Efren Penaflorida, our very own “kariton Classroom” teacher has been named 2009 CNN Hero of the Year and will be receiving $100,000 to continue his work.

Upon accepting the honor, Efren cited "Our planet is filled with heroes, young and old, rich and poor, man, woman of different colors, 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 theater 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, in the Dynamic Teen Company and Club 8586, 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. Mabuhay!"

The event was attened by 3,000 people and was held in the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood last November 21, 2009.

HIS STORY

Efren was once a high school boy that is bullied by gang members, threatened his life and was in a point of quitting school to fight back to these gangsters... yes... he was one of those kids.

But it all changed when he chose to put his future in his hands and not let anybody else take control of it. It was in 1994 when he was introduced to the Club 8586 during one of their in-campus programs. From then on, Efren chose to make a difference. He then focused and devoted his time to be trained as a street educator. 

It was then in 1997 that Efren, now commonly known as Kuya Ef, together with his classmates, decided to put up their own team to focus on children and to be able to do something valuable and useful with their time, which is now called, the dynamic teen company.

From then on, the idea grew and big ideas have come to life. Their team started to place the school books and materials in plastic bags to carry around and teach the children. It then evolved to camping bags to “pedicabs” (bicycles with an attached steel body) with compartments. But as their services expand, so as the number of books and materials being used, too heavy for the pedicab that they always have to fix the tires and try everything to keep it from getting flat. Then in 2007, one idea from their volunteer who is a corn vendor suggested to use “kariton” instead. It’s proven to be sturdy and durable with heavy loads... and so is the birth of the “Kariton Classroom”

 “The ‘Kariton Classroom’ was made to return to the youth the “love for learning”... normally the children in the dumpsite look for garbage as a source of their income, they didn’t think that they needed to go to school once they started earning because they need it for their family. We want to return to the hearts of these children the importance of education because it will be the key for a better future”. Cited  Liezel Fajardo (co-founder of dynamicteen company)

With perseverance, patience, love and devotion, Kuya Ef is now reaping the fruits of his labour. Giving the youth an alternative and a choice, to choose education and prevent them from being gang members. “Most of the students that we have are unschooled or drop outs, but we have seen a big change in their lives. The children are now determined and are very willing to learn, most of them wanted to go back to school. “ said Efren.

There have been 10,000 volunteers and  1,700 children (students) to date; and some where even sent him to school until college.