Paw Prints / March, 2014 9
Thulani Madondo (continued)
Thulani Madondo, the director and cofounder of KYP, is like a brother to all of the participants of the Kliptown Youth Program. His dream of helping and giving back to the community has finally come true. Even though there are more than 10,000 in the community, he still has managed to reel in the attention of 400 more kids. From growing up in a family of nine, Madondo grew up knowing that he wanted to be the first out of his family to graduate from high school. After he graduated he came back to his hometown willing to help kids and tutor them. Since he has started the program, 21 members have graduated and went to college. This program has been very successful. He truly is a hero. -Tyler Sanders and Malik Finley
Catalina Escobar
Catalina Escobar has started a program to help teenage moms in Cartagena, Colombia. It all started when a 12 day-old baby died in her arms at the maternity ward where she volunteered. Less than a week later, another tragedy occurred: her own son passed away due to a very tragic accident. She didn’t want any other mother to feel that pain, so she took action. Her program, Juan Felipe Gomez Escobar Foundation, named after her late son, provides over 2,000 teenage mothers with counseling, education, and job training. At first, she focued on lowering the infant mortality rate at the hospital where she volunteered: “She built a state-of-the-art neonatal unit, brought in experts to train the clinic’s staff, and established a program to cover the medical costs for babies born to impoverished mothers.” This brought the rate of infant deaths down 67%. “For the first year, young mothers come to the center every weekday, leaving their babies at the daycare, while they attend classes.” During the first six months, the teens take part in therapy sessions to help them understand their new reality and responsibilities.- Paige Sutton
Scott Strode
Scott Strode is just like the namesake of his facility, The Phoenix. He was dying because of all the drugs and alcohol he was consuming. But like the phoenix, he would be reborn. He woke up one morning on the bathroom floor after a bender in college. He decided that he did not want to be "found dead in a ditch."
While in this new state of mind, he lost all of his former friends. Strode began to participate in activities such as boxing, bike riding, and climbing. Because of these new activities, Strode gained new friends who shared his ideals. But many people still suffered from the same demons that haunted Strode in his younger years, so he decided to help them.
In 2007, Strode started Phoenix Multisport to help people who are struggling like he did with drugs and alcohol addictions. Over 4,700 people have joined Phoenix Multisport to help eradicate their addictions. Strode says, “We want to help people build a new life, a new self-image and have fun without getting high.” Phoenix Multisport gives the choices of about 50 programs per week. Strode says that his facility is not an alternative to any rehabilitation curriculum. Strode is an example of a hero.
Just like Hercules, who went through hardships, Strode does things for others. But he doesn’t do it for the glory. He, like a dying Beowulf, is only thinking of others. That is why he is a hero. That is why he deserves that title. -Josh Moody