Scavenger Becomes a Model of Hope

Kesz Valdez with anti-apartheid hero Archbishop Desmond Tutu

You have probably heard of him. He has been in the news front for days now for winning the International Children’s Peace Prize at The Hague which includes a  $130,000 prize money and a Nkosi trophy. 

Cris "Kesz" Valdez (the 13 year old kid who was once a scavenger), grew up in an environment where most of us would move heaven and earth not to get into. He had the kind of upbringing where losing hope seems to be unavoidable. 

At the age of two, when most kids would be throwing tantrums at a toy store as their parents look on in desperation, Kesz was rummaging through piles of dirt and God knows what in search of newspapers and bottles to sell.

Instead of succumbing to the temptation of drugs (like most street kids do) or becoming a thief, he chose to stand against all that adversity and triumphed.

I like stories such as this one because it makes me realize that habitual complaining about the hardships of life is a total waste of time and energy. 

Kesz Valdez is a true giver and model of hope. Through his extraordinary ways, he has shown us that one can be great despite of misfortunes if one chooses to. 

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