THE MESSAGE. BRINGING INTO FOCUS FILIPINO PRESENCE IN AUSTRALIA
www.kalatas.com.au | Volume 6 Number 10 | JULY 2016
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FEATURE: Kapit-bahayan
Coop –
an organisation to be proud of
THE UN International Day of
Cooperatives is observed on
the first Saturday of July each
year. The Day aims to increase
awareness on cooperatives,
as well as strengthen and
extend partnerships between
the international cooperative
movement and other supporting
organisations including
governments. The FilipinoAustralian community can be
proud of one cooperative that
has responded to the needs of the
community including renting out
coop houses to low- and middleincome families.
The Kapit-bahayan Cooperative
Limited owes its success on having
leaders who are capable and committed to
serve with integrity and members who are
vigilant and actively participate according
to the directions of the organisation.
Among the KCL projects and activities
that greatly contribute to the multicultural
community are:
1. KCL coop houses are rented out to
low and medium-income families at very
affordable socialised rates in Auburn,
Berala, Wentworthville, Merrylands and
Canley Vale.
2. It caters to various nationalities
because the need for stable, affordable and
comfortable accommodation is a universal
need.
3. The tenant- members are
encouraged and supported to participate in
community building activities of APCO
Inc where KCL is a founding member and
multicultural ASCON Inc led by KCL
members. Among APCO-organised
activities are the massive emergency relief
operations to assist victims and survivors
of Super typhoon Haiyan. ASCON is an
aggrupation of several small and emerging
non-funded ethnic groups based or
operating in the AUBURN LGA.
4. The common area and facilities in
the various housing clusters are used for
free by community groups. Many other
facilities are being proposed for funding
and construction to assist non-funded
groups in their various community and
social development activities.
The key elements to