North Shore start to new Philippine homes

By Bill Harrison

A house-building fundraiser aiming to 'fast forward' the Philippines, looks to have started in reverse.

Roger and Pam Beran formerly of Northcote were main leaders of a dance/social yielding $48OO on behalf of NZ's 1O,OOO-approximate Filipinos. Yet it was the Berans who first took the idea to the ongoing project's national team, ANCOP Charitable Trust. Usually it is ANCOP entreating local people to action.

"We just wanted to see our homeland advance in any small way, having come from such poor families ourselves," confirmed Pam. Similarly in early December, the Berans and their five children were mere days from permanent NZ departure. With Pam a night nurse and Roger a structural engineer, their new lives are in Queensland, Australia.

Their energy, linked with eight other North Shore committee couples, found about 200 friends reveling at the ASB BANK Netball Complex. Entertainment was from discounted live bands and performing national artists.

Worldwide, the housing project is spearheaded by Couples for Christ (CFC) volunteers. It is called 'Gawad Kalinga (GK)' meaning to give care, and was started in the mid-1990s by Tony Meloto, a businessman who wanted to action his prayers.

The overall aim is 'GK777', meaning the building of 7OO,OOO homes in 7OOO poor communities within seven years. The $48OO raised will build three houses. All GK homes are built by voluntary labour, neighbour helping neighbour. They are always as village settlements aimed long-term at clearing city slums.

Nelson Deles of Glenfield is a trustee with ANCOP, which supported the Berans' initiative. "The response was so overwhelming we are now planning a bigger event later this year," said Nelson, now a New Zealand customs officer. He and his wife Carol settled here in 1998.

By July 2006 global sales were well underway of CFC's CD, 'Return to Sender'. With all proceeds GK-dedicated, the disc features volunteers' own songs written and performed.

Nelson continued: "The generosity includes both corporate and individual contributors, some of whose donations are staggered. This is a movement catching-fire worldwide.."