Filipino teener Kyle G. Baleva hiked a total of 120 km in four days, successfully finishing the Vierdaagse Nijmegen (Nijmegen International Four-Day Marches) on 23 July for the second year in a row. For his efforts, Kyle received his second official Dutch decoration, the “Vierdaagsekruis” medal, and drew greater attention and support for orphaned children in the Philippines.
 
Most people join the Vierdaagse Nijmegen just for fun or as a sport. But 13-year old Kyle joins the walkathon for a good cause. He wants to draw people's attention to the plight of children in the Philippines who were orphaned when one or both of their parents were either killed or have  disappeared because of their political beliefs. He has been asking family, friends, classmates and acquaintances to donate a small amount to A Hand for an Orphan, a Philippines-based project which provides food, education and psychological support for the victimized children.
 
“I know that the Vierdaagse is very difficult, especially during the very hot days... But it's nothing compared to the difficulties that the children in the Philippines face,” Kyle explains. The Vierdaagse organizers requested the participants to start at least one hour earlier and to drink extra amounts of liquids on day one, 20 July, in anticipation of the 33 degrees summer heat. Four years earlier, the organizers were forced to stop the event after two participants died during the first day, when the temperature also reached 33 degrees.
 
It was thus very good news that, aside from a slight ankle pain, Kyle did not experience any injury, not even a single blister on his feet! “My feet are painful at the end of every day. But I only need a good night's rest to heal,” Kyle says, “When I wake up the next day, my feet feel normal again!”
 
“We are happy that Kyle has been consistent in his advocacy to raise awareness and support for orphaned children in the Philippines,” stated Ma. Esmeralda Macaspac, Executive Director of the non-profit Children's Rehabilitation Center. The CRC administers the A Hand for an Orphan Project.
 
Ms. Macaspac said that, “Even as the government of Gloria Arroyo has ended, human rights violations still continue, and children continue to lose their parents to military violence.
 
“That is why Kyle's advocacy remains relevant and we are very grateful for his persistence.” The CRC has been helping children recover from their traumatic experience by providing psycho-social support and education, medical and legal assistance as well.
 
Last year, Kyle's walk-for-a-cause was able to provide nutritional and educational assistance to six of these orphans namely, Sugar and Liza Calubad, Karlo and Philip Sta. Rosa, and Karla and Jonjon Gacatura. He hopes that more people will donate this year, so that assistance to the six can continue and even more children can be supported.
 
Kyle's efforts also didn't go unnoticed in the Dutch media. In its Vierdaagse 2010 Special Edition, the De Brug Nijmegen weekly featured Kyle as a Vierdaagse hero, together with foster family Co Martens and Marianne Jansen. RTV Utrecht also broadcasted an interview about the sponsor-walk on 19 July, http://mediaplayer.rtvutrecht.nl/stream/6ad48d42.wmv.
 
Kyle vows to continue participating in the Nijmegen International Four-Day Marches in the coming years, to continue appealing for support for orphaned children in the Motherland. As he waves goodbye to Co and Marianne, he says, "Tot volgend jaar!" (Until next year!)
 
Would you like to support Kyle's cause? Donations are still very welcome at Stichting voor Filippijnse Kinderen's bankrekening 4278866; please indicate: “Sponsor Kyle”. For more information, you may contact us at: kyleswalk@filipinochildren.net

 

 

 

Munting Nayon News Magazine