If Efren Penaflorida was running for president now, he will get my vote. Even if he didn’t win the award, he would still get my vote.
Efren Penaflorida, CNN Hero of the Year 2009
But win it, he did! Read the CNN post here.
Congratulations to efren and his team and to the many kids whom he helped.
The mere fact that he tried to do something awesome makes him a champion and a true hero, in every sense of the word.
For me, a hero is someone who thinks of others beside himself and does something, or merely wishing or dreaming. Whether he succeeds in his endeavor or not, the mere attempt is very laudable.
What is more laudable is how he sees heroism.
Their program, K4 which stands for Kariton Klasrum, Klinik & Kantin (pushcart school, clinic and canteen), takes it where it would really be felt most: To where the kids are. Without fanfare, without the glitz, cameras and photo-ops we usually associate with one-time-then-forget-it missions. It’s plain old drive and compassion that propels each cart, each volunteer.
You are a hero, Efren. May more of us emulate your example.
A quote from the hero in their group’s website, Dynamic Teen Company:
“When people regard me as a hero, I always tell them that they should look inside them too because I believe that there’s a hero inside every one of us and all we have to is just to open our eyes wide and feel what’s going on, then let our hearts be willing to accommodate the needy, the desperate and the hopeless simply by extending our hand to them, and there you will unfold the hero that is in you.” - Efren G. Peñaflorida, Jr.
You make us proud Efren. Continue to push your carts and make the change. Thank you for being a hero and believing that there is one in each of us.
photo from CNN
