Sets of Building Hands

Thirteen MBA and MDM students participated in the very first AIM-GK Build Day. It was hosted by Philanthropic Activities Society of AIM (PACTS) as part of our ongoing partnership with Gawad Kalinga (GK). I facilitated the promotion and organizing of the event for my HBO Walkabout.

The primary purpose is to get involved with the GK cause in all three areas of their ground efforts - Values, Build, and Entrepreneurship. There are opportunities to apply our AIM learnings, but it's mostly to foster community leadership and provide GK with human capital at the community-building level, where they really need it most.

The Build took place at the International School of Manila (ISM) Village, in Taguig City - just 15 minutes from campus. On our jeepney ride there, it was striking for us all to see the shift in living conditions from Makati to the Fort area and finally to these villages in Taguig where much of the trash of the surrounding metropolitan area is gathered and sorted. It is also next to open canals, so your senses are immediately accosted when you arrive.

We received the warmest welcome and guidance from the members of the ISM Village, who gave us direction in the building tasks. The gratitude they showed was immense. While we saw the tangible impact of our manual contributions, working side-by-side with the village members is a visible boost to their spirits - and this is what is most rewarding. GK seeks to restore the dignity and humanity of our most impoverished communities, and we make tremendous strides in this effort by engaging in opportunities for sharing and interaction. As a group we represented China, India, the United States, and the Philippines. Such dynamism, which we already take for granted at AIM, is a huge delight to them.

We later received a text from AIM's GK coordinator, Rommel Turingan:

Tell the team that because of them poor families in that village will be able to
dream again. Because of you guys the poor in that village will have dignity
again. You are all heroes willing to do things for others. Thank you.

We really hope that students, faculty, and staff will all be encouraged to participate in our upcoming GK events, so be on the lookout for communication from us! We consider AIM a committed part of the GK family now and intend to do our part.

This is only the beginning.

-Laurice Alaan, MBA 2009 (Chohort 3)