The Inception and Dream of SAN DIEGO de ALCALA RESTORATION VILLAGE

Coloong II, Valenzuela City District of Malolos, Bulacan

2007 Incep=on of Restora=on Village

It all started with a DREAM. In August 2006, more than 200 homeless CFC members met together and dreamed of acquiring land to build their ideal houses.

2007 CFC split

The CFC SPLIT almost shaPered their dream. Those who joined the community primarily for Gawad Kalinga houses leT the group and withdrew their contribu=ons but the faithful con=nued to trust the Lord and pursued their dream.

2008 OCT ACQUISITION OF LOT AT COLOONG 2, VALENZUELA CITY

The Lord blesses those who trust His Providence. In 2008, the group acquired a swamp lot at a frac=on of the price previously oered to them [P600/m2 vs P2,500/m2]. The lot was submerged breast deep, full of water lilies but an almost ideal site near the chapel, public school, health center and adjacent to the main road.

On this swamp of water lilies will rise our Restora=on Village.

2008 DECEMBER - START OF LAND DEVELOPMENT

The meager contribu=on leT aTer paying down payment was used to buy ller soil [panambak]. We can only aord the cheapest with big boulders of rocks so spreading was a big task. But no big task can deter faithful & determined CFC-FFL members. Gradually land replaces water lilies and swamp.

As land slowly eases out the water lilies, blue sky announces a brighter horizon ahead.

The boulders were sure heavy, but light to a determined community.

2010 AUGUST START OF CONSTRUCTION OF 1st HOUSE

The Lord never abandoned those who place their fate unto the Lord. The funding for the 1st house came courtesy of caring donors and CFC FFL Leaders. On the bright day of August 2010, we started the construc=on of our 1st house.

TEAMWORK DOES IT

Every Saturday and Sunday CFC-FFL volunteers ocked the site. Brothers, Sisters, SvFL, HFL, SFL, YFL, mason, carpenters, experts or otherwise helped one another, Those who can lay bricks and cut lumbers did their role. The non-skilled provided manual labor. Those who cant physically ,i.e. weak & old, provided refreshments. Those who really cant aord just came to give inspiring presence.

House one up, the second follows.

2010 NOVEMBER TURN OVER OF FIRST 2 HOUSES God is good. He helps those who trust the Lord and helped themselves. In November 2010 the 1st two houses were turned- over to deserving beneciaries. The event was a big merriment.

Our loving Parish Vicar-Fr. Vince Reyes blessed the houses.

Sis Nelia Reyes & Family

Bro Larry & Sis Mila Calucab and Family

Happy are the beneciaries, happier is Bro. Nonong Contreras (CFCFFL SocMin Head)

PB Ikar Enriquez of Pasolo, Valenzuela City graced the aair & of course our loving CFC-FFL elders honored the event. Bro. Nonong Contreras, Bro. Bonjie Bonjibud, Joe & Janet Mantequilla and eager members of the Cluster of Valenzuela & Obando joined the celebra=on. The grateful beneciaries thank the Lord and his workers and those who provided the entertainment .

PRESENTATION & BLESS THE FOOD NA

A day of celebra=on to show talents and gra=tude to God.

Obando Chapter Dance Troop entertains the crowd.

Giggling members pose for posterity.

ACCELERATED SITE DEVELOPMENT The Lord truly never abandoned His ock. As our meager funds dwindled, site development slowly ceased. But lo and behold, the kind Congressman Rex Gatchalian of Valenzuela City, who appreciated the mission of CFC-FFL for the residents of the town, came to our rescue.

He pledged 100 truck loads of land ll materials. The rst 45 trucks lled the swamp, the remaining trucks will soon arrive. The thoughpul Mayor Sherwin Gatchalian will not be outdone in benevolence. He provided the grader to level the site.

2011 February Construc=on of 3rd house

A liPle help here, another there, up go pails of concrete mix.

 Two up, another one rises

CONSTRUCTION OF 4TH HOUSE

The third house nears comple=on, the fourth one sprouts.

LAYING OF FOUNDATION OF 5TH HOUSE

Four were completed, a small beginning for a giant task ahead.

And God looks at his work and they are good and wonderful.

THE CHALLENGE AHEAD

Sixty- one [61] more row houses await construc=on in this

chosen lot of the Lord. We con=nue to trust Him and will forever be thankful to the benevolent donors He will give. It started with a dream and soon will be a reality. Thanks to you kind brothers and sisters.

This will be Gods giT to our community, a legacy to our children

San Diego De Alcala Restora=on Village a haven for Gods faithful servants, now a dream, becoming a

Help our brethren at Valenzuela fulll their dream of a CFC FFL Restora=on Village of their homeless members. For dona=ons, visit www.cfcwwp.org