Now Rising: GK’s First PWD-Friendly Community

The challenge persons with disabilities (PWDs) go beyond their physical limitations. For many, finding dignified work and building a home for their families remains a pipe dream.

GK Munting Pamayanan in Escopa III, Quezon City has many residents with vision impairment. Despite their difficulties, the community’s vision of hope is astounding. Determined to live to the fullest of their abilities, residents are working to create the first PWD-friendly GK community in the Philippines. The build is a joint project of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Quezon City Govennment and GK Quezon City. Over 100 homes will soon rise in GK Munting Pamayanan.

The homes are a testament to the enduring spirit of the community. No job is too small or too odd for the residents of GK Munting Pamayanan. For example, Kuya Danny who has been blind since birth puts his angelic voice to work – he sings every night at a famous Italian restaurant in Cubao.

The Warehouse Team dedicated their time and energy to honor the residents of GK Munting Pamayanan last August 26 and September 2. Apart from build and repair works, they also bonded with community members.

For April Ritual, working at GK Pamayanan was ‘paying it forward’. “Hindi na bago yung pagsali ko sa build, pero iba pa rin yung pakiramdam na hindi lang ako ang natulungan ng GK. Ngayon, pati kami ay nakakatutulong na. Nag enjoy din ako kasama ng team ko [Joining GK builds is not new for me, but knowing that we’re not the only ones helped by GK still feels different. Now, even I can help others. I also enjoyed spending the day with my team,” she shared.

The Warehouse Team’s day to day activities can be exhausting. After all, keeping our products safe and our deliveries on time is no easy task. For a change, the team spent the day building and repairing homes.

Glo Traballo shared that helping build GK Pamayanan is a whole new experience. This is also Ate Glo’s first GK build since she joined Human Nature. “Kahit na naka experience na ako ng GK build dati, enjoy pa rin. Masarap sa pakiramdam yung alam mong nakatulong ka sa mga kasama nating may kapansanan. [Even though I’ve joined GK builds before, I still enjoyed it. It feels good to know that we are helping those who have disabilities],” she said.

Both teams enjoyed a delicious lunch, made even more special because it’s shared with friends.

Despite the heat and sweat, the Warehouse Team only emerged stronger with this build. Their teamwork built homes that will make everyone in the community feel welcome.