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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