In a colorful ceremony held at the City of Palms Park in Fort Myers, the World Harmony Run gave the Torch-Bearer Award to a Kenyan teacher. Peter Ndiang’ui was honored due to his work in supporting the ethos of the World Harmony Run not only in Florida but worldwide. He was noted as an inspiration to many African and American people.
Peter Ndiang’ui, commonly referred to as Mwalimu was also recognized due to his efforts in promoting students with the Model United Nations students, NAACP ACT-SO students and his efforts to establish a scholarship for African students in Florida Gulf Coast University.
He was also recognized for his efforts improve the performance of his village school (Mathakwa-ini Primary School) in Nyeri with scholarships, computers and awards to motivate students.
Salil Wilson, Executive Director of the World Harmony Run, explained how this event has grown since it was founded as the Peace Run in 1987 by Sri Chinmoy. He explained that the Torch-Bearer Award is presented by the World Harmony Run to people who have inspired their communities through their own lives and deeds. In giving him the medal, Salil Wilson noted that Peter Ndiang’ui symbolizes everything that the organization stood for.
The award is given to the one person who has inspired the local and the global community through his/her works. The winner may be well-known celebrities; professionals; politicians; business people; sportsmen or women; charity workers; doctors or nurses; schoolchildren– anyone who has worked selflessly to better the lives of others. Former recipients include Mother Theresa, Desmond Tutu, Nelson Mandela, Mohammed Ali and many other dignitaries.
The special torchbearer medallion was presented to Mwalimu Peter Ndiang’ui in a special local ceremony attended by Randy Henderson, Mayor of Fort Myers, and Cecil Pendergrass the County Commissioner and many other dignitaries. It was also attended by many Olympians including Queen Kyomo who represented Tanzania in the 1980 and 1984 Olympics. Many gold medal winners from USA were also in attendance. Peter Ndiang’ui has won the Lighthouse award for being the teacher-of-the-year for two years (2011 and 2012) and the NAACP President’s award in 2012. Through his teaching, leadership and community service work, he has been recognized as one of the most influential members of the Kenyan Diaspora.
The world harmony Run team will be visiting Kenya later this year.
World Harmony Run honors Kenyan teacher in Fort Myers Florida
