Children build housing units

SAN ISIDRO, Nueva Ecija – If you happen to pass by the "Gawad Kalinga" village in this town and see the multi-colored houses along the road, take a look again. These duplex-type housing units are no ordinary houses. They were the products of the blood, sweat and tears of children.

Called the "GK Batang Bayani Village," the housing complex at a one-hectare land in Governor Joson Road, barangay Tabon here is the first classic example of the true "bayanihan" (community) spirit. But it is not the bayanihan that you know.

It is the "bayanihan" of children between four to 12 years old who toiled for eight long months to build the houses, armed with shovels, hammers and crude equipment normally used by carpenters and skilled workers.

All it took to build the dream village was the toil of 45 kids, innocent and frail-looking, who showed to their elders what bayanihan could really do even if those involved were young people.

Half of the village site was donated by lawyer Jose Nagayo, a retired schoolteacher while the other half was purchased by fourth district Rep. Rodolfo Antonino.

With the kids engaging in back-breaking labor fit only for the elderlies, the complex now houses 12 housing units, each costing P50,000. Each house, measuring 34 square meters, feature a sala, a dining area and a toilet. A washing area is located just outside the house.

What used to be a "Mission Impossible" started in April when the ground-breaking was held for the housing complex.

Gary Reyes, GK-BB chairman, told The STAR that during the ground-breaking rites, they never thought that the children would set out to build the houses themselves. In fact, he recalled telling the kids to just play around while he and the other elders were building the foundations for each house.

He said that when they started digging, the kids stopped playing and said they would want to build the houses themselves. "In the beginning, we never thought the children could do it. We were surprised when they started using the tools. We underestimated their capabilities," he said.

The kids also put on the finishing touches in the houses by painting their walls and roofs with multiple colors.

Miko Lorenzo, son of GK volunteer Jess Lorenzo and a grandson of Mayor Sonia Lorenzo said he likes painting houses because it’s fun and it helps people."

"Maybe it became easier for them because it’s more of a game for them while for us, it’s work," Reyes said.

The houses were formally turned over here by the GK-BB, the Ronald McDonald House of Charities (RMHC) to the beneficiaries.

Among those who graced the turn-over rites were Mayor Lorenzo, Vice Mayor Dong Lopez, RMHC representative Kelvin Villafuerte, Couples for Christ Council International’s Latchie Agana and the congressman’s daughter Crisel.

It turned out that from the planning stage to the launching and to the eventual completion of the houses, the kids showed the way to their elders, with plenty to spare.

The funds for each house were sourced from solicitations which the children undertook themselves by distributing tin cans. They also saved on their allowances.

Reyes said these acts of sacrifices made by the children typified the GK-BB’s philosophy of heroism, in this case child heroism which is why the project itself was named "Batang Bayani (child heroes)."