Gawad Kalinga is Beyond Self-Fulfillment

People join the Gawad Kalinga movement for various reasons but the most prevalent one is that of the search of self-fulfillment. There is greater joy in giving and serving others rather than being consumed of the desire to accumulate for oneself. This has been the experience of many professionals who were once fully preoccupied in furthering career. The same goes to many who live the life of party and celebration. Now, all has come together to serve and pursue the goal of nation building. Many have seen the greater purpose of taking part in Gawad Kalinga to help our poor brothers and sisters.

But there is a greater calling that we all have to see beyond self-fulfillment.

While it is amazing to have found an inner satisfaction and purpose in serving others, it must not be the sole driving force of all our efforts. Gawad Kalinga reminds us that our focus is not on ourselves, but on others. And to search for mere self-fulfillment makes it all a bit superficial. Gawad Kalinga is offered to everyone who wants to take the first call of all human beings – that is to obey God… to obey Him, and to love our neighbor.

Gawad Kalinga shoots two birds in one stone. It is life giving to both the volunteer and the beneficiary. But more than anything else, it provides us an opportunity to go not just after self-fulfillment, but to please and obey our God. And that brings the highest level of satisfaction and inner peace.