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Neli chebooiIn 2019, Kenai left an attractive software engineering job in Chicago to create a computer lab for school children, 2022 CNN Nayak of the Year.
Online voters chose him from the middle of this year Top 10 CNN Nayak,
Chobi’s non -profit, Techlit Africa, has given thousands of students in rural Kenya, and have given a chance in a bright future.
Cheboi accepted the award with his mother, who said “worked really hard to educate us.” At the beginning of her acceptance speech, Cheboi and her mother sang a song, which she explained that she had a special meaning when she was growing up.
As the CNN Hero of the Year, Chebooi will receive $ 100,000 to expand its work. He and the other top 10 CNN heroes were honored in Sunday’s Gala, all receive a cash prize of $ 10,000 and for the first time, additional grants, organizational training and support from the Elevate Prize Foundation through a new cooperation with CNN heroes. Nelli will also be named an elevate prize winner, which comes with an $ 300,000 grant and an additional assistance of $ 200,000 for its non -profit organization.
Chebooi Pali -Badhi in poverty in a rural township Mogotio in Kenya. “I know the pain of poverty,” said 29 -year -old Chebooi. “I never forgot what was so with churning in my stomach due to hunger at night.”
A hard working student, Chebooi received a full scholarship for Augustana College in Illinois in 2012. He started almost no experience with computers, handwriting letters and started his studies while struggling to move them on a laptop.
Everything changed in his junior year, however, when Cheboi required a programming course for the head of his mathematics.
“When I discovered computer science, I just fell in love with it. I knew that it’s something I wanted to do as my career, and also brought it to my community,” he told CNN.
Many basic computer skills were still a difficult learning state, though. Chobi remembers to practice touch-typing for six months before passing the coding interview. Touch-typing is a skill that is now a main part of the Techlit course.
He said, “I feel very proficient to see children who are 7 years old touch-typing, knowing that I have just learned how to touch less than five years ago,” he said.
Once he started working in the software industry, Chebooi soon realized to what extent the computers were being thrown away as companies upgraded their technology infrastructure.
“We have children here (in Kenya) – Back to themselves, back in the day – who doesn’t even know what a computer is,” he said.
Therefore, in 2018, he began to transport the computers back donated back to Kenya – in his personal goods, handling customs duty and taxes.
“At one point, I was bringing 44 computers, and I paid more for the goods made for air tickets,” he said.
A year later, he co-install Techlit Africa with a fellow software engineer after leaving his job. Computer donations from non -profit companies, universities and individuals.
Hardware is erased and renewed before sending Kenya. There, it is distributed to the schools participating in rural communities, where students between the ages of 4 to 12 get daily classes and get frequent opportunities to learn from professionals, get skills that will help improve their education and prepare them for better future jobs.
“We have people who own a specific skills and are inspired by children (with) music production, video production, coding, personal branding,” said Chebooi. “They can go to music production by doing a remote class with NASA on education.”
The organization currently serves 10 schools; Within the next year, Cheboi is expected to participate with 100 more.
“I hope when the first Techlit Kids Graduate High School, they are able to get online jobs because they will know how to code, they would know how to design the graphic, they would know how to do marketing,” Cheboi said. “When you are educated, the world is your oyster. By bringing resources, bringing these skills, we are opening the world for them.”
The moment CNN’s hero of the year is announced
An inspirational night of valor and advocacy
CNN’s Anderson Cooper and ABC’s Kelly Ripa co-maintained the 16th annual “CNN Heroes: One All-Star Tribute”, which included more than a dozen celebrity presenter.
Actress and singer Sophia Carson said, “We are very deeply honored for coming here.” “Diana wrote this incredible anthem ‘applause’ for those who are living, alive and fighting and tonight we dedicate this song and performance to our heroes.”
Actor Obre Plaza started CNN Hero Aden reeliWho started his non -profit institution during home from college during the early months of Kovid -19 epidemic.
“From his epidemic couch, Adan and his friends co-establish the formalink project,” said the Plaza. Non -profit institution connects extra food from fields throughout the US – food that will otherwise be ruined – for those who need it. “In only two years, he has gone more than 70 million pounds,” the plaza said.
Debra wine – Whose non -profit answer ink. In disqualified communities in Chicago supports autism affected families – actress Holi Robinson Pate, was awarded by a “fellow Autism Mom”.
Wine says his group has provided programming and guidance to more than 4,000 families. “Join me and become a servant for change today,” Wine said when he is accepting his award.
And Amy Award winning actor Justin Therox brought his defense dog Kuma on stage for honor Carrie Broker And his non -profit, peace of mind, dog defense.
Two teenagers were also honored as 2022 young miracles from distinguishing their communities:
Ruby Chitsi, a 15 -year -old Ruby Chitci from Harrison, Arkansas, launched “three Vishs for the residents of Ruby”, who donated personal items to the residents of the nursing home who could not tolerate them otherwise.
13 -year -old Mr. Nihal Tanmanana of Edison of New Jersey began “Recycle My Battery”, which uses batteries out of the ecosystem through a network of collection compartments.
The show was also honored Two Georgia Pol workersShay Moss and his mother Ruby Freeman, whose life was raised after false allegations that they were involved in the election fraud spread on social media.
CNN has participated with Gofundme to enable Donation for the top 10 honors of this yearGofundme is the world’s largest wealth raising platform which empowers people and charitable to help and achieve. Supporters can donate online to non-profit organizations of top 10 CNN heroes directly from cnnheroes.com. Subaru is matching all donations up to $ 50,000 for each honor of this year through Subaru January 3, 2023.
Do you know that someone in your community is doing amazing things to make the world a better place? To keep an eye Cnn.com/heroes And consider nominating the person as a CNN hero in 2023. You can also read more about many of the 350 past CNN heroes who have helped more than 55 million people in all 50 American states and more than 110 countries around the world.
