GK Youth

GK Youth is a program of Gawad Kalinga that promotes volunteerism among

college students, in partnership with educational institutions. It aims to influence
and inspire young people ages 16 to 25 years old.

Its vision is anchored on GK’s vision:

“Gawad Kalinga is building a nation empowered by faith and patriotism, a

nation made up of caring and sharing communities, dedicated to
eradicate poverty and restore human dignity”

And our mission,

Ending poverty for 5 million poor families by 2024.

Our Goals:

Build a culture of caring and sharing through GK camps & forums that will
drive personal transformation and strengthen the value of family.

Create a network of relationships that can generate resources to impact on

poverty.

Build core groups that will sustain the relationship between the institution and
the communities.

Our Engagement with Universities and Colleges:

1. Institutional Engagement

GK Youth partners with universities through Research to address social issues

interlocking poverty, with special focus on youth and hunger mitigation.

2. National Training Service Program (NSTP)

Through the NSTP and a corresponding value-based grading system,
community engagements/immersions are results-oriented.
Students will be asked to come up with social innovation projects that will
help reduce problems in the community.
 3. Campus Organization

As an organization, GK Youth can help organize outreach activities and

community immersions/service days for other campus organizations

GK Child & Youth Development nurtures and develops the young through an age-specific,
values-based program that helps them reach their fullest potential. Many poor children are unable
to attend school and enjoy studying because they have to scavenge for food or work very early in
life to help their families. Education should be available to all, and we envision all the children
and youth in our GK communities to live with dignity and be empowered to become heroes for
God and country. This is done through three sub-programs:
GK SIBOL (sibol meaning “to grow”) serves children ages 3 to 6 years old. It is a community-
based pre-school program that envisions each child to be imbued with positive Filipino values
and to be academically prepared for formal schooling.

GK SAGIP (sagip meaning “to save”) is an acronym for Sagipin Ang Galing Isip at Pangarap ng
mga Kabataan (save the talents, minds & dreams of the youth). It seeks to nurture the newfound
hope of GK youth aged 7 to 13 through weekly values formation activities that promote love for
God, country, family & fellowmen.

GK SIGA (siga meaning “to give light”) seeks to empower the youth in GK communities aged
14 to 21 years old. Through weekly barkadahan (group of friends) sessions, the youth are
provided with opportunities to hone their skills and talents that will make them patriotic and
productive citizens of society.

The GK Child & Youth Development (CYD) program also helps the youth by various values
formation activities, technical & academic skills trainings, arts & crafts, and sports. GK SipaG
(sipag meaning “diligence”) is a special project under GK CYD that seeks to develop
underprivileged children through football/soccer.