kag mga bulak para sa pagkaon kag  beautification  sang community.” (Now, we unite in helping other poor communities in implementing feeding programs for other communities. We also plant vegetables for our consumption and ornamental plants to keep our community green and beautiful.)

Photos courtesy of GK-Ateneo