Working with the poor

I refer to the To Whom It May Concern notice (September 10) on page 35 regarding a disclaimer of the Filipino-Maltese Foundation Cultural Night on September 19. One asks: Who are the "We"? Why were the names of "we, the concerned" not published?

I take the opportunity to tell the "we, the concerned", who are not more than a couple of persons, that they should think twice before trying to ruin such an activity which is being held in aid of their own people in the Philippines.

I also wish to inform readers that the beneficiaries of this event are going to be the Gawad Kalinga (sharing and caring) which has evolved into not just a work with the poor operation but also a work of nation building, from a purely Couples for Christ (CFC) initiative into a multi-level partnership with various sectors in society moved by the same social conscience. It is a total and holistic community development effort to attack poverty not by addressing the basic physical needs of the poor, such as shelter, education, health and livelihood, but by, in doing so, employing three major elements:

One, Gawad Kalinga restores the dignity and self-worth of the poor, revitalises their capacity to hope and to dream and makes them believe once more in a future that is bright and decent for themselves, their community and their country.

Two, Gawad Kalinga is a revolution of love. This means unlimited, unconditional, self-giving love. CFC leaders and members began by bleeding for the cause - which institutionalises the giving of their own money and resources and the establishment of personal relationships with the poor. Before CFC asked others to love, they have first loved and experienced the joy of it. When CFC asks others to give, they do so not as beggars but as participants in the joy that comes from giving.

Three, Gawad Kalinga thrives on the culture of sharing. CFC believes that nobody is too poor that he cannot share, nobody is too rich that he cannot care. The work is not about money but building relationships and bridging gaps between peoples.

No more slums. This is the battle cry of Gawad Kalinga. Slums breed hopelessness and despair and perpetuate the mindset of helplessness and impotence. Gawad Kalinga sees a future where there are, literally, no more slums, no more hunger, no more crime, no more terrorism.