TEW successfully pulled off a dinner auction at the New Hong Kong Restaurant in the International District of Seattle last Saturday, May 14. The event was dubbed "Walang Iwanan - No Families Left Behind". More than 150 guests participated in an evening to bring about awareness of the plight of the poor and what the Gawad Kalinga movement is doing about it. Guest speakers included Alma Kern, President of the Filipino Community of Seattle who shared her experiences with a different GK Village; and Nathan Mari, former Gawad Kalinga USA Chief of Staff who shared more information about how GK manages to become successful in pursuing its mission. Former Seattle City Councilmembers Dolores Sibonga and David Della also graced the event to show support for the cause. The evening concluded with a dessert dash and guests gave heartily towards TEW's cause. TEW hopes to raise enough funds to build a village and provide a community for more than 20 families to begin with. They are poised to start building a village in Baranggay Canlubang in Calamba, Laguna.
Members of TEW hope that more people would get involved in bringing hope to those who are stuck in the shackles of inescapable poverty. Through events like last Saturday, they hope that they can continue to spread the word about what all of us can do in our own little way to help bring dignity to all human beings. Every little bit helps.