Ateneo’s Part En Route to Alleviating Poverty
The Ateneo de Manila University continuously strives for excellence, not only in terms of education, but also in helping those in need. This is exhibited in the university's ongoing partnership with Gawad Kalinga (GK) since 2003. GK is and organization centered on the mission of "building a nation empowered by people with faith and patriotism; a nation made up of caring and sharing communities, dedicated to eradicate poverty and restore human dignity". The organization reaches out to the underprivileged communities around the Philippines and aim to have a positive impact on families in these areas by providing assistance with the help of GK's partners and volunteers.
Father Ben Nebres, SJ., former president of the Ateneo, specifically partnered with Gawad Kalinga's Community Development Foundation Incorporated to be able to build communities, capacities, and programs as well as achieve program replication through the years. All of which are in line with the Ateneo's objective of building and promoting working models for poverty eradication through strategic partnerships.
In 2019, the Ateneo and GK managed to establish the German Village GK Bayanihan in Dasmariñas, Cavite. Its beneficiaries are families who live in danger zones beside the river banks, abandoned bus stations or parking lots and in cemeteries. This was done with the help of GK e.V (Gawad Kalinga, Germany) led by Dr. Peter Scheid. The Ateneo managed to play a significant role in the project as the university exerted all efforts in raising funds for the 67 families in need of affordable housing. Additionally, the university supervised the construction of houses and community organizing and development to ensure that the residents would be able to live in a safe and sound environment despite being faced with the reality of living in a hazardous area. The initiative would also be able to contribute to reducing the adverse effects of natural disasters and the environmental impact of cities on families residing in these areas, in line with the dream that every Filipino would be able to live in a safe and sound community.