In celebration of Global Caring Month, over 20 kids from the Gawad Kalinga (GK) Sulangon Village in Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte became part of the Ford Motor Company Philippines’ annual observance of the Global Caring Day.
Held every September, the Global Caring Month is an annual social responsibility event that encourages Ford and its network of dealers worldwide to participate in community projects. Fun activities filled the day as every Ford employee engaged with kids to storytelling, drawing, and arts and crafts, in both virtual and in-person platforms. Other employees also visited the GK Enchanted Farm in Angat, Bulacan to plant trees, harvested and packed vegetables for distribution to families and communities. The activity touched over 350 families from various GK villages and communities in Bulacan.
Aside from volunteer activities, Ford Philippines also awarded mini-grants through the Ford Motor Company Fund to support activities by GK and Save the Children Philippines during the Global Caring Month. GK used the fund to install water systems in tribal communities in San Fernando, Bukidnon and Dona Remedios Trinidad, Bulacan. The Save the Children gratitude grant supported the improved delivery of health and nutrition services in the management of acute malnutrition (child wasting) in Villareal, Samar.
Ford is also partnered with Gawad Kalinga for its Kusina ng Kalinga (KnK) program, which is a strategic response to hunger and malnutrition among Filipino children, as well as in the healthcare capacity-building program wherein resident-volunteers in Capiz and Pampanga have recently joined the program.
On the other hand, the program in the virtual platform continues to be part of Ford Philippines. It has recently kicked off the 13th edition of the globally-recognized Driving Skills for Life (DSFL) program last September. In addition, Ford employees become virtual teachers and instructors in Gawad Kalinga’s (GK) Paraisong Pambata program.
“The spirit of volunteerism continues at Ford with our Global Caring Month, as we find ways to reach out to communities via online or on-site and initiate projects that truly make a difference. The commitment of each Ford employee to extend a helping hand has never wavered over the years and we are excited to bring our programs to more individuals, families, and beneficiaries in the years to come,” said Ford Philippines government and corporate affairs director Josephine Gonzalez.