‘Kariton’ revolution: Catalyzing volunteerism for education

MANILA, Philippines – More than three years since Filipino social worker and educator and Efren Penaflorida captured the world’s imagination with by winning CNN 2009 Hero of the Year, the “Kariton Klasrum” (pushcart classroom) program he co-founded with his mentor Bong Manalaysay in dreams of educating every Filipino child has found a home.
A kariton building, built on a small purchased lot in Cavite City using Penaflorida’s $125,000 grant from CNN, serves as a venue for educating 500 children and providing free tutorials and free dinner for 100 former street children now enrolled in formal mainstream education. The fund has also helped send some of the group’s volunteers to college.
“Our dream is to have our own place,” Penaflorida said on ANC’s “Headstart.”
Today, Penaflorida is trying to drum up funds for the learning center’s operational expenses estimated at P50,000 a month. He also pools resources from the honorarium he gets from his speaking engagements.
The Education Department recently teamed up with the Dynamic Teen Company, which Penaflorida co-founded with Manalaysay, and adopted the concept of ‘kariton klasrum’ as part of its alternative learning program. And on January 14, 2012, the DepEd launched K4, which stands for kariton (pushcart) As klasrum (classroom), klinik (clinic), and kantin (canteen), in a bid to reach out to 5 to 15 year old out-of-school youths and reintegrate them into the formal school system.
Penaflorida says the DepEd is replicating the program in the National Capital Region, in partnership with the local barangays.
Next month, the literacy advocacy will expand its reach to a slum area in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Growing up in Cavite City’s slums, Efren says discrimination made him fear school and want to join gangs for a sense of belongingness and vengeance. Instead, at 13 year of age, he met Bong Manalaysay, an educator who became his mentor and taught him to get back at society, not thru violence but by becoming his best self. Kuya Bong introduced him to the world of volunteer work, and exposed him to the fate that met juvenile delinquents in prison.
Three years since the CNN honors, Efren is single, turning 31 on March 5 and very busy with his advocacy. He lives as simply as he did at the start, his volunteer work is still free of charge, he resides in the kariton building, his mobility aided by his day job hosting a show in a TV station, and a donated silver Vios.
Years after rumors he was wooing Angel Locsin, he admits he is good friends with the actress who even donated blood to his ailing grandmother.
Inspired by his mentor’s passion and example, Efren says, he is now giving back to society and paying forward.
“Kung hindi tinuro sa akin ng aking mentor to love learning, hindi mababago yung mundo ko, same principle yung pinapasa ko sa mga bata.”
While he admitted, it will be harder to serve others when he is in politics, Penaflorida says, he would welcome the opportunity to serve as Education Secretary in the future.
He also dreams of having his own school for street children and believes in empowering educators and boosting their morale through better salaries.
Kariton revolution
Efren says attending the 10th anniversary of the EDSA Revolution also opened his mind to the human power to effect positive change.
“Iyong 10th year ng EDSA Revolution, dinala niya ako doon from the roof deck nakita ko people crying for change JC parang dun lalo nagfire up yung heart ko, mind ko, pwede gumawa ng pagbabago.”
That peaceful revolution in 1986 could very well have fuelled Penaflorida’s own. Next month, from March 1 to 5, their group will launch a new advocacy in Cavite is the seat of the Philippine revolution.
“Iyong spirit of volunteerism na-revolutionize namin sa Dynamic Teen Company which we want to share sa lahat ng mga Caviteno na kababayan namin that’s why were putting up this program na “Kariton Revolution” its a volunteer sign-up campaign na magsisimula sa Cavite and outside… We’re pushing for 7 advocacies: tulak-kalikasan, tulak-kabuhayan, tulak-kalinangan, kapayapaan, karunungan, kabataan at kalusugan.”
Today, Penaflorida believes apathy and indifference are the only obstacles to lasting change.
“Iyong problema natin na kailangan natin solusyonan yung kawalan natin ng pakialam sa nangyayari sa paligid natin.
“When we first pushed the cart a lot are very skeptic, even jeepney drivers they are discriminating us. hey blare their horns so loud: istorbo daw kami sa daan; itigil na daw yung ginagawa namin walang patutunguhan yan. But after the CNN hero recognition everything changed. Talagang very receptive sila sa program.
“There’s a room sana in our hearts na tugunan ‘yong pangangailangan na nakikita sa paligid natin, wala namang ibang kikilos para sa atin.”
After Efren’s ANC “Headstart” interview, he says many called in to ask about how they could make a donation.
“I prefer to spend money to send kids to school and see them successful.
“God put me in this place hindi para sa sarili ko, bonus yun pag may nagdodonate na mga stuff, its an opportunity for me to give more kasi mas maraming binigay ang Diyos, so its my opportunity to serve others. If we really want change to happen the change should begin in you.”
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/-depth/02/25/12/kariton-revolution-catalyzing-volunteerism-education

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