The pushcart and the backhoe, isn't it ironic that the former now symbolizes what it would take for our country to heal itself and move forward, while the latter now serves as a reminder of how little has changed and how backward we still are.

Efren Penaflorida and a team of young volunteers have been spending the last twelve years teaching reading, math and writing, and even personal hygiene to not only street children but also those that live in the slums and depressed barangays. They do it not in a classroom, but in whatever place that they can gather the children. Sometimes in dumpsites, cemeteries, basketball courts or even under a tree. They bring with them everything that they need, books, pens, even tables and chairs, all placed inside a pushcart.

Every day , volunteers of the Dynamic Teen Company, push their pushcarts into these depressed areas in order provide basic education and more importantly, offer a glimmer of hope to the poor children.

Hope that is epitomized in Efren’s example. Efren himself was a former resident of a slum, located not too far from a dumpsite. He cites education as one of the biggest factors he was able to move up from the shanty of his childhood. He said, "Instead of being discouraged, I promised myself that I would pursue education, I will strive hard; I will do my best."

He cites another big obstacle for these street children, the huge prevalence of street gangs. These gangs not only control the areas but they often force the children to be accomplices in whatever gang activities occur. Sometimes these might be as simple as committing vandalism to as serious as alcohol and drugs, even acts such as robbery and rape. When Efren was 16, he stood up to a gang leader by refusing to join the gang. That gave him the inspiration to look for something that can provide teenagers an alternative to gang membership

The Dynamic Teen Company was the answer to giving his classmates not only a diversion but a chance also to help others. Efren proudly says, "Our volunteers serve as an inspiration to other children." This simple idea blossomed into an inspiring movement that has helped a estimated 1,500 street and slum children as well as recruiting 10,000 volunteers to uplift themselves by helping someone.

Last Saturday, The world sat up and recognized Efren when he was selected as the CNN 2009 Hero of the Year. Three million votes were cast and Efren was selected and awarded at a star studded ceremony at Hollywood’s Kodak Theatre. Efren gave a inspiring speech in which he said, “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.” He adds, “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.” He concludes to genuine applause, “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.”

Efren’s amazing example should be held up as a shining beacon on what it takes for our country to heal itself and move forward. We can no longer thrive while the rest of our countrymen suffer. We cannot make the march to become an industrialized nation if we leave many of our brothers and sisters behind in poverty. The recent events in Maguindanao only crystallize this fact even more. Isn’t it ironic that in the span of a week, the pushcart is the symbol of progress and the mighty backhoe, a grim reminder of how backward we still really are.

We need to be the change that we dream about. We also need to start now. Let’s follow the examples of these ordinary individuals as they strive to make a difference. Each week, lets all get together and share knowledge, stories, experiences, information, all for the sole purpose of getting One Step Up.

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