History and Beyond

The beginning: 2007, a generous donation of over 3 hectares of land was made by brothers ICD Life Fellow Felipe Gonzales and MasterLife Fellow and Councilor Primo Gonzales.  It took several years of hard work, determination and negotiations with the local government of Bagac, Bataan, which paid off and led to the building of access roads and bridges to reach and develop the site.

2015, ICD Section IX built the first 5 homes which were turned over to 5 homeless families. This was celebrated by a huge gathering of ICD Fellows who painted the homes, a dental mission, tree planting activity, free haircuts and a fiesta of food shared with the community members.  This was the year when the ICD GK Village was officially launched.

2020, The COVID-19 pandemic affected majority of the centennial projects, however with the donations of the ICD Section IX Fellows together with the fund-raising projects organized by the fellows made sure that the ICD GK project continued.  The lockdowns and uncertainties of the pandemic has tested the world and everyones perseverance.  But as character is built in times of hardship, the ICD, GK and the families of the community banded together and forgot no one.  Quick Action projects that sustained and combat the spread of the disease was instituted by the leaders of ICD and GK with the community.  Among them where the ICD GK Pantawid Covid and GK Walang Iwanan, Walang Hawaan projects.

With the continued support of Section IX Officers and Fellows together with their families and donors, the groundbreaking of 5 new homes was carried out by the end of the year. A testament of everyones resolve for the ICD GK project.

2021 - 2022, The pandemic presented a number of challenges, but through the perseverance of everyone a 200 square meter ICD GK Multipurpose Hall with a library and office was built and officially opened to hold all events, activities and projects of the community members.  This has also served as a study hall and a place for the children of the community to enjoy reading and to play board games.  Throughout the pandemic, the ICD GK Village project completed 20 additional homes.  This included an ICD Centennial Home, built to commemorate the 100th year of ICD.  It was launched by the end of 2022 with 3 more additional homes that was undergoing construction.

The last tribute to the milestone celebration of  ICD is the ICD Centennial Sports Court - a full standard, open basketball court that can be used for volleyball, badminton and other court games.  This was ICD Section IX way of promoting fitness though sports and an active healthier lifestyle.  It envisions the holistic wellness of both body and mind of the children, teens, and adults of the community.  It likewise serves as a venue where leadership and teamwork skills can be enhanced.

2023, As part of the continued commitment to holistic community development, 14 additional houses was built.  This together with the 23 houses already built puts the total houses of the ICD-GK village  to 37.  This initiative has not only provided shelter byt also contributed to community empowerment.

To the future, The ICD Section IX Fellows is privileged to continue its pledge to be an instrument in providing homes for the homeless and underserved.  As we look into the future of a sustainable healthy community plans to support the environment with preservation projects that add to their livelihood are being undertaken.  

As we have been inspired, it has also been our aim to inspire them to find purpose and live better lives so they can also serve others.

Philippines ICD Gawad Kalinga: Transforming Lives Towards a Sustainable Community

By Fellow Maria Victoria S. Pangilinan

     ICD Section IX Past President

     ICD Gawad Kalinga Chairperson

The significance of a tree planting program goes far beyond the actual act of planting. Every seedling planted has a story to tell and a lesson to learn.

The ICD-Gawad Kalinga Community is not just all about building homes for the underprivileged. It has been the commitment of the ICD Philippines Section IX, to bring shelter to the homeless, to improve their living conditions and to add value to their lives.

Last August 25,2019, ICD officers traveled to Bagac, Bataan to bring bags of food, toiletries, kitchen items and wall clocks to 20 families in the community.  Apart from the donation of these supplies and the food we shared for brunch, we all participated in a tree planting activity at the backyard of their homes. Fruit bearing seedlings were planted, such as calamansi, guyabano, sampalok and cacao.

Seedlings all come from a tree nursery where they develop to be a little plant, strong enough to be transplanted to another area for its full growth potential. 

In their new home, these seedlings are nurtured, protected and patiently cared for till they grow in size, gain strength, develop resiliency to changes in weather conditions and blossom to maturity. Then they bear fruit that benefits not only the caregiver but the community as well.

ICD-GK community members were all lifted out of poverty to be sheltered in homes. It is here where  they are nurtured, taught livelihood projects and value formation. This is where they develop strength during crisis and natural disasters and where they learn to improve and restore their living conditions after. It is also here where they discover their potential to create and be the better version of their former selves.  

    

ICD Philippines Section continuously supports  the ICD GK Community Development Program. This gives us an opportunity to cause change and transformation, not just for the seedling that develops to become a fruit bearing tree, but for the members to move forward to become individuals that  can contribute significantly to the society.

Just like a tree, the fruit they bear will come from the endless source of knowledge they develop through time. And when that time comes, they are ready to face a bigger world and have a better future.

ICD Section IX Philippine Islands Gawad Kalinga Community Projects and Activities

Gawad Kalinga Dental Home

In a pioneering effort, ICD Section IX established the ICD-GK dental home.  The dental home initiative extends accessible dental care to the residents of the ICD-GK Village and neighboring communities.  ICD Section IX Fellows work in tandem, offering comprehensive dental services and education to improve oral health and hygiene in the community.  Currently, we have one chair unit with a compressor and sterile water system along with essential dental instruments and supplies.

ICD GK Village 2023 projects

ICD section IX Fellows came back from the pandemic with a renewed energy, we have started with the construction of 14 additional home to the village, improvements to the village has also been undertaken particularly to the ICD library and sports court.  

As we have turned over new homes to new families we continue to support everyone in the community from donations coming from the clothes and shoes drive to projects that promote livelihood and a sense of well-being.

ICD-Gawad Kalinga Library

The establishment of a dedicated library for the children of ICD-GK village embodies Section IX’s dedication to education and holistic community development.  This project aims to enhance literacy and knowledge among the youth, fostering a culture of learning and intellectual growth.  The library serves as a hub for reading, learning and interactive activities encouraging children to expand their horizons and  develop essential skills.