Today KidsRights announces the three nominees for the International Children’s Peace Prize 2012, the ultimate international recognition for advocates of children’s rights. It is awarded every year by a Nobel Peace Prize Winner to a child who has made a significant contribution to advocating children’s rights. On 19 September Nobel Peace Prize Winner Desmond Tutu will present the prize to one of the three nominees in the Ridderzaal in The Hague, the Netherlands.
The nominees’ inspiring stories
The children nominated for 2012 are Amina (15) from Ghana, Anwara (16) from India and Kesz (13) from the Philippines. They were selected from 97 entries from 43 different countries. Amina, Anwara and Kesz are actively committed to advocating children’s rights. They all brought about impressive changes in their communities at a very young age, each in their own way:
Amina (15) from Ghana risked being taken out of school aged twelve to be forced into marriage. Her teachers managed to prevent this in collaboration with the local authorities. Ever since, Amina has been defending the right to education for girls. Despite her young age, Amina has already made many people in Ghana aware of girls’ right to education. She founded an organisation that defends the rights of children. Among other things, she sends out petitions asking for constitutional changes.
Anwara (16) is from the West Bengal region in India. After her father passed away Anwara was given to a local human trafficker. She was forced into domestic labour and was freed by a local NGO in 2008. Since then she has been fighting girl trafficking and early marriage. Anwara has managed to help many girls and their families in her community.Kesz from the Philippines (13) was abused and forced to beg and scavenge at the
dumpsite as a two-year-old. Three years later, he even sustained burns on his arm and back, which prompted him to run away. On his seventh birthday Kesz did not want any presents for himself; he wanted to help other street kids instead. That year, Kesz set up an organisation aimed at giving children hope and showing them that they can take their future into their own hands. So far Kesz has helped over 10,000 children.The complete press release can be downloaded here, additional information about the children can be found at Nominees 2012
14 Comments
i admire the three nominees. they are already winners and fitted to be honored. As a filipino, I support our nominee and hope that he will be an example to all filipino youth to take part our efforts for nation building and generously offer one’s talent for the good of humanity.
Galing ng PINOY! Angat ang PINOY!Go KESZ….every children has the right to live, but the responsibility should come first and fur-most with their Parents and Elders…Eventhough, it was like that there are still Good people willing to help those needy children.
we are inspired by their stories and willingness to help others despite of their present condition……keep it up…we salute all of u….
I have personally met this amazing boy last June 2012 at his place near the dumpsite. He is so passionate about helping his community, teach them to read and write, teach them about hygiene, have hope and pursue their dreams. He works and saves his money by selling candies to buy sleepers for these children, to prevent their feet from being cut by the broken glasses while scavenging for food. An inspiring young boy who wants to make a difference in his own country.
Given a chance to get a recognition for his work and good example to everyone will motivated not only him but other children in the community. Thank you.
Any Child who has withstood abuse of adults, with physical and emotional wounds and still is able to come out of it and help others, deserves all the recognition that is awarded him .Through knowing about him, other children will be inspired by his example. I vote for Kesz to win the award.
We met this Boy Kesz personally and interviewed him because we are one of the donors through our Organization here in Luxembourg (www.pls.pt.lu)
This Boy deserves to win this award because he was in the dumpsites since he was 2 yrs.old his parents is bringing him while scavenging.When he was 5 he sustained burned bec. his fellow pushed him in the burning tire and he showed it to us the mark in the skin.After the hospitalisation the parents dont want him anymore because he is “bad luck child” he cannot help them anymore to scavenge since he has to stay home waiting to be healed.Parents use the money from scavenging to buy alcohol and be drunk.So the org. took care of him and at the age of 7 he is helping the people who are in need especially victims of the calamities using his savings from his allowance.And now he has his own organization of himself. He really deserve to win at his age you can see his desire to help to those who are in need. Thank you for voting him.
This Boy deserve to be nominated because with his age you can really see his desire to help those who
are in need.Very rare to see children at his age helping others even form his own allowance.
As much as these 3 stories have touched me, I have found Kesz’s story very moving! I truly hope that he will win this price.
Best Regards,
Darlene Rossini
Kaez,
Keep up the good work. We’re very proud of you as our “kababayan.
Fermin
Philippines is such a beautiful country with rich natural resources and hospitable people but unfortunately the corruption which caused poverty has deprived poor children from normal growth or any happiness. This is the reason why I admire Kesz’ initiative to create an organisation in order to help his fellow children.This award will motivate him further to go a long way of saving street children already abused and acquire normal lives. Kesz is an extraordinary child and deserve to be recognized by the world and looked up by fellow children from developing and rich countries. A very good example!
I would like to vote for the three of them if so possible, but if there is only one who is meant to be chosen, I would opt for Kesz because he is the youngest among the candidates. His story will strike a lot of attention not only to people whom their lives has been blessed and would like to help but above all it will open the eyes of the parents who abuses their children. May this campaign not only focus on the rights of the children but give emphasis to adults who are taking advantage of the innocence of a child.
I admire so much about Kesz from the Philippines. Inspite of his difficult life, abused, and maltrated he became a good hearted person, To see his very sweet smile and a heart of gold I thank God he turned to be a good boy
A young Hero for others to follow his great deed.Hope he awakens the heart of the rulers of the country and that they may see the need to help.Bravo to this young boy!Let us all choose him to win the prize for he deserves it.Mabuhay!!!
Bravo Kesz! You’re a great inspiration. How I wish our leaders be inspired by your story and contribution to our community. God bless you more.
One Trackback