Formerly called ANCOP CAN Walk & GK Walk, the ANCOP Walk is an annual fundraising event that helps the poor in the Philippines and other third world countries by providing shelter, housing and child education programs for the poor living in slums and abject poverty.

The ANCOP approach is comprehensive, integrated and sustainable encompassing the many aspects that are essential to combat poverty. The ANCOP Walk is organized by ANCOP International (Canada) Inc. We are a Christian, registered non-profit charity, founded by the Couples for Christ. As an expression of our faith in God we work to help the poor. ANCOP programs are rooted in Christian values but without discrimination towards the race or religion of those in need. Since 2001 our shelter and child education programs have been helping the needy. More than two thousand homes have already been built which have brought shelter to many families, and we have also continue to provide quality education to more than a thousand children.

SHELTER & HOUSING          CHILD EDUCATION          VALUES FORMATION

COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT

Anyone can do great works of charity. The challenge is sustaining the work. We work with the help of anyone and everyone with big willing hearts. Our donors, partners, volunteers such as architects, engineers and carpenters, doctors, nurses, midwives, dentists, teachers, writers, people from all religious, social, and academic backgrounds, local government and the private sector --- come together with one purpose: Answer the Cry Of the Poor.

Together with our partners, we have been transforming many lives, and as of 2009 over 2,500 homes have been built and over 1,100 children have received education sponsorships fron Canadian donors.

Everyone deserves a decent life with dignity and hope. ANCOP Canada with it's partners and volunteers work hard to help the poor. ANCOP does this through:

Picture yourself living in shanties. Exposed to heat and cold all year long. Filth everywhere. Chaotic. Fights about anything taking place anytime. One unnecessary wrong after another. Everyday.

Our Shelter & Site Development Program is unique because poor beneficiaries themselves work to their homes. Neighbors in these slums who used to not care for each other, are now working side by side building their new homes together with their own hands. We call this "sweat equity" where a poor beneficiary puts in the effort, with the assistance of their neighbors, our partners and volunteers. When they have finished building their home it gives them great pride and a feeling of ownership. Having also received assistance from their own neighbors strengthens their community bonds. We build colorful, durable and secure homes for the poorest of the poor and transform entire communities together.

For the poor, the fruits of their labor give them great pride and joy because with their own hands they begin to regain their dignity, self esteem and self worth. After their homes are built, many beneficiaries continue to provide further sweat equity to other ANCOP villages, where they come to help the residents of that village and propagate the charity and love that was previously extended to them. The poor who once could not help themsleves now are helping others. This is how we sustain the momentum and drive of our shelter program.

The shelter program not only provides housing but also other physical structures such as pathwalks and drainage systems, water and toilet facilities, a school, a livelihood center, a multi-purpose hall and a clinic. In some areas, other structures such as basketball courts and libraries are also constructed once basic infrastructure needs are set up by the residents.

ANCOP is non denominational and does not discriminate. A number of Muslim and mixed Muslim and Christian villages have already been completed and are thriving in the Philippines and becoming beacons of peace.

Millions of third world children in primary ages would find joy in a used coloring book. Even public education which should be basically free is inaccessible to them.

We provide value based Education Program for pre-school children, aged 3 to 6 years old. We also provide support program for street children of elementary age, from 7 to 13 years old.

They are provided with academic tutorials, sports and creative workshops as well as a very solid values formation program. Scholarships are provided to those with the mental aptitude to pursue higher education.

There is also a strong youth rehabilitation program where juvenile delinquents are provided with a range of activities and counseling sessions to help them live productive lives without committing them to rehab institutions. They are then integrated into the social mainstream and are eventually gainfully employed.

Based on Christian values, the Values Formation program is an integral part of the transformation of slums into vibrant communities. The Values Formation program is a required seminar which helps prepare beneficiaries and their families by changing their attitudes and outlook in life. By learning to value and respect their family and community, the values formation program aims to change the old attitudes of slum dwellers and encourages them to reclaim their dignity and self-worth. Most beneficiaries often proceed to become active members of the Couples for Christ after the values formation program.

Slum surroundings breed slum attitudes. It is easy to change the physical surrounding immediately, but inner change and a new found respect and honor for oneself and community is the true essential in sustaining and further developing the community and its members.

Beneficiaries are not left alone soon after the homes have been built. The effectiveness of the Values Formation program is further enhanced by the constant encouragement and guidance of the CFC caretaker team, who oversee the village and the beneficiaries’ growth and development.

Our holistic model transforms the poor and their environment. After all, will a person change if the environment remains chaotic?

Our program organizes the community with a neighborhood association called the "Kapitbahayan", which is established to inculcate stewardship and ensure accountability, cooperation and unity. Guidelines for community living are decided upon by the member residents, and leaders who espouse the values of the association are elected among them.

Peace is achieved not by force, but by mutual adherence to an agreed set of values. This new culture and attitude is the key to the community’s sustainability, and sets the community on the road to self reliance.

The ANCOP approach is comprehensive, integrated and sustainable.

ANCOP International Canada is a registered Canadian non-profit charity that supports building ANCOP Homes and providing Child Educational Assistance. To learn more please visit our website at www.ancop.ca