Efren Peñaflorida
Nominated as CNN Hero of the Year in 2009, Efren Peñaflorida founded the Dynamic Teen Company at age 16, aiming to divert students from street gangs towards community activism and personal development. The company also provides youth awareness projects, talent and self-development activities, and community services. With the help of Club 8586, he found the Kariton Klasrum, wherein pushcarts are stocked with school materials to recreate school settings, teaching poor children from the slums. The Kariton Klasrum has made a difference to more than 10,000 children by teaching basic education and hygiene and providing a sanctuary for children.
Sustainable Development Goals:
1┃No Poverty
Eradicating extreme poverty for all people everywhere by 2030 is a pivotal goal of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It can be said that this is where the SDGs revolve. A rise in poverty has been observed through the decades, greatly affecting other linked dimensions.
3┃Good Health and Well-Being
SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-Being aims to provide access to healthcare to all kinds of people. It aims to conclude epidemics of communicable diseases by 2030.
Spreading awareness is one way to help people to make well-informed choices. Medical Assistance Programs can be put into effect, ensuring universal access to health care.
4┃Quality Education
Education for all has been a long-time issue, and it has gotten worse since COVID-19 happened. This is serious, especially since education and awareness are keys to achieving the SDGs.
Governments can provide financial support to students, such as scholarship programs, and improve educational facilities and infrastructures.
10┃Reduced Inequalities
Inequality is ever so prevalent nowadays, resulting into exclusion of groups of people based on their race, beliefs, class, and etc. SDG 10 promotes to show dignity and respect to all lives.
Marginalized sectors must be represented and be given a chance to take on a pivotal role about issues for the better.
16┃Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
All members of society, regardless of their race, gender, biological anatomy, faith, or nationality, must feel safe whenever they go out because we are supposed to promote peaceful and just institutions. However, in recent years, that hasn’t been the case as the number of conflicts around the globe increased.
Governments and their people are encouraged to work together to find lasting solutions to the issue of insecurity. We must exercise the freedom and rights given by the national constitution and advocate for a humane society. Doing so lessens the possibility of violence.
17┃Partnership for the Goals
A sustainable future can be attained through combined efforts. Being cooperative in doing so is one of the primary responsibilities of all countries, including the Philippines. All 17 goals call for all of us to act, leaving no one behind.
Every one of us can help mobilize action toward a greener future.
