Efren Peñaflorida Makes It to CNN Top 10 Heroes of 2009
A Filipino made it to CNN's list of Top 10 Heroes of 2009.
The Top 10 CNN Heroes of 2009 comprises of remarkable individuals nominated by viewers for their sacrifices and accomplishments. CNN's Anderson Cooper revealed one Top 10 CNN Hero every hour last Thursday on the global networks of CNN.
Our very own Efren Peñaflorida, one of this year's Top 10, was selected for his Dynamic Teen Company that offers Filipino youth an alternative to gangs through education.
"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 in 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.
Read the full story about Peñaflorida here.
Peñaflorida is running for CNN Hero of the Year. Let us show the world that blood of heroism is flowing in our veins. If we were able to make Nora Aunor's "Himala" as the CNN Best Movie of All Time in the Asia Pacific, we can help Efren Peñaflorinda be CNN's Hero of the Year.
Vote for Efren in CNN's Hero of the Year for 2009.
Here are the Top 10 CNN Heroes, in order of their announcement Thursday:
Jorge Munoz - School bus driver Jorge Munoz is helping hungry New Yorkers make it through tough times. Since 2004, he has handed out more than 70,000 meals from his mobile soup kitchen in Queens -- for free.
Jordan Thomas -Jordan Thomas, 20, of Chattanooga, Tennessee, lost both of his legs in a boating accident in 2005. Since then, his Jordan Thomas Foundation has raised more than $400,000 to provide prosthetics for children in need.
Budi Soehardi - Budi Soehardi founded a children's home in one of the poorest areas of Indonesia. Today, Roslin Orphanage in West Timor provides food, shelter and education to more than 45 children.
Betty Makoni - Zimbabwe native Betty Makoni founded the Girl Child Network to provide a haven for young victims of sexual abuse. The organization has rescued more than 35,000 girls since 2001.
Doc Hendley - Bartender Doc Hendley is providing clean water to communities worldwide. Through creative fundraising, his nonprofit Wine to Water has brought sustainable water systems to 25,000 people in five countries.
Efren Peñaflorida - Efren Peñaflorida gives Filipino youth an alternative to gang membership through education. His Dynamic Teen Company's 10,000 members have taught basic reading and writing to 1,500 kids living in the slums.
Derrick Tabb - Derrick Tabb started The Roots of Music to give young people an alternative to New Orleans' streets. His music education program provides free tutoring, instruments and music instruction to more than 100 students.
Roy Foster - Army veteran Roy Foster started Stand Down House to help veterans struggling with addiction and homelessness in Florida. Since 2000, his program has provided life-changing services to nearly 900 veterans.
Andrea Ivory - Breast cancer survivor Andrea Ivory is bringing early detection to the doorsteps of uninsured women. With mobile mammography vans, her group has provided more than 500 free screenings in Miami, Florida.
Brad Blauser - Brad Blauser is providing hope and mobility to disabled children and their families in Iraq. Since 2005, his Wheelchairs for Iraqi Kids program has distributed nearly 650 free pediatric wheelchairs to children in need.
Casted my vote for Efren Peñaflorinda. If we can set trending topics in twitter, I believe Pinoy can make him CNN's hero of the year.
ReplyDeleteI also believe in his cause! I hope to put up a foundation similar to what he is doing. I believe there is still hope for this country if educated people will unite to fight the problems in out society.