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Aklan is internationally noted for its pristine beaches in Boracay Island and its colorful centuries-old Ati-atihan Festival every January. Within Aklan is Brgy. Fatima in the town of New Washington, which is considered one of the poorest barangays in the province despite an income-producing seaport. In 2009, the family of Ines B. Consemino donated 2.617 hectares of land to Gawad Kalinga. Through a tripartite agreement among the landowner, the local government and GK, the first GK site in the province of Aklan, Consemino GK Village, emerged. 30 houses have been built since then through the hard work of the partners, volunteers and beneficiaries.
Other partners also involved themselves with helping this community. Aklan Electric Cooperative, Inc. (AKELCO) provided electrification services, while the students of Aklan State University continuously volunteer in the village. Aside from that, the Kiwanis Club of Kalibo provided the village marker, conducted dental and medical missions as well as feeding programs.
This community is one of the sites for the reconstruction program for the survivors of Typhoon Yolanda. One partner who has already committed to build some of the houses in the site is Monsanto. But more work needs to be done in order to provide the beneficiaries with a caring community and help them regain some sense of normalcy in their lives.
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