Kesz Váldez

Kesz Valdez
Born December 26, 1998
Cavite City, Cavite, Philippines
Nationality Philippines Filipino
Awards 2012 International Children's Peace Prize

Kesz Valdez (born December 26, 1998, Cavite City, Cavite, Philippines) is a Filipino awardee of the 2012 International Children's Peace Prize in The Hague, Netherlands and received a 100,000 euro ($130,000) prize. He is the first southeast Asian to receive the International Children's Peace Prize and the youngest among the finalists nominated for the recognition.[1][2]

Biography

At age 2, he was forced to scavenge at a dump. His father forced him to get things from garbage and sell them, so that he could afford drugs and alcohol.

At 4, he ran away from the home and began living off the streets, sleeping in a public cemetery with other children, he recalled. Then, an accident happened. While he scavenging one night with other kids, he fell into a pile of burning tires, suffering a severe injury on his arm.[3]

At the age of 7, he was adopted by Community worker Harnin Manalaysay, founder of the Bible study and outreach group Club 8586. Manalaysay treated Keszs wounds and took the boy under his wing. Manalaysay was the mentor of another humanitarian working for street children CNN Hero Efren Peñaflorida.[4] Kesz together with his guardian Harnin Manalaysay founded the Championing Community Children, an organization which aims at giving hope and showing the street children they can transform their own lives and inspire others to do so as well. Kesz helped more than 10,000 children in his community.[5]

References

  1. ↑ "Pinoy peace prize awardee Kesz Valdez dedicates award to guardian". GMA News. September 25, 2012.
  2. ↑ "Young Pinoy peace awardee Kesz Valdez tells world's children: Do not lose hope". GMA News. September 25, 2012.
  3. ↑ "Filipino kid wins $130,000 peace prize". Inquirer Global Nation. September 21, 2012.
  4. ↑ "Filipino kid wins $130,000 peace prize". Inquirer Global Nation. September 21, 2012.
  5. ↑ "Cris "Kesz" Valdez, 13 year old boy, commended for winning 2012 International Children’s Peace Prize". Remate. December 10, 2012.