An Interview With 2009 CNN Hero Nominee Efren Peńaflorida
Efren is leading the battle to change the face of Philippine education. At the young age of 28, he is currently a nominee to become CNN's Hero of the Year for 2009 (VOTE NOW!). In transforming the once hopeless children that he has helped by founding the Dynamic Teen Company, he has given them hope that they indeed have an opportunity for a brighter future. It is from these courageous and creative men and women like Efren that we will ultimately see our world changed for the better. Here's our interview with Efren who's pushing for positive change.
How does it feel that after starting out in the slums, YOU'RE now a CNN Hero?
We are really glad that things are happening to us. This is a blessing not just for me and DTC but for the Philippines. Almost everyone I meet addresses me as a hero but the true heroes here are the people I represent. They are the children who are now determined to learn, the volunteers who unwaveringly dedicate their services for free, the selfless Filipino educators who teaches beyond their call of duty, and every Filipino who makes a difference in their simplest ways, they are the heroes I proudly represent.
Where did YOU get the inspiration to start the Dynamic Teen Company?
I almost quit school and gave up everything just to get even to those who bullied me but God sent a person who became my mentor and made me realize that I do not have to destroy my future to escape problems. He helped me pick up the broken pieces and God used him to heal my broken spirit. He discouraged me from getting back to my bullies by doing something positive. Instead of joining another gang to make revenge, why not put up my own group and turn things around. He made sense so I was supported by my classmates and friends to form DTC in August 1997.
What was a key turning point in Dynamic Teen Company's history and how did you deal with it?
There are people around us who are skeptics with the things that we do, they would say that we can't do something better for the country because we are too young to do great things. Others would think that we are just no different with other gangs and would discourage us to stop our endeavors. We were ridiculed and laughed at whenever we push the carts on the street to bring education to children who are left out and deprived. But God through our mentor helped us see that these are but challenges that we need to overcome, hurdles that we need to endure. He believed in us and in what we can do to make things happen and encouraged us not to give up.
Were you ever scared?
“We must love and guide our children well!!! If we will have a better breed of the next generation, more decent leaders, lesser corrupt individuals and peace loving citizens, maybe then the world will be great again!” – a quote I value so much that I have learned from my mentor. We were scared but we kept this in our minds as a motivation to continue pushing for positive change.
How can we give hope to the country's poor?
There is always hope but there's a main problem that needs to be addressed, that is the loss of desire to learn and the intense desire to have money-that for me is so dangerous. How can one have material wealth without earning it using education as a strong base. Others like hunger, sickness, and illiteracy are far outweighed by the lack of right values. I sincerely believe that if you value what's right and do what's best then the rest will follow. Of course there's a huge need to address homelessness, hunger, illiteracy and sickness but one's soul has to be healthy and his values should be attuned to God. You'll never lose hope when your hope is in God.
How can we help YOU? As a Filipino student? As a Filipino teacher? As a Filipino citizen? As a Filipino businessman? And as a Filipino leader?
We want to share everything we know to help make positive change a reality in the near future. Our programs are copiable, duplicable and our pushcart is very replicable with no patent nor franchise. Just help us fulfill the dream of an equal chance for all children to experience learning the fun way. You can help us in a million ways, only your imagination can limit you. Help by adapting the system, tell our story, be inspired and inspire others too, put up your own cart of learning, send us stuff we can use, help us build our dream center, and many more ways. Remember that “you are the change that you dream and together, we are the change that this world needs to be.”
Have YOU heard of Brett and Alex Harris who started TheRebelution.com in the US? They started a movement that calls for the YOUTH to rebel against society's low expectations of teenagers, that in fact, many of those who changed the course of history like George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and others started out their public service careers as teenagers. How can we ignite that “rebelution” in the Philippines?
ONE IS NEVER TOO STRONG TO DO THINGS ON HIS OWN. No man is an island. We may be very good at something but for us to accomplish great things we need to help one another. For our efforts to fulfill our country's sought-after dream of change for years, we need the cooperation and collaboration of everyone who believe and understand what it means to build the country. It is a challenge for us to build one another up and not drag each other down.
If YOU were Secretary of Education, what would be YOUR top 3 priorities?
Students' nourishment in all aspects of life, Teachers' welfare and right values in life and an effective system of learning (that is) adaptable to a community's own culture which will ensure that the students' potential are not being compromised and will instill love for learning to each one. I discovered in the lives of many successful individuals that the doors of opportunities (were) opened when they embraced the love for learning. They used education to free them from poverty and slavery. I also discovered that the key to opening that door is the right attitude in life and faith in God. With that combination I know well that I will be able to help myself, my family and many others like me.
Who are YOUR personal heroes?
The true heroes here are the dedicated volunteers who tirelessly serve the impoverished children on the streets and in the slums. They give their time unselfishly and endure the struggles that we face. And of course our mentor, who believed on us when nobody else did at the beginning. He sees the potential in every person he crosses paths with and tries to bring the best out of us. For me, and my other co-mentees he's not only a hero but a maker of heroes as well.
What are YOU hungry for?
Hungry for learning. Never lose the desire to learn, study and enrich yourselves. Embrace learning and love it for it will embrace and love you back, and shall enable you to change your world!
Who else do YOU think should we honor as the country's little HEROES?
All selfless and hardworking Filipinos who rise as heroes because of the simple things that they do which contribute in building our nation and changing it one heart at a time...
About Efren Peńaflorida (from wikipilipinas.org)
Efren "Kuya Ef" Peñaflorida is a teacher and social worker in the Philippines. He has been recognized as one of the "2009 CNN Heroes" for his outstanding advocacy to educate Filipino out-of-school youth through "pushcart classes."
His growing concern for the unschooled children in his hometown led Peñaflorida to establish Dynamic Teen Company (DTC). At that time, he was only sixteen. He envisioned this organization as a tool to reach the underserved Filipino youth by providing free tutorials. He asked three fellow high school students to devote some of their time to teach children in the slum areas every Saturday. After ten years, DTC has gained around 10,000 memberships and conducted tutorials for approximately 1,500 children.
Today, DTC's "pushcart classroom" also teaches basic reading and writing to street children.
Efren on the move (a video):
YOU should VOTE for Efren NOW! Click here.
For the CNN Story on Efren, Click here.
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