KidsRights Int’l Peace Prize winner inspires MOA shoppers

MANILA, Philippines - “No one is too young to care, too poor to give, or too ordinary to make a difference.” With those words, KidsRights marketing manager Patrick Krens described Kesz’s amazing journey from an abused child to becoming the winner for this year’s KidsRights International Children’s Peace Prize, a Nobel Peace Prize for Children during a special program to welcome the young hero home at the SM Mall of Asia.

Kesz received the International Children’s Peace Prize 2012 from Nobel Prize winner Desmond Tutu last Sept. 19, 2012 at The Hague. According to Tutu, Kesz is a deserving and inspiring example of “a new voice for the voiceless.” Kesz was presented with the Nkosi, a unique sculpture that shows how a child can change to world.

The winners of the International Children’s Peace Prize are children who perform extraordinary actions to improve the status of children’s rights. Receiving the prize is not only a sign of recognition for what they have achieved. It also gives them the opportunity to present their message to more people in the world and to help more children in the process.

There to welcome Kesz were members of the Boy Scout of the Philippines Pasay City chapter, school children from nearby Pasay schools, and SM mallgoers, who were much inspired by his story.

The event was also graced by 2009 CNN Hero Efren  Penaflorida; Club 8586 mentor Bonn Manalaysay; TV journalist TJ Manotoc; R&B artist Quest; and members of Championing Community Children (C3) and Dynamic Teen Company (DTC).  SM officials led by SM vice president for Marketing Millie Dizon welcomed them.       

The program started with an opening prayer headed by Zenki of the Championing Children Community. The audience was given brief background and information about the Peace Prize by Krens, followed by an audio-video presentation of the actual Peace Prize awarding ceremony that happened in The Hague, Netherlands.

Kesz received the prestigious prize because of his efforts to improve the rights of street children in the Philippines, where more than 264,000 street children are subjected to abuse, violence and child labor. Many of them also struggle to cope with major health issues.

Kesz, 13, was in the same situation. He was severely abused and forced to scavenge at the dumpsite at the age of two. Three years later, he sustained burns on his arms and back, forcing him to run away and look for help. It was at this point that he met people who would transform his life — 2009 CNN Hero Efren Penaflorida and mentor Bonn Manalaysay.  Kesz was inspired and trained by KuyaEfren and Kuya Bonn to make a difference in changing the social challenges of their community. He transformed his own experiences into a drive to help other street children and inspire them to change their own lives.

On his seventh birthday, Kesz decided he wanted to give gifts of hope to other street children. That year, Kesz started his own organization, Championing Community Children, aimed at giving street children hope and showing them that they can take their future in their own hands.

Every week, he and his friends go to underprivileged communities to teach children about hygiene, food, and children’s rights. He even takes things a step further by teaching children how to teach each other. He has so far helped 10,000 children in his local area.

Kesz brought his message of hope to selected SM malls in celebration of Children’s Month last October.