Not many recognized Efren Penaflorida as he left the Philippines for a Hollywood gala for CNN Heroes. But when Penaflorida returned from the event as CNN's Hero of the Year, he was greeted by hundreds of screaming fans at Manila airport. Penaflorida was honored for creating mobile "pushcart classrooms," stocked with books, chalkboards and other supplies that bring education to poor Filipino children. Since 1997, he and more than 12,000 teenage volunteers have taught basic reading and writing to more than 1,800 street children. "The pushcart school system is being duplicated in the Philippines, and we receive letters from other parts of the world," Penaflorida said. "Filipinos have become more aware of the need for these children to be educated, fed and taken care of. Before, they saw pushcarts as symbols of poverty. Now they see them as one of hope and education."
