THE HEROES ARE HERE

Jun 14th, 2009 | 54

The heroes are here
By Liz Abernethy Updated June 14, 2009 12:00 AM STARWEEK MAGAZINE

MANILA, Philippines – In the early morning of a stunningly bright April day, my sister, Catherine Jones, asked if I’d like to drive to a school in Cavite with her in order to deliver five boxes of children’s books from her personal library, a collection she amassed for her two children over the past twelve years.

Naturally, I agreed to the short journey. I was entirely unprepared for what I would discover a mere hour outside of Manila, and the effect the afternoon would have on my view of education.

We broke out of the bumper-to-bumper traffic on Aguinaldo Highway on the edge of Cavite City, and after a few twists, turns, and stops for directions, we found ourselves in an unexpected oasis of learning. It was a thriving outpost of education dedicated to young, disadvantaged children and teens who, in spite of dire circumstances, possess an unquenchable thirst for reading and learning. This is the unassuming headquarters of the Dynamic Teen Company, or DTC, where the motto ‘We Are The Change’ is more than just a platitude or slogan.

One of the DTC stalwarts, appropriately attired in a Superman t-shirt flanked by three energetic young boys from the DTC, greeted us warmly when we got out of the car. They escorted us down a narrow alley leading to a welcoming nook. We shook hands with the small crowd of teachers, volunteers, and children, all of whom were beaming contagious smiles. My focus was drawn to the unusual classrooms: three large A-frame blackboards each solidly attached to a flatbed cart parked in a covered area. The side shelves of these roving pushcarts, dubbed “The K4” (Kariton, Klasrum, Klinik & Kantin), were equipped with notebooks, textbooks, writing instruments, food, basic medical supplies, and a flagpole flying the national colors. The only difference between these K4 mobile classrooms and the ones in schools was the lack of four solid walls.

In 1997, one visionary young man, Efren Peñaflorida, came up with an answer to the problem of educating underprivileged children. He was only 16 years old when inspiration struck. Having lived in a garbage dump in his early days, earning money for his parents selling corn on the street, Efren himself was the product of agonizing, soul-searing poverty. He knew too well the painful trials, fears, and perils of destitution. Together with the help of some local friends, he formed the DTC to improve the lives and minds of the neediest children.

They started as just a group of acquaintances, hanging out together away from the streets and the gangs and the glue huffing. Over time, they began teaching the younger children who sought their company. Today, the organization is a full-fledged success, and growing fast, utilizing the Internet to reach out to new volunteers and new supporters. They even have a Facebook group, boasting over 2,000 members.

Every Saturday, a legion of volunteers push the K4s out into the streets, taking their moving classrooms to four locations in Cavite City over the course of a day: the market, the cemetery, the dump, and a stilted, impoverished shantytown. At each venue, children gather for an hour-and-a-half lesson. They have their regular students (whose progress is monitored with loving care), as well as a collection of parents and other adult spectators who stop by to glean a bit of knowledge, as well as a free meal.

After our arrival, DTC volunteers unloaded the boxes from our car and placed them on a table in a shaded area. Catherine opened the boxes she had meticulously organized by reading level and started pulling out the books.

“Reading is so important,” she told the eager children that began to gather around us. “Here’s Curious George, he’s one of my favorite little monkeys…And look here, it’s Arthur! You’re going to love reading about Arthur. Oh, look! Pooh, Madeline, Miffy, Waldo! These were all my kids’ favorites.”

Catherine gave her twelve-year-old daughter, Allie, who had come with us, a few books to read aloud. She found a spot to read by the K4s, and slowly but surely a gaggle of children gathered to listen to the storytelling. By the time the three of us had read through five books, about 20 children sat around, enjoying the impromptu story time.

As we dug through the stacks of books, Kuya Bonn, a.k.a the man in the Superman shirt, conveyed the success stories of some of the students he has taught over the years.

“We see a lot of kids go from banana and corn vendors with no slippers, barefooted, to somebody who is educated…Actually Efren is a product of that…Efren was a corn vendor, now he…wants to study law in the future. We feed the kids…they can take a bath here, we even cut their hair.”

One young boy ran up and spontaneously hugged him. He then told us the boy’s story: his father forced him to beg at the side of the road at the age of three. He was beaten when he returned home with no earnings, and often passed his nights sleeping in a tomb in the cemetery to avoid his father’s violent rage.

While scavenging atop a trash heap, he burned his arm on a tire that spontaneously burst into flame. Now, at six, he thrives under the DTC volunteers’ care and tutelage. Over the course of the last three years, he has blossomed into a swift, intelligent student who can hopefully look forward to a brighter future.

“These kids are the real heroes,” Kuya Bonn tells us proudly. “They went out of the rut they were in.”

Efren explained how the DTC works tirelessly to educate parents and students alike about the rights of children, and to make sure that undocumented kids – that is to say those without birth certificates – are not neglected or ignored by public institutions and schools.

But, despite the growth and expansion of the DTC over the years, their mission has remained unchanged: to instill a lifelong love of learning in their children, so that if they ever do get the opportunity to attend a formal school, they will hunger for knowledge.

If children want to learn badly enough, the vicious cycle of cutting class, gambling, begging, stealing, is less likely to lure them away. For those who never get any formal education other than the K4, they have at least learned to read, write, and do basic math.

Today, after twelve years of service, the accolades are pouring in. Efren and his organization were recently nominated for a CNN Heroes award, the first nomination for a group in the Philippines. Efren was interviewed by Larry King.

The sudden media attention the DTC garnered as a result of the nomination has completely altered local attitudes toward the group. In past years, the volunteers were mocked and derided for their efforts, pushing their carts with their heads bent low, enduring vicious cries of “Basurero!” and other taunts. Now, they are treated like heroes.

“People are… stopping and taking pictures with us. They wave hands and yell, ‘We saw you on TV!’ A woman in a jeepney gave us P1,000,” Efren explains.

“If there was one thing that you need the most, what would it be?” I asked them, contemplating their potential for future expansion.

“We need a bigger place, especially in Manila. We also need food. In Cavite it costs P8 to feed a child. We feed 400. Now with the media coverage 1,500 kids have enrolled. We also need school supplies,” Kuya Bonn replies.

The K4 classrooms are, in some ways, an ideal medium for the transfer of knowledge. After all, thousands of years ago, in ancient Greece where reason and logic were born, lessons were taught in the open air, using nature as a teaching tool. Students analyzed what they saw with their own eyes and used their creativity to figure out just what made the world tick. The Greeks knew that there is no greater teacher than personal observation.

Though the Cavite air might not be as fresh as Athens in the age of Demosthenes, the spirit remains the same. Learning is learning. It doesn’t take a fancy science lab or a classroom stocked with computers to cultivate a curious mind. Once the spirit is there – that fierce compulsion to understand the world we live in – every hour of every day becomes a potential lesson.

It is a fact that knowledge is a ‘movable feast’, applicable to every facet of life. Once the kids understand that it’s A-OK to love to read and be inquisitive, many doors are opened for them. Efren, Kuya Bonn, and the rest of the crew are giving the kids so much more than lessons and food; they’re giving them just what they need to work their way out of the bitter cycle of destitution. Knowledge is power, and nowhere is that epithet truer or more vital than in Cavite at this moment.

I can’t help but hope that these dedicated teachers and eager students have stumbled onto something very important. Their ‘small is beautiful’, holistic approach is visibly, palpably effective. Education isn’t like a pair of shoes: it can’t be mass-produced. The DTC crew look after everything: mind, body, and spirit.

At the end of the day, I’m convinced that this model, if replicated in other areas, has the potential to make a huge dent in the illiteracy rate of impoverished children. It is proof that it doesn’t take an institution to inspire a child, all it takes is a mentor who cares, a few books, and a way to access the students. If the students can’t get to the school, the school will come to the students, just like the mountain came to Mohammed centuries ago.

How You Can Help: Books, notebooks, and other supplies are needed, as well as financial aid to help purchase food, clothing, and hygienic supplies like toothbrushes and toothpaste. The DTC is looking to expand its efforts in Cubao and Manila, but such growth requires funds, space, and more volunteers. Contact Kuya Bonn at dtcooffice@dynamicteencompany.org; (46) 431-2412; 1177 Julian Felipe Blvd. Brgy 17 Caridad Cavite City, 4100.

The author is a freelance writer from New Hampshire, USA. This is her third extended sojourn in the Philippines. Special thanks to Catherine’s dentist, Dr. Lucila Bernardo, DMD, from Cavite City, for suggesting that she donate her children’s book collection to DTC.

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54 Comments on “THE HEROES ARE HERE”

On June 20th, 2009 at 10:16 AM
jade said:

ur doing an exemplary joB!!
On June 29th, 2009 at 2:54 PM
allan said:

.,the heroes are really here!!! May God bless you more…
On August 25th, 2009 at 2:04 PM
lawrence said:

and may God bless the Philippines more people like Penaflorida.
On October 2nd, 2009 at 11:26 AM
Robert said:

God bless you for all the good work ! I hope you win !
On October 3rd, 2009 at 10:45 AM
pam said:

may your tribe increase and your selfless work reach more. i just voted for you F at the cnn website. you are a hero indeed. God bless you and all the volunteers.
On October 4th, 2009 at 5:24 AM
Janet said:

You are one of a kind, keep on doing what you like to do which is helping less fortunate children and GOD will do the rest. I will be praying for you and your group. GOOD LUCK and MABUHAY KA KABABAYAN!
On October 4th, 2009 at 10:19 PM
Jermaine said:

I am proud of you. May you serve as an inspiration to other youth.
On October 6th, 2009 at 1:29 PM
F. M. Macaranas said:

Your exemplary service to the poor kids of Cavite should be emulated in all poor commuhnities around the world. I trust that kind hearted people , especially our overseas Filipinos who have improved their lives, will be able to support you financially and morally by sponsoring your projects and cheering you on. Mabuhay ang DTC!
On October 8th, 2009 at 11:43 PM
Liza said:

Keep up the good work! DTC will be an inspiration to our countrymen & the world. F I voted for you. May you continue to spread the love of our Lord & Savior Jesus Christ. I saw the testimony of Michael in 700Club Asia on how your group helped him improve his life. God bless your mission!
On October 10th, 2009 at 4:26 PM
Emma said:

I am so inspired with Efren’s story and I voted for Efren and emailing all my friends to vote for Efren and given them the link. I wish you all more success. Cheers to all the members of DTC and may God give all the strength you needed to overcome whatever obstcales appear on your way. God Bless DTC!!!
On October 17th, 2009 at 1:02 PM
Perry said:

Efren and DTC,

I just voted for you in CNN website and posted your story in our H.S. website. I will continue spreading your story and encourage others to vote for you. I had a feeling that you’re going to win. American love winners and success stories. Your story is the best. You’re spreading God teachings.
On October 19th, 2009 at 12:50 PM
Edna Loreno said:

Efren, i got some books here to be donated to your cause what address should i have to use inorder that these books can reach out those kids in need? i am a filipino working here in canada and i just
want to help your purpose to educate those children who are in poverty.
On October 27th, 2009 at 11:55 AM
Raul Maliksi said:

Efren and Dynamic Teen,

I just voted for you for CNN heroes. I wish you all the best and you really touched my heart while i’m reading all the articles about you and your group. What you did was really great, you’re a good child and you’re one of a kind. You’re one of our heroes. I’ve shared your articles to my friends and i’m still spreading the news here in San Diego, California and other parts of the United States. Wish you all the best and keep spreading the good works and our Heavenly Father is always there to help us. Thank you my kababayan.
On November 5th, 2009 at 1:33 AM
Rodney said:

Mabuhay Efren!!!! you are a true hero… Your work is at its highest call of duty … keep up the stellar job……
On November 7th, 2009 at 1:21 AM
Alain said:

I campaign for Efren.
May he wins.

Link:
http://alainsojourner.typepad.com/blog/2009/11/make-a-filipinocnn-hero-of-the-year.html
On November 10th, 2009 at 2:05 PM
windy said:

Efren,

Like you, I was a victim of extreme poverty, sent to school by a catholic priest. I personally know the impact of what you are doing. You are CHANGING the future of these children. Giving them a better chance. I have devoted 8 hours of non stop voting for you. This is the least I can do to support you. I will be contacting you soon, my hero.
On November 11th, 2009 at 10:15 PM
JAKE TAPING said:

EFREN&DTC.

I READ YOUR STORY.YOU ARE A REAL HERO.I VOTE YOU NOT TWISE MANY TIMES.I INCOURAGE MY CHILDREN & FRIENDS TO KNOW YOUR STORY…I’M YOUR KABAYAN HERE IN QATAR..

GOD BLESSED YOU…MABUHAY KA..
On November 12th, 2009 at 1:11 AM
ikeng said:

i just saw the commercial just now. i will vote for you efren!
On November 12th, 2009 at 1:14 AM
ikeng said:

i saw the commercial just now. i will vote for you efren!
On November 18th, 2009 at 11:46 AM
Marceliana M.Sanson said:

Congratulations!!! Keep up the good work. Me and my students are behind you. We are voting for you.
On November 18th, 2009 at 11:48 AM
Marceliana M.Sanson said:

You are an inspiration to my students. Mabuhay ka at ang iyong mga kasamahan.
On November 19th, 2009 at 5:38 PM
Jeper Parde said:

I pray that you win. your the real hero !!! God bless you and keep up the good work. may your good deed make more slum children happy and change their life!!!We need heroes like you!!MABUHAY KA EFREN!!!
On November 20th, 2009 at 2:13 PM
Peter Daniel B. Viana said:

hayz kanina pa aq paiokt ikot d2 di ko po mahanap ung vote ^_^

para makaboto na po me…hehehe hanggang kelan ba ang deadline for votings ? tanx ^_^
On November 20th, 2009 at 6:05 PM
jay said:

I proud you Efren, more power!……
On November 21st, 2009 at 9:55 AM
mia munoz said:

all my prayers are with u and your team…
On November 21st, 2009 at 4:09 PM
bLueShadOw said:

thanks for giving us the faith to be “PROUD AS A FILIPINO”.
and i hope that this would serve as a “WAKE UP CALL” for our government!
On November 22nd, 2009 at 4:27 AM
ED&HAYLEY RICCIARDI said:

MAY GOD BLESS YOU FOR YOUR WORK.HOPE TO VISIT YOUR WORK IN JAN 2010.WE HAVE HOME IN CAVITE.FROM SC USA
On November 22nd, 2009 at 6:09 PM
Stef Quiaoit said:

Congrats!!! You deserve it!!! Continue inspiring people all over the world!!!
On November 22nd, 2009 at 8:10 PM
Jocelyn Hild said:

Mabuhay ka Efren at ang mga kasama mo sa iyong Team!
On November 22nd, 2009 at 9:58 PM
GEORGE said:

CONGRATULATION TO THE NEW CNN HEROES!!! YOU AND YOUR GROUPS DESERVED THE AWARDS..

PLEASE KEEP IT UP AT MABUHAY ANG PINOY!!
On November 22nd, 2009 at 9:59 PM
GEORGE said:

CONGRATULATION TO THE NEW CNN HEROES!!! YOU AND YOUR GROUPS DESERVED THE AWARDS..

PLEASE KEEP IT UP AT MABUHAY ANG PINOY!!

http://edition.cnn.com/SPECIALS/cnn.heroes/
On November 22nd, 2009 at 10:17 PM
cjacobs said:

Efren,
CONGRATULATIONS! I am so proud that you got the CNN Hero Award. God knows you deserve that award for all the wonderful things you’ve done for those kids. God Bless you and all the volunteers helping you out.
On November 23rd, 2009 at 3:31 PM
kitchie said:

congratulations on the award! more importantly, congratulations on being a good role model for every filipino! mabuhay ka efren, sampu ng iyong mga kasama!
On November 23rd, 2009 at 3:55 PM
keicel Olanda said:

sana tito manalo ka, we are really inspired sa story mo..when I grow up sana makatulong din ako gaya mo..we will try to ask help para maipadala sa inyo…you really are…a great hero…wag ka sana magbabago…we will pray for you and may our God bless and guide you always….
On November 24th, 2009 at 12:14 AM
rolan espinosa said:

you and your group touches the hearts of millions by your deeds,ur inspiring young students especially the poor children but eager to learn.true heroism defies odds,time and events.GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR GROUP.in the eyes of the child your more than a HERO.
On November 24th, 2009 at 11:28 AM
NeilGMAc said:

kung ang maging Presidente kagay ni kuya EF,cguro lahat ng mahirap ay maka-kapag aral na,kse ang priority nya kabataan bago ang sarali.

Saludo ako syo Efren sana God give you more healthy life para marami ka pang matulungan!
On November 24th, 2009 at 11:29 AM
Neil said:

kung ang maging Presidente kagay ni kuya EF,

cguro lahat ng mahirap ay maka-kapag aral na,kse ang priority nya kabataan bago ang sarali.

Saludo ako syo Efren sana God give you more healthy life para marami ka pang matulungan!
On November 24th, 2009 at 11:37 AM
Raul Maliksi said:

Efren…My kababayan….CONGRATULATIONS! I’m really proud of you! I cried when CNN announces you as the CNN HERO OF THE YEAR. I was really touched and I can’t explain the feelings i felt while you’re doing your speech. MABUHAY ka kabayan ko! I’m looking forward to give my free dental services to your projects when I go home. Hope I can meet your DTC soon. Congratulations again.
On November 24th, 2009 at 4:19 PM
chilo nuyda said:

kuya efren. iam a college student in bicol and iam encouraged to be a volunteer. i also want to help those children who were not able to go to school because of financial problem but very eager to learn..there are some communities in our province that truly needs our help.
On November 26th, 2009 at 3:32 PM
yen said:

ay, grabe.. siya na ang “revolution” na kailangan ng pilipinas.. pero pano naman kasi magkakaroon ng chance maging president mga katulad niya e binubura naman ng mga makasariling tao sa mapa?
kuya ef, pprotektahan ka ng Panginoon against sa mga makasariling mga un. sana one day very soon maging presidente ng pilipinas ka o kahit sinong katulad mo. very selfless.
pano po ba mag-short term volunteer?
thanks po. God bless!
On November 26th, 2009 at 10:39 PM
Lovefc said:

To Efren and DTC volunteers, Congratulations! I’m also a teacher.. . You are an inspiration to all Filipinos…I posted the news and articles about you and your group on our school bulletin board …..Keep up the excellent work.. You are indeed a true hero…God Bless…
On November 28th, 2009 at 8:29 AM
Sharon Travis said:

Saw the story on the broadcast of CNN Heroes. You are one of my heroes now, and thank you for your inspirational words when accepting your reward…you are right…we all have a heroe living inside each of us…it only takes a light like yours to help ours decide to come out. God bless you, I will make a donation to come help your worthwhile work.
On November 29th, 2009 at 1:01 PM
Russhel Maquiñana said:

hi there DTC!
I’m so very touched and amazed of your unrelenting passion to help the less fortunate children. You’ve gone this far and you succeed. I know, that the team will grow even more bigger and will roam not just to some places in Cavite but round the country. I would really love to join you guys one of these days. Keep it up fellas, God bless and more power to ya’ll!
On November 30th, 2009 at 9:11 AM
victor ace said:

congratulations kuya ef!!!
may you continue touching the hearts of every heroes within us!
you and the dynamic teen company will always be included in our prayers!!!
god bless and good Luck to your endeavors!
On November 30th, 2009 at 8:05 PM
steph may said:

Kuya Ef, you in turn encourage a lot of people to change….
May you and DTC go a long way!
On November 30th, 2009 at 8:52 PM
Boni said:

As a new teacher, I was really inspired by what you, Kuya Ef has demonstrated. I really cried and was inspired by what you have done for the poor children of our country. I hope that by the time The Kariton goes here in our place (Davao City), surely me and my other fellow teachers will be more than willing to volunteer and teach children. You really made me very proud to be a Filipino and a teacher.
God bless you and your future endeavors!
On December 1st, 2009 at 7:23 PM
Lykes said:

I saw Efren in ASAP. Lea Salonga presented him on stage loud and proud on the middle of her song. This man really deserved the recognition being thrown for him. He is truly a God’s gift to the Filipino people. Stay Blessed Efren!
On December 2nd, 2009 at 6:30 PM
sam said:

Congrats!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I hope that everyone, would be like you!

just continue your good deeds…………

And GOD BLESS YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
On December 3rd, 2009 at 5:14 PM
Marlen said:

Dear Efren…You are such an inspiration to our IRM National YWAP – Youth With A Purpose Group when you visited us and shared your story on Nov. 30, 2009. Though you’ve gone a long way by being the 2009 CNN Hero….you are a true hero in your commitments even you are very busy nowadays…To you and to the DTC Group..may you be empowered each day by more riches of pure God’s blessings..Glory to God for your heroic deeds!!!!
On December 4th, 2009 at 10:16 PM
Gervie Macahia said:

Dear Kuya Efren,
Thanks for making it at our event yesterday. You are really an inspiration for all. I love your saying “unleash the hero in you”. BTW, can you still remember me at the Anak Batangueno Congress with Gov. Vilma Santos? Me and Mela are the hosts. ^^
On December 5th, 2009 at 4:07 PM
vret said:

kahanga-hanga ang iyong ginawa. God is giving you back all that you sacrificed. God is blessing you more of what you did. Nakaka-inspire talaga ang DTC. You are a true hero.
On December 7th, 2009 at 1:20 AM
norel said:

heard a lot about you and you are an inspiration to every one. i’d like to help and be a part….. please email me. GOD bless !!!!
On December 7th, 2009 at 3:52 AM
Gee said:

I voted for you Efren. Your selfless mind set will hopefully be the wake up call for all our kababayan. Giving service to others before self. God will bless you abundantly. Hope your visionary thinking and humble character will continue to live. Truly you are a hero. I hope you continue to bring inspiration and hope for the unfortunate, and bring change our country badly needed.
On December 28th, 2009 at 9:37 PM
Shai said:

I know this is very very late, but congratulations to you Mr. Efren! I was really really touched by your work, and very inspired by it! I hope that many Filipinos will find inside themselves what courage and hope and faith you had to make a change. More power, God bless you, and I believe this is just the start for you and DTC!

~ SJ

THE HEROES ARE HERE

54 Comments on “THE HEROES ARE HERE”

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