CNN Heroes is an annual event that has been running since 2007 which honours and recognises extraordinary individuals who make amazing contributions to help other people. For 2009, from an amazing list of ten nominees from around the world and more than 2.75 million votes casted. It was won by Efren Peñaflorida from Cavite City, Philippines who is making a difference with the Dynamic Teen Company which he founded. The 12,000 members of DTC have taught basic reading and writing to 1,700 children that live in the slums. 

The Dynamic Teen Company addresses “the proliferation of juvenile delinquency cases which also includes moral issues on youth and the values education of today’s youth.”* Efren Peñaflorida contributes most of his time to improving the situation that the today’s youth has with crime, whether it is them as victims or much worse, as the criminals themselves.

Gang membership for teenagers in the Philippines is rife, with children and teenagers who choose to turn to the life of being a gang member instead of wanting to be educated. Peñaflorida was also a victim of gangs as he was bullied in high school by them. ‘“Gang members are groomed in the slums as early as 9 years old,” says Peñaflorida. “They are all victims of poverty.”

For the past 12 years, Peñaflorida and his team of teen volunteers have taught basic reading and writing to children living on the streets. The main tool: A pushcart classroom. Stocked with books, pens, tables and chairs, his Dynamic Teen Company recreates a school setting in unconventional locations such as the cemetery and municipal trash dump.

Peñaflorida knows firsthand the adversity faced by these children. Born into a poor family, he lived in a shanty near the city dump site. But he says he refused to allow his circumstances to define his future. “Instead of being discouraged, I promised myself that I would pursue education,” he recalls. “I will strive hard; I will do my best.”’*

He has created prevention programmes to help the Filipino youth and because of this, in return he has received recognition and awards for his outstanding contribution. These include:

• CNN Hero Nominee & Winner 2009
  Turner Broadcasting, New York City
• National Winner, Outstanding Volunteer Awards
  PNVSCA & UN Volunteers Program 2008, Manila Hotel
• Regional Winner, Volunteer Awards
  NEDA – 2008, Calamba, Laguna
• Outstanding Caviteño in Republic Service
  2008, Independence Day Celebration, Cavite
• Finalist for Global Youth Awards
  2008, Southhampton, UK
• Maliksing Caviteño Awardee
  2007,Provincial Government, Provincial Capitol, Cavite
• PGMA Presidential Leadership Awardee
  2006, Cavite State University, Cavite City
• Nominee for Right Livelihood Award Foundation
  2005, Stockholm, Sweden
• Gawad Geny Lopez Jr. Bayaning Pilipino Awardee
  2004, ABS-CBN Studio 1, Quezon City
• Golden Anahaw Awardee as Outstanding Community Servant
  2004, CAVITE STATE UNIVERSITY, CvSU, Cavite
• Role Model Awardee
  2004, City Gov’t Award for CAVITE CITY WEEK, City Hall, Cavite City
• Excellent Member Awardee
  1997, Club 8586, Inc., Caridad, Cavite City

In his acceptance speech to an audience of 3,000 guests at the Kodak Theatre he said “Our planet is filled with heroes, young and old, rich and poor, man, woman of different colours, shapes and sizes. We are one great tapestry… Each person has a hidden hero within, you just have to look inside you and search it in your heart, and be the hero to the next one in need… So to each and every person inside in this theatre and for those who are watching at home, the hero in you is waiting to be unleashed. Serve, serve well, serve others above yourself and be happy to serve. As I always tell to my co-volunteers … you are the change that you dream as I am the change that I dream and collectively we are the change that this world needs to be.”

With the $100,000 given by CNN as the top prize, Efren Peñaflorida would pledge it to the children that the Dynamic Teen Company are helping.

On his return back home to the Philippines, Efren Peñaflorida was awarded the Order of Lakandula by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. It is one of the highest honors to be awarded and only given to those who dedicate themselves to helping the Philippines’ society.

Congratulations to Efren, you’re an outstanding inspiration and role model to us all. We wish you more success with the Dynamic Teen Company and future projects.

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Links:
Dynamic Teen Company: http://dynamicteencompany.org/founder/
CNN Heroes: http://edition.cnn.com/SPECIALS/cnn.heroes/

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*http://edition.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/wayoflife/03/05/heroes.efren.penaflorida/index.html

Posted on 12 December 2009 by Lani in Awards, Charity, Current Affairs, Featured, Voluntary

Tagged cnn, dtc, dynamic teen company, efren penaflorida