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Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Hero

Editorial

AMID a daily dose of crime and corruption churned out by both print and broadcast media, it is inspiring to learn that a 13-year-old boy from Cavite City has been given recognition by an international organization for his exemplary work in advancing children’s rights.

The homegrown hero is Cris “Kesz” Valdez. He was awarded the International Children’s Peace Prize 2012 in fitting ceremonies at The Hague last month, with Nobel Peace Prize winner Desmond Tutu in attendance.

The award, an initiative of the Dutch foundation KidsRights, recognized Kesz or his efforts to improve the situation of street children in the Philippines.

According to Tutu, Kesz is a deserving and inspiring example of “a new voice for the voiceless.” Kesz was presented with the Nkosi, a unique sculpture that shows how a child can move the world.

There are over 246,000 street children in the country who suffer various forms of abuse and are forced by circumstances to earn a living when they should be in school. Many of them also have to cope with frail health because of poverty.

Kesz himself was severely abused and forced to scavenge at the dump at the age of two. Because of the beatings he endured from his father and brother—he sustained burns on his arm and back—he ran away and slept on the pavement rather than go home.  Later, he turned to begging in the streets to survive. But rather than sink into despair or turn to crime, he chose to help other street children and inspire them to change their own lives.

In his acceptance remarks, Kesz said: “My message to all children around the globe is, our health is our wealth! Being healthy will enable you to play, to think clearly, to get up and go to school, and love the people around you in so many ways. To everyone in the world, please remember that every day, 6,000 children die from diseases associated with poor sanitation, poor hygiene, and we can do something about it! Please join me in helping street children achieve better health and better lives.”

When Kesz was seven, he set up an organization, Championing Community Children, aimed at giving street children hope and showing them that they can take their future into their own hands. Every week he and his friends go to marginalized communities to teach children about hygiene, food and children’s rights. He even taught children how to teach each other. He has so far helped more than 10,000 children in his area.

Kesz is a protégé of Dynamic Teen Co., founded by CNN Hero Efren Peñaflorida, who himself made his mark helping street children get a start on life through education. Kesz wants to finish high school and later enroll in medical school, but he still wants to help out-of-school kids and promote literacy among street children.

Kesz’s achievement is exceptional as he bested nominees from 40 other countries for the top honor. But more than this, his resolve to help other street children should serve to inspire others to make a difference in the lives of the poor and the needy. Kesz is a certified hero whose life experience and determination to improve the lives of others makes him stand out among today’s youth—and gives us ample hope that the nation can prevail over deprivation and despair.

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