Pater Ben, SVD, wurde im September 2010 ausgezeichnet, er erhielt für sein Lebenswerk den Titel "Warrior’ for Charity Work".

Er war eingeladen im Sept. 2010 eingeladen zum UN Gipfel Treffen (Millennium Development Goals 2015).

http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/277791/priest-named-mdg-warrior-charity-work

Nachfolgend der Text:

Priest Named ‘MDG Warrior’ for Charity Work
By CHITO A. CHAVEZ
September 18, 2010, 8:44pm

MANILA, Philippines — A priest from the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) was named the nation’s “Millennium Development Goals (MDG) Warrior’’ winner, besting six other nominees who all have unselfishly involved themselves in charity work, creating a positive impact on the lives of the less fortunate in various poor and remote communities of the country.

The announcement was made in simple rites at the Eastwood City in Libis, Quezon City last Thursday night.

During the ceremony coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the MDG, Fr. Ben Beltran was cited for his almost three decades of charitable involvement, which drastically improved the lives of the “poorest among the poor’’ in the Smokey Mountain area in Tondo, Manila, even before the rise of the United Nation’s Millennium Development Goals.

Aside from uplifting the spiritual lives of the poor, Beltran was also instrumental in boosting the economic and physical development of the Smokey Mountain community, known nationwide for its dumpsites through the Tondo Millennium Challenge projects.

The Tondo Millennium Challenge project, of which Beltran is the overall coordinator, includes the program of “Mga Anak ni Inang Daigdig’’ (Children of Mother Earth), an environmental performing arts group whose members grew up in the Smokey Mountain area.

The group, through its dances and rituals of indigenous people in the country, said it hopes to impart the call of protecting God’s creations and inspire everyone to respect mankind and treat others like brothers and sisters.

Guided with the principle of integrity, solidarity, and creativity, Beltran also drew up the Veritas Social Empowerment, which calls for the urban and rural poor to participate in the system of exchange and production in obtaining financial access to uplift their status.

Beltran also established the Sandiwaan Center for Learning, which grants education to all community members to help the learners assume greater responsibility for creating a sustainable future for their families.

He was also cited for establishing MDG Task Forces like the “LikasKayang Katarungan”, “LikasKayang Kaunlaran,” and “LikasKayang Kapaligiran” groups that conducted planning of interventions and information campaigns on the United Nation’s MDG.

During the ceremony, the team of San Sebastian College (SSC) won the student documentary and photography contests that showcased the inspiring work of the seven local “MDG Warriors’’ finalists.

Broadcast journalist Cheche Lazaro, founding president of Probe Productions, Inc., said it is time for the public to recognize the new breed of heroes who have worked selflessly in improving the lives of other people.

Aside from Beltran the other finalists include Dr. Rex Bernardo, spouses Dr. Melario and Purita Sanchez, Dr. Jean Tay, Amina Evangelista-Swanepoel, the Pilipinas Shell Foundation Inc., and the A Single Drop for Safe Water (ASDSW) organization.

The seven finalists represent the first seven MDG goals of ending extreme poverty and hunger, achieving universal education, promoting gender equality, reducing child mortality, improving maternal health, combating AIDS/HIV, malaria and other diseases and ensuring environmental sustainability.

• Zeitungsbericht über Smokey Mountains aus Manila
• Finanzierung von Lehrergehältern
• Bau einer Schule