Running to change lives, give hope, & bring an end to poverty!
Former slums transform into a safe & thriving community. (picture of a GK village) - www.gawadkalinga.org
Welcome! Thank you for visiting my page =)
This November 23rd I will be running in my first race ever-- The GK Heroes Run through the Philadelphia Marathon! Though it's been awhile (and I admit I'm a little out of shape, so I'm only running the Rothman 8K-- a short but fast-paced 5-mile race :), I've decided to run because for the first time in my life, I've seen first hand a tangible solution to the problem of poverty not only in the Philippines, but for the rest of the world.
NOTE: Donation form is at the bottom of the page. Please give generously, and remember that your donation is tax deductible!
Why am I running?
Last March, I volunteered to help build homes in the GK-Tawi Tawi village in Cainta, Philippines. There, I was able to see a former slum community transform into a safe, self-sustaining, and close-knit community. The kind people of the nearby GK-Selecta village embraced us and welcomed us into their homes. They not only gave us food & shelter, but shared stories of how they overcame hardship & hopelessness through Gawad Kalinga and how the organization has forever changed their lives. Little do they know, the time I spent living with them has changed my life as well.
Pictures from my GK trip - March 2008
I'm running because I believe each person is entitled to a decent home to shelter their families, because each child has the right to an education, because each person deserves hope and a chance at livelihood, because each of us was born with equal dignity, and it is our God-given right to protect it.
I'm running because I believe in GK, and I believe in these people.
All contributions will go towards the completion of the GK Saguday Philadelphia Marathon Village in the Quirino province of the Philippines--a town that was decimated by a deadly typhoon in 2005, leaving thousands dead and survivors landless..
What is Gawad Kalinga?
Gawad Kalinga (GK) translated in English means to “to give care”, and it is an alternative solution to the blatant problem of poverty not just in the Philippines but in the world. GK’s vision for the Philippines is a slum-free, squatter-free nation through a simple strategy of providing land for the landless, homes for the homeless, food for the hungry and as a result providing dignity and peace for every Filipino, and ultimately, the rest of the world.
"The Poverty Situation in the Philippines" - Video
GK Heroes Run is a yearly event in which runners raise awareness and raise funds for Gawad Kalinga (GK), an organization that gives care to countries in need such as the Philippines, Cambodia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and South Africa (more countries coming soon!). By getting more and more people involved, we can truly help the poor in these countries as GK strives to build communities, give them opportunities for livelihood, as well as education, and values formation for their families. GK is not just about building communities, it's about changing lives, giving hope, and bringing an end to poverty!
THANK YOU in advance for your contribution. I am training hard and have committed myself to preparing for this race. I will keep you updated on my progress :)
From the bottom of my heart, THANKS again for your support!
Melissa Sucaldito
Less for Self, More for Others, Enough for All
. : : Make a Contribution : : .
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Fundraising has ended.
Total Donations: $945.00 Goal: $800
$0
118%
$800 Goal
Contributor
Amount
Comment
John Yang
$50.00
"Melissa,
I admire your integrity to help others. Good Luck in the Marathon!"
Edgar Benjamin Cabrera
Hidden
"Good luck! Happy to see you so excited to help the motherland. "
Qing Fan
Hidden
"Go Mel! You will do great!"
Andrea Clisura
$50.00
"Yay Running Mel!"
Katrina Harper
$10.00
"Melissa, I wish you well as you run the Philadelphia Marathon."
ANdy Cai
$50.00
"Remember Mel, this is only the warm up for next year's 13.1 miles!"
