FOUR years ago, Diether Ocampo asked friends to support his efforts to help indigent children in the country.

With volunteers, individual and corporate benefactors, Diet?s Kabataang Inyong Dapat Suportahan (KIDS) Foundation has launched feeding and scholarship programs, financial grants, book distribution events, medical missions and sports festivals.

?I?m happy to see more people giving generously, because they believe in the cause,? Diet told the Inquirer.

The foundation has since become a successful nonprofit, nongovernmental organization.

?This is a simple advocacy, but I know that God has guided me because my intentions are good,? said Diet, 33.

KIDS has extended assistance to children in remote areas, regardless of creed, he said. ?We?ve been in Cotabato, Zamboanga... as far as the youth is concerned, we do not discriminate.?

He has found donors abroad through ABS-CBN?s The Filipino Channel (TFC), Diet added.

For him, the problem that most urgently needs to be addressed is child labor. ?We see there?s something wrong. The youth is not protected by the Labor Code. Many children are breadwinners, when they should be in school. In fact, the kids should be in school.?

He shot down insinuations that his work is a preparation for a political career. ?I?ve turned down a lot of offers [to run for public office],? Diet said.

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UN envoy

UNITED NATIONS?UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon chose the International Day of Persons with Disabilities to introduce pop star and multiple Grammy winner Stevie Wonder as UN Messenger of Peace.

Ban said Wonder was selected not because he is a global star but because ?he is a great humanitarian and activist.?

The UN official cited Wonder?s campaigns against apartheid in South Africa and hunger in Ethiopia, benefit concerts for children and families in need, and long years of work on behalf of the disabled.

?I hope that every single human being and every single world leader, will commit themselves to making this world a better place,? Wonder said.

Ban told Wonder, ?The perfect motto for what we want to achieve is the title of one of your great songs: ?Signed, Sealed and Delivered.??

Nic Cage, too
Film star Nicolas Cage has also been appointed a goodwill ambassador, for the UN Office on Drugs and Crime.

Ban presented the actor/filmmaker with the UN Correspondents Association?s Global Citizen of the Year award for humanitarian endeavors.

Cage said his role will be ?to shine a spotlight on the need for global justice.?

The Amnesty International advocate has donated $2 million to establish a fund to help former child soldiers and led a campaign around his film, ?Lord of War,? to raise awareness about international arms control.