Ex Students Donate Over R300k for Homeless Teacher,77, Living in Car

Ex Students Donate Over R300k for Homeless Teacher,77, Living in Car

- A Californian teacher in the US was given a pleasant surprise by his former students

- The 77-year-old teacher was living in his 24-year-old car for close to eight years because he was sending all his salary back to his family in Mexico

- His former students raised KSh 2.9M (over R300k) to help him get a house and support his family even as he continues teaching

PAY ATTENTION: Join Briefly News' Telegram channel! Never miss important updates!

A 77-year-old teacher who has been living in his car got a boost from his former students who raised KSh 2.9M to help him live a better life.

77-year-old teacher living in car receives KSh 2.9M from former students
A substitute teacher living in a car got aKSh 2.9M birthday present from former students. Photo: Getty images.
Source: UGC

Jose Villarruel was working as a substitute teacher but as soon as the pandemic hit, he was among the first workers who were sent home without pay.

One of his former students Steven Nava noticed that he was always moving around his car and sleeping in it.

Read also

Student who got 8 distinctions plans on pursuing career in medicine

He then decided to rally other students to raise money so that they could help the teacher.

Initially, their goal was to raise KSh 500k but they were shocked that the amount raised was almost six times their starting goal.

When turning 77 years old on Thursday, 11, the students decided to surprise him with goodies and the check while also serenading him for shaping their lives.

“We do not appreciate these teachers enough, and that is something that we should be doing,” said Nava.

According to the teacher, he has been living in his 24-year-old car for close to eight years.

But things got worse for him when the pandemic started when schools closed and he was left with no income and no job.

He literally carried everything in his car, powers his laptop via the car battery electricity and he says, he cannot afford to rent a house because he has his family back in Mexico who rely on his salary.

Read also

From cleaner to lecturer: Local man's story inspires the masses

He could not believe what his students had done for him and he said:

“I am still trying to digest the entire experience, it is extraordinary. Totally unexpected.”

His students then gave him all the goodies they had for him and watched him drive off.

In more heartwarming Briefly.co.za news, a heartwarming clip has been shared online by a man with the Instagram handle @isaiahgarzaintl, who is seen helping a homeless man. In the clip, the kind man asks the homeless man what would put a smile on his face.

To which the homeless guy responded that a tent, a blanket and some food would really make him happy. Not long into the clip, the man leaves to buy all the things and gives them to the pleasantly surprised homeless guy.

Many of the generous man's Instagram followers loved the heartwarming post. A lot of them flocked to the comment section to commend him for his kind-heartedness.

Enjoyed reading our story? Download BRIEFLY's news app on Google Play now and stay up-to-date with major South African news!

Source: Briefly News

Online view pixel