Kesz, the teener nominated for the Int’l Children’s Peace Prize

 

We are republishing a profile story of Kesz, who just won the International Children’s Peace Prize. This story first appeared on Rappler on September 2.

MANILA, Philippines – At the age of 8, Kesz was a boy who already built a foundation.

Now 13 years old, this young man from Cavite City may just be the nation’s next source of pride. From being a street child, Kesz is now one of the last 3 nominees for the prestigious International Children’s Peace Prize. The award is given by the Dutch organization Kids Rights that gives recognition to young advocates of children’s welfare.

On September 19, Nobel Peace Prize winner Desmond Tutu will present the award to the top choice for the International Children’s Peace Prize in The Hague, the Netherlands.

A fortuitous turn of events

One would never have expected Kesz to do anything noteworthy in his life. He was originally a boy who dug through dumpsites for junk to sell and was punished by his parents when he was unable to do so.

At night, Kesz would go to the marketplace to beg for a few coins; it was also where he would often spend the night. However, Kesz’s life changed after a horrible accident.

“Nung isang gabi po, naghihintay po ako ng trak. Tapos nung nandiyan na po yung trak, nag-uunahan po kami; natulak po ako sa nasusunog na gulong, ” he said. (One night, I was waiting for the garbage truck. When the truck arrived, we street kids raced to it; I was pushed and fell on a burning tire.) The burn scars are still visible on his arm today.

It was the NGO Club 8586 that helped Kesz pay his hospital bills. When Kesz’s mother pronounced him as a source of bad luck and wanted to leave him, Harnin “Kuya Bonn” Manalaysay, founder of Club 8586, took it upon himself to have the organization adopt the child.

Club 8586 is also a partner of the Dynamic Teen Company (DTC), CNN Hero Efren Peñaflorida’s organization, that helps bring education to street children through their “Kariton Klasrum.”

It was through the good influence of these people that Kesz sought a new kind of life. He began his volunteer work by helping out with Kariton Klasrum. On his 7^th birthday, he received his own birth certificate. Overwhelmed by his first-ever birthday party, Kesz made a wish.

“Sabi ko, ‘Gusto ko rin po magkaroon din po [ang ibang bata] ng kung anong tinatanggap ko ngayong araw na ito sa kaarawan ko,’” Kesz said. “Naisip po namin, yung pinaka-birthday celebration ko po ay magbigay ng mga tsinelas. Kaya yung first project po namin, ang tawag po namin TLC: Tsinelas, Laruan, at Candy.”

(I said, “I also want other kids to receive the same things I am receiving today on my birthday.” We thought that my birthday celebration should involve donating slippers. That’s why our first project was called TLC: Slippers, Toys, and Candy.”)

Today Kesz has helped around 10,000 children through his work at Championing Community Children (C3), originally named Caring Children. The members of C3 are fellow kids like him, most of whom are his classmates in the organization’s open high school.

“Kung hindi po ako nasunog, siguro po ganoon pa rin yung sitwasyon ko,” Kesz said. “Siguro mas malala po. Kasi dati po, tine-train po kami ng ibang tao na magnakaw po. Kaya nagpapasalamat po ako sa Lord, ginamit niya po si KB [Kuya Bonn], si Mr. Harnin, para maging instrumento para mabago po yung buhay ng mga bata.”

(If I wasn’t burned, maybe I’ll still be in the same situation. Maybe even worse. Before, other people were already training us to steal. That’s why I thank God for using Kuya Bonn, Mr. Harnin, as an instrument to change the lives of children.)

Kesz’s weekdays are spent studying in the organization, which is also where he lives. By Friday, C3 brainstorms for the week’s outreach, which happens on a Saturday afternoon. There, they teach children about nutrition, gardening, hygiene, and their rights.

Catching the world’s attention

So how exactly did the International Children’s Peace Prize committee get wind of Kesz and C3?

“Nagulat kami biglang may International Children’s Peace Prize. May nanalo na kasing bata dati – hindi nanalo. Pilipino, pero naging nominee rin, taga-Quezon City. Umabot [siya sa Top 3], naka-second nga siya,” Manalaysay said.

(We were surprised when the International Children’s Peace Prize contacted us. Maybe it’s because a Filipino was nominated before, too, from Quezon City. The child reached the Top 3, and went on to win second place.)

But this year, Kesz and his foundation are praying for a win. The cash prize will go to the projects of the winner’s foundation and the winner will also receive a scholarship for his or her education.

When asked about his advantage over the other two nominees, Kesz said that, that’s not the point.

“Hindi ko rin po iniisip na sumikat po. Hindi ko naman po iniisip yung sarili ko po. Ginagawa po namin ito para sa mga bata.” (I don’t think about being famous. I don’t think about myself only. We are only doing this for the children.)

His source of strength

It’s uncommon for children to start contemplating building foundations at such a young age. Kesz said that he got his inspiration from seeing how the DTC did it. He challenged himself that if his Kuya Efren could do it, why couldn’t he?

And he chose to focus on children because aside from being able to start molding the future leaders of the country while they are young, street children have always been close to his heart.

“Tuwing may makikita po akong mga batang nasa kalye po, palaboy-laboy po, nakikita ko rin po yung sarili ko sa kanila. Para sa akin, malungkot po ako kasi marami pa rin pong mga batang nakatira sa kalye, namamalimos po, nagtatrabaho po.” 

(Whenever I see children on the street, I see myself in them. For me, I feel sad because so many children still live on the street, begging, working.)

Balancing studies and a foundation is quite a feat for a young kid. However, like a true leader, Kesz said that draws inspiration from his co-workers at C3.

“Willing po talaga sila magbigay ng time para sumama po sa grupo namin, para tumulong po sa nangangailangan,” he said. “Tsaka doon pa sa mga advisers; sila po yung tumutulong para patakbuhin itong group, sila po yung nago-oversee sa amin po.”

(They’re really willing to give their time to join the group and to help those in need. The advisers also inspire me; they help us run the group, and they oversee us.)

And Kesz is no complacent founder. C3’s adviser and overseer, Clarence Baptista, is a witness to Kesz’s leadership abilities.

“Kesz is organized as a leader because he effectively leads his team. I saw how they progressed; he brought his group to a progressive stage,” he said in Filipino.

Although the kids do not usually outright thank him for his work, Kesz said that to see them happily learning is enough of an achievement.

Future and dreams

Ten years from now, Kesz sees himself studying in college.

“Pangarap ko pong maging doktor po,” Kesz said. “Gusto ko po madagdagan yung kaalaman ko sa panggagamot ng sugat po.” (My dream is to become a doctor. I want to increase my knowledge about healing wounds.)

During outreach activities, C3 sets up a mini-clinic for any child with untended injuries. But with his work, it’s more than the physical wounds that Kesz heals.

“Pangarap ko po sa mga bata na umasenso po sila sa paraang hindi na po nila kailangang gumawa ng masama. Naniniwala rin po ako hindi po hadlang ang edad, hindi po hadlang ang kahirapan para po may maiambag sa lipunan.”

(My dream for the children is for them to advance in life without having to do wrong. I believe that age is not a hindrance and that poverty is not a hindrance to contribute something to society.) – Rappler.com