| Everyone Needs a Hero |
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Last night I watched the Heroes Awards on CNN. The work of the honorees across the world was incredible and awe-inspiring. These are ordinary people who have chosen to give their time, energy and resources to better the lives of those less fortunate than they. I was humbled as I saw the sacrifices these people had made for those in need. While all of the honorees were winners, the grand prize was awarded to Efen Penaflorida. This remarkable young man grew up in extreme poverty in the Philippines. He was fortunate to receive an education and immediately realized that it was the only thing between him and life in a gang or death. Without formal teacher training he started a “pushcart classroom” project to bring education to poor Filipino children. Efen says that since the kids couldn’t get to the schools, he decided to bring the schools to them. The joy on the faces of his young students as they rush toward the pushcarts, work on their studies and enjoy the books and games Efen provides for them is heart-warming. In his beautifully articulate acceptance speech Efen said, “Our planet is filled with heroes, young and old, rich and poor, man, woman of different colors, shapes and sizes. We are one great tapestry, each person has a hidden hero within; you just have to look inside you and search it in your heart, and be the hero to the next one in need. So to each and every person inside in this theater and for those who are watching at home, the hero in you is waiting to be unleashed. Serve, serve well, serve others above yourself and be happy to serve. As I always tell to my co-volunteers … you are the change that you dream as I am the change that I dream and collectively we are the change that this world needs to be.”During the holiday season we often look for ways to inspire our students to be more giving and compassionate. I can’t imagine a better story to share with them than this story of hope, compassion and commitment demonstrated so beautifully by a young man who knows that education is the answer. http://edition.cnn.com/2009/LIVING/11/16/cnnheroes.tribute.show/index.html
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