[url]http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/8202378.stm[/url]
[quote]Kenya's oldest pupil, Kimani Nganga Maruge, has died in Nairobi aged 90.
The great-grandfather held the Guinness World Record for being the oldest person to start primary school, at the age of 84.
His house in the Rift Valley was burnt down in post-election violence last year and he was later moved from a camp to an old people's home in the capital.
Despite the disruption, Mr Maruge kept hard at his studies and had two years left to finish his primary education.
Mr Maruge, a veteran of the Mau Mau independence movement, never had the opportunity to go to school when he was younger.
The father-of-five said he wanted to learn how to read the Bible for himself and he was also suspicious that he might not have been getting his full pension so he was also keen to study maths.
In 2004 he enrolled at Kapkenduywa primary school, in Eldoret, a year after the Kenyan government introduced free primary schooling.
With one of the best attendance records he was made a prefect in the school.
Two of his 30 grandchildren, who had been at the same school, said he had eventually wanted to complete a veterinary diploma.
'Courageous'
Mumbi Kamuri, head of Cheshire Homes in Kenya where Mr Maruge spent the last year of his life, told the BBC he was dedicated to his studies right to the end.
Even after he was diagnosed with cancer in February he asked for teachers to teach him at home, she said.
"He was a very courageous man," she said.
"Even if you don't see it through to the end, you will still have achieved something."
In 2005, he travelled to the United States where he called on world leaders attending a summit to make education for the poor a priority.
The BBC's Will Ross in Nairobi says he will be remembered by many people as an inspirational figure who brought new meaning to the phrase, "it's never too late". [/quote]
Makes me feel bad about how many of us take knowledge forgranted.
Was it because he didn't have the money to start school or because he stayed back for 70 years?
Woah! 84 years!
Amazingly, I don't think he would learn something, because his brain is very old. And is on a stage that learning is almost imposible
And people say it is always to late for school.....
Everyone should learn a lesson from him.
[i]I've heard of black guys repeating grades but this is ridiculous[/i]
But seriously though, good on him.
Pretty inspiring, he really shows true determination and will. Kudos to the man.
That just brought down Kenya's average age.
person who rated the OP box is dumb, this thread is good
rate me box if you agree
Poor Guy
[img]http://www.facepunch.com/fp_ratings.php?postid=16704861&rating=12[/img]
It's a shame, but tbh I don't see how this is news worthy.
[QUOTE=Shock;16705770]person who rated the OP box is dumb, this thread is good
rate me box if you agree[/QUOTE]
[IMG]http://i414.photobucket.com/albums/pp229/Ishmael102/2009-08-14_221052.png[/IMG]
*cough*
an old person died. amazing.
but a touching story indeed
People have no idea how much we take education for granted.
Read Three Cups of Tea, you'll see what I mean.
[QUOTE=Conn92;16704889]Makes me feel bad about how many of us take knowledge forgranted.[/QUOTE]
im 2 kool 4 skool sucka
[QUOTE=OrDnAs;16705199]Woah! 84 years!
Amazingly, I don't think he would learn something, because his brain is very old. And is on a stage that learning is almost imposible[/QUOTE]
One more box for the dumb bucket.
A old person dies.
News.
Wow, that's both sad and awesome at the same time. Massive respect for the guy, RIP sir.
Inspirational. Even at the age of 84, he went to school to learn.
But okay, gotta give to the guy, hope had a good life.
At least he didn't die illiterate.
[img]http://www.facepunch.com/fp_ratings.php?postid=16716351&rating=1[/img]
I couldn't imagine not knowing how to read, write, and my ABC's for 85 years..........
[img]http://www.facepunch.com/fp_ratings.php?postid=16708109&rating=12[/img]
Good on him.
why do 650 facepunchers believe the OP is dumb?
edit:
oh right it's just some asshole dumb-spamming all over facepunch, looks like I shot myself in the foot, dumb rating wise, huh?
[QUOTE=Gordon Frohm;16718780]why do 650 facepunchers believe the OP is dumb?[/QUOTE]
They were rating themselves, but decided to not post.
"Even if you don't see it through to the end, you will still have achieved something."
That is an amazing quote
Never too late huh? I think once your 90 theres no point anymore.
[img]http://is.gd/2iFez[/img]
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