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I'd like to say that I had the privilege of watching a wonderful movie today called "The First Grader", based on the life of a truly remarkable man. Kimani Nganga Maruge was 84 years old when he decided to go back to school, and join the first grade. His reason for the unique and courageous choice was, he wanted to learn how to read. One of the lessons I have taken away from the life of this person is that it does good to acknowledge and be grateful for the basics which lay the foundation for growth. And also that (in the words of the teacher) - "Learning never ends until you've got soil in your ears."
Here's part of Mr. Maruge's story taken from Wikipedia:
Kimani Maruge
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kimani Ng'ang'a Maruge (c. 1920 - August 14, 2009) holds the Guinness World Record for being the oldest person to start primary school—he enrolled in the first grade on January 12th 2004, aged 84. Although he had no papers to prove his age, Maruge believed he was born in 1920.
Maruge attended Kapkenduiywo Primary School in Eldoret, Kenya; he said that the government's announcement of universal and free elementary education in 2003 prompted him to enroll.
In 2005 Maruge, who was a model student, was elected head boy of his school.
In September 2005, Maruge boarded a plane for the first time in his life, and headed to New York City to address the United Nations Millennium Development Summit on the importance of free primary education.
Maruge died on August 14, 2009 of stomach cancer, at the Cheshire Home for the Aged in Nairobi. He was buried at his farm in Subukia.
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A few pictures I found on the web of the man himself.
