A devoted teacher gives away 80% of his monthly salary to the poor and his amazing efforts were recognized by the Varkey Foundation’s Global Teacher Prize that came with a $1 million prize.
Peter Tabichi, a math and physics teacher in Kenya, wants to improve the lives of others by donating most of his income.
He told CNN that he will use the prize to promote science, technology, engineering, and math or STEM, and also to continue the development of the Science Club he started.
“I want to use this award to empower and inspire the society … I want to use it to address challenges that society is facing, and I have been promoting STEM learning,” he told CNN.
The 37-year-old also plans on using the money to get water to people in their community and to fix old classrooms at the school.
95 percent of students at Keriko Mixed Day School come from poor families and almost one-third have a single parent or orphans. Many students have to walk for over four miles to attend classes, and problems such as teen pregnancy, dropping out, drug abuse and suicide are prevalent.
Tabachi, who wanted to transform the school’s culture, often visit students’ families to discuss any issues. He also teaches them how to grow crops so they can have food to eat.
“I’m immensely proud of my students. We lack facilities that many schools take for granted,” Tabachi said in a video shared by Global Teacher Prize. “As a teacher I just want to have a positive impact not only [in] my country but in the whole of Africa.”
His continues donations to the community and school have allowed for the construction of new classrooms.
Tabichi also hopes to bring water, a modern computer lab and high speed Wi-Fi to the school.
“When you give you are able to get the inner joy. You feel that good feeling and you feel that you are part of the larger society, the families beyond your blood and your brother,” he told CNN. “Everyone you meet, everyone is your sister, everyone is your brother.”
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Replaced!