KENYA: Global Teacher Prize Winner Becomes Second African to Win Global Ahimsa Award
Br. Peter Tabichi receives the 2020 Ahimsa Award
Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA
A year after a member of the Order of St. Francis Br. Peter Mokaya Tabichi won the 2019 Global Teacher Prize, he has again been conferred the 2020 Ahimsa Award making him the second African to win the prize after the 1st President of South Africa Nelson Mandela.
Ahimsa which means non-violence is an annual award given by the Institute of Jainology (IOJ) in London in recognition of individuals who promote acts of non-violence and compassion in the society.
Br. Tabichi OSF received the award on Ahimsa Day Sunday, October 24, during the virtual session of the 18th Jain All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for having improved attendance at his school, reduced local violence and taught local communities how to grow crops that can resist famine.
In an interview with AMECEA Online on November 11, the global teacher expressed that the award is a “privilege and great honour” which he has received through God’s grace, not because of him being special.
He narrated that IOJ might have recognized his works after winning the Global Teacher Prize.
“I think the Global Award I received last year put me in the global map and people read about me and got to know who I am and what I am doing. The fact that I am a teacher, they were inspired that I go beyond classroom work though I wouldn’t say that I am the best because there are so many people doing good things in the world,” he said.
“I also know the institute does not just look at someone’s work done within a short period of time but they go back to one’s history and trail what the person has been doing,” the Franciscan brother said adding, “I have been involved in various activities dating back to 2015 and it seems these works are in harmony with the objectives of Ahimsa.”
“The Award puts me on the global map, improves my profile and open ways for those who wish to support what I am doing to do so. Even now the team that gave me the Award have already contacted me and are willing to support what I am doing,” he narrating some of the privileges that come with the Award.
Br. Tabichi who was recently honored to be a member of the National Heroes Council, a body whose work is to originate policy relating to heroes, establish and oversee management of a national heroes square, oversee design of appropriate commemorative items, administer state assistance to heroes and manage properties relating to heroes disclosed to AMECEA Online some of the activities that have kept him busy during the period of pandemic.
“During this period of Covid-19, I have been helping students learn online, I have been sharing with people on way forward and giving messages of hope to teachers and students not only from my school but from other schools too,” he said.
The Kenyan Franciscan urged members of the society to embrace each other without discrimination because of race or colour saying, “If I have been identified by an Indian group and I am not one of them, it shows that we are all united as brothers and sisters even if we are from different backgrounds. Let us appreciate each other in our differences and uniqueness.”
The Ahimsa Day is normally celebrated on October 2, to coincide with the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi who employed non-violent resistance to lead the successful campaign for India’s independence from the British rule and in turn inspired movements for civil rights and freedom across the world.
