ACTIVITIES

Gawad Kaginhawahan was officially launched in Canada as a CFC ministry under the Social Ministries on January 1, 2005. While CFC Canada is seeking to make arrangements for Mrs. Mercedes Arzu Wilson of the Family of the Americas Foundation to come to Canada to teach, train and certify GKag volunteers on the simplified Ovulation Method of Natural Family Planning; or for Canada's GKag coordinators to be trained and certified as trainors, CFC GKag has purchased training materials, videos and charting kits from FAF. GKag coordinators are studying and familiarizing themselves with the simplified method and are also sharing the materials and information with the CFC membership.

GKag is in the process of organizing the ministry in all CFC areas, at the same time calling on the direct involvement and participation of CFC leaders to invest people, time and other resources to establish, promote and sustain a Pro-Life culture in the community.

In the Eastern region, CFC leaders decided to integrate responsibilities for PFO, Flame and GKag into one service position and this direction is being pursued in all CFC chapters. On January 22, 2005, an orientation session was held for CFC, HOLD and SFC chapter heads and PFOs which made them familiar with the programs and workshops that GKag plans to undertake as follows:

      
  1. Pro-Life Workshop – a half-day session designed to develop or heighten awareness on the relevance and importance of the issue of Pro-Life among CFC leaders and members.

  2. Natural Family Planning using the materials and video of the Simplified Ovulation Method developed by Mrs. Mercedes Arzu Wilson, founder of the Family of the Americas Foundation (FAF). This is a half-day session to be given ideally right after the Pro-Life workshop.

  3. The Parenting Workshop – a whole day interactive program designed to provide insights into the understanding and development of effective parenting styles and techniques.

Similar sessions will continue to be held until all CFC areas have had the opportunity to get to know and avail of the programs available through GKag.