Visiting Silver Heights

[Date Created: October 2, 2013]

by Shizuka Tamayama

Last September 3 and 4, I went to the Silver Heights Village, one of the Gawad Kalinga communities. Actually, 12 Japanese volunteers also went to Silver Heights Village, and I accompanied them. As soon as I visited the site, I had lunch that the GK Mabuhay ladies cooked for us. I loved the food. The other Japanese members also said the same thing, it might be that Philippine home-cooked meals are popular for Japanese people. After lunch, we started the construction work, and I was in charge of digging a hole for 2 hours and I also joined a bucket relay for 2 hours. Due to all of this work, I had a lot of muscular pain after.

Building houses with the Japanese volunteers and residents of the community

On the 2nd day, we had an opportunity to interview some residents of the community. The most surprising thing for me is that the Mabuhay ladies and the people who help build GK houses don’t receive salary. This is just an aside; a few days after, I found out that there are a lot of people who work in GK without salary even if they work 5 days a week. It is totally different with Japan. Usually in Japan, people don’t work without salary.

>> Read more in "What Does It Take To Be A Mabuhay Lady?"

At the interview, one Japanese member asked “What is the biggest change after GK arrived in your community?” Then one of the residents answered it, and this is what I’ll never forget. “Of course, we can get new houses. But the most important thing is internal changes. Before GK came, we don’t know so much about each other in the community. But now we know each other, help each other, we are one neighborhood, and we are like a family. GK also taught us how to speak in front of visitors. Now we know how to talk with rich people. We act on our own initiative and we don't just wait for help from someone.”

The children joined us in our farewell party

Finally, we had a farewell party. We danced and sang together. At that time, over 40 people participated in the event.

Though this experience, I think about 2 things. First, it is about the connection between neighborhoods. In Japan, it is not usual that a lot of children and adults play together in the road, especially in the urban area. Residents here in the Philippines always say “We are family.” When we danced with the residents at the farewell party, one of them said “It's fun, isn’t it? We are happy, are you happy?” However it is totally opposite in Japan. Recently it become an object of public concern called ”MUEN society.” It means a society in which individuals are isolated and have weak personal links between each other. It is gradually increasing the number of old people dying a solitary death. But I didn’t care about this problem, because when I was born, it already started so I thought the situation was usual. But here in the Philippines, I noticed ”MUEN society” is not usual, especially when I saw people in community playing together. The GK residents are very proud of their strong connection. I think Japanese people would learn a lot about the relationship of the community.

The GK residents are very proud of their strong connection and relationships

Real Empowerment

Second, I was very surprised and interested in the way GK did community development. I major in Community Development for 4 years and also joined a student NGO that supports Thailand for 3 years. I was taught that it is very important to have a “participatory approach to development” and “empowerment.” Of course I know it is important, but I haven’t known how to do it for long time. Because it is difficult to do community development while preventing the dependence of residents. I always thought that if I had money, it will be very easy to give something. But even if I had money, it is very difficult to change the internal things of a person. In the community, residents say ”We changed. We can speak in front of visitors. We learned how to talk with rich people. Now we are not only a neighborhood but also a family, but before it is different.”

Community development the GK way means real empowerment

I find that this is real “empowerment”. So now I really want to know how to do it. Why GK can do it and we cannot? I deeply regret that GK is not so famous in Japan. I think GK should be more famous in Japan, because there are also a lot of NGOs in Japan. In addition to NGOs, Social Entrepreneurship has also come to attract a lot of attention in Japan. Many Japanese people want to contribute to those who are less fortunate and search for a more meaningful life. I’m sure GK can give more inspiration and hints to people in Japan about what real empowerment is and how to do it.

We can learn a thing or two from this GK Village

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Gawad Kalinga is not a charity, rather, it’s an organization that aims to end poverty by building sustainable communities. The work of Gawad Kalinga is partly fueled by the heroism and energy of volunteers from all over the world who refuse to accept poverty as part of the fate of the Philippines. Like Shizuka, you too can be part of our global army of volunteers and nation-builders! Check HERE. 

For groups, GK Mabuhay is a program that allows international volunteers to embark on a journey of caring and sharing in the Philippines. They get to experience the best of Filipino culture and hospitality by immersing in a GK community, and make memories that will last a lifetime as they volunteer for various GK programs and activities.