From vision to reality: 10 new homes turned over in German Village, GK Kalikasan, Cabiao, Nueva Ecija

On 12 April 2025, ten families were formally welcomed into their new homes during a house turnover ceremony at the German Village in Gawad Kalinga Kalikasan, Brgy San Carlos, Cabiao, Nueva Ecija. The event marked an important step in supporting former informal settlers as they move into safer, more stable communities and work toward better living conditions.

The German Village in GK Kalikasan is part of a larger housing program supported by the Ateneo de Manila University, Gawad Kalinga, the Local Government Unit (LGU) of Cabiao, and international partners led by Dr Peter Scheid of Gawad Kalinga eV Germany, with funding from the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).  This turnover builds on the groundbreaking held earlier this year for 90 new houses scheduled for construction through 2028, further expanding the village beyond the 35 homes already completed.

During the ceremony, representatives from Gawad Kalinga Ateneo, LGU Cabiao, and the GK Nueva Ecija Provincial Management Team came together to honor the families’ hard work and determination in earning their new homes.  The program included touching messages, the symbolic turnover of keys, and the blessing of the houses—honoring not just the new homes, but the strong sense of community that made them possible.

Fr Ben Nebres SJ, former president of Ateneo de Manila University and a long-time advocate of Gawad Kalinga, offered inspiring words, reminding everyone that “every home built is a testament to our shared dream of a better future, especially for the children.”

Mayor Ramil B Rivera of Cabiao also shared his gratitude with all the stakeholders and partners, saying: “This is not just about building houses; it’s about building futures.”

For the ten families, many of whom previously lived in danger zones or informal settlements, these new homes represent more than shelter. They represent safety, dignity, and a fresh start. The joy was evident as children played freely and parents expressed their dreams for a brighter tomorrow.

The event was made even more meaningful through the support of community volunteers and youth from Shell Foundation, GK Kalikasan, and GK St Joseph. They helped prepare the program, venue, and other important details. Their support showed the spirit of bayanihan and how much can be achieved when communities, government, and global partners work together to fight poverty and bring back dignity to people’s lives.

To know more about and support Gawad Kalinga Ateneo’s work please email gka@ateneo.edu.

Photos courtesy of GK-Ateneo