Homeless Boy Wins $130,000 Children's Peace Prize, "Our Health is Our Wealth!"
A young boy in the Philippines got the award of this young life.
Cris "Kesz" Valdez, 13, has spent a majority of his life homeless, but his big heart has helped him to receive $130,000 for his efforts.
The Philippines' born Valdez lived on the streets since he was only two years old.
Kesz got to share his emotional story when a documentary was made about him. In it he says: "All I can remember is misery and darkness. I remember my father beating me." He added that, "I had to make money so he could buy alcohol and drugs."
The young boy struggled to survive as even his home wasn't a safe place. Kesz left his abusive home when he was four to join a multitude of other children that also lived on the streets. His ordeal involved trying to find food as he made a makeshift shelter at a dump which led to him getting severe injuries after falling into a burning tire pit.
Kesz sought help which eventually lead to finding a guardian and a bit of peace in his troubled life. However, Kesz felt the need to help the poor children on the streets as he identified deeply with their struggle.
When he turned 7, he started to make a difference when he created his organization, Championing Community Children, which has gained many volunteers to help teach and take care of the homeless children.
"I did not have a lot of money ... but I had a lot of love to give," said Kesz.
His big heart got the attention of others and now he's the latest recipient of the Children's Peace, with an award of $130,000 which is given annually to children who have come up with remarkable ideas for helping people in need. Kesz was also handed the award at a formal ceremony at the Hague by Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
"My message to all children around the globe is; our health is our wealth! Being healthy will enable you to play, to think clearly, to get up and go to school and love the people around you in so many ways," says Kesz in a statement on the Children's Peace Prize website.
