Kapintig Network

IPDI together with DKA partners ( Partners in Healthcare-AKKMA, Christian for Social Reforms, Asian Social Institute, Salvatorian Pastoral Care for Children, Diocese of Boac, Kilos Unlad ng Mamamayan sa Real -KUMARE) and (Lubos Alyansa ng mga katutubong Ayta ng SAmbales- LAKAS) gathered last March 17-18 to reflect on the relevance and significance of Kapintig in their respective organization.

KAPINTIG is an annual intercultural learning tour of young Austrians in the Philippines towards building global solidarity. Throughout the years, the program continues to evolve and highlights the instrumental role of DKA partners and Austrian delegates in the whole process of intercultural learning.

The meeting and consultation became the venue for collaborative efforts that crafted the proposed program ( flow & content) for Kapintig Intercultural Learning tour for July 2011; guided by its three focus – Urban Poverty and Urbanization, Church of the Poor and Communtiy Building; and Indigenous Culture & Struggle for Identity. The consultation also signifies local partners’ commitment as a network for solidarity within and beyond funding partnership to achieve global solidarity.

Clara Handler, desk officer for the Philippines of DKA Austria also graced the event by sharing her own experiences and learning as former Kapintig. Clara brought IPDI partners back in her journey towards reminiscing her own experiences as a Kapintig in her stories. She shared one instance with her host mother, she was complaining how irritated she was with the mosquitoes and keeps on putting the insect repellant which never works, but what strikes the most is what her host mother said, “it’s a sign of life, Clara” as she suddenly touches Clara’s skin. Up to present time, Clara still remembers the simplest but meaningful learning from her experience. She also expounded on the value of inter-cultural learning for Austrians and Europeans in general, as an integral part of their development as a person. She said; “We are full of concepts and theories that we learn from our universities, and the Kapintig experience becomes more significant as we directly immerse ourselves in the issues and the real people we meet. It creates more impact in ourselves from the whole experiential learning of the Kapintig."