A push cart that builds lives, and a nation

Much has been said about Efren. For 12 years, he was made fun, taunted, and praised for teaching kids to read in a gang-populated community. He's harvest came when this year, he went from being the unknown Joe to a top nominee as a CNN 2009 Hero

He founded the Dynamic Teen Company - an organization of teenage volunteers who teach street kids to write and read. Efren's ultimate goal is to divert these young minds from joining gangs by focusing their time on more productive activities. Armed with only a "kariton" or a push cart filled with books, drawing boards, pencils and crayons, the group set out on the streets of Cavite and hold classes on streets, cemeteries and parks.

Stories like that of Efren never fail to move us. It is really the small things that make a big difference, as Malcolm Gladwell puts it. Imagine 12 years of doing the small but right act when nobody is there to praise, when support is seldom. 12 years of looking beyond oneself to help another.

Efren Penaflorida is a nationbuilder. I hope every Filipino, most specially those seated in power, will be inspired by his humble, heartful, honest service.

Read full CNN story here and please VOTE for him. :)