A Kenyan science teacher who gives away 80 percent of his salary to his students was just awarded $1 million and the title of being the best teacher in the world.

Peter Tabichi, 36, was given the Varkey Foundation’s 2019 Global Teacher Prize in a ceremony hosted by Hugh Jackman at the Atlantis Hotel in Dubai. He was given the award for his “dedication, hard work and passionate belief” in his students who all live in poverty.

Peter selflessly gives away 80% of his salary to support his students, who otherwise could not afford uniforms, books or food.

“Even affording breakfast is hard. They’re not able to concentrate, because they haven’t had enough meals at home,” he said. “As a teacher working on the front line I have seen the promise of its young people – their curiosity, talent, their intelligence, their belief. Africa’s young people will no longer be held back by low expectations. Africa will produce scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs whose names will be one day famous in every corner of the world. And girls will be a huge part of this story.”

The Global Teacher Prize is given out each year to raise the status of the teaching profession. Each year, the winner is chosen by a committees comprised of teachers, journalists, officials, entrepreneurs, business leaders and scientists.

Sunny Varkey, who is the founder of the prize, expressed hopes that Peter’s story “will inspire those looking to enter the teaching profession and shine a powerful spotlight on the incredible work teachers do all over Kenya and throughout the world every day”.

“The thousands of nominations and applications we received from every corner of the planet is testimony to the achievements of teachers and the enormous impact they have on all of our lives,” Sunny said.