Efren “Kuya Ef!” Penaflorida Jr.,  who is living near the city dump site and one of the Dynamic Teen Company’s founder, began to reach out to slum kids. He aim to educate the youth to keep them from being gang members. But, instead of a classroom, this Filipino hero used a pushcart, an instant classroom, complete with a blackboard, books and other teaching materials, where he traveled to the slums of Manila. This marked the emergence of the “Kalingain Batang Mahirap” (Care of Impoverished Children), DTC’s feeding project for children who scavenge for left-overs and spoiled food from the dump site. The group had a hard time involving older people to the cause and so they trained themselves to be self-sufficient enough to teach the young kids themselves. The group was able to support itself and its projects by showcasing their talents in staged concerts and performances; and by selling old newspapers, bottles, and recycled products. This enabled DTC to train more potential youth leaders and eventually led to a purchase of a pedicab for its literacy and feeding projects.

The fruits of their labor are slowly being reaped as former drug users and petty thieves who were reformed through their projects are now also serving as volunteers. Former scavengers are now in school and are helping to raise funds. Some of the children who remain unschooled are now able to read and write. DTC was able to reach thousands of children through their Mind Your Rights (MY RIGHTS) campaign and through their health-literacy work.

Source: dynamicteencompany.org