A British teacher has been honoured with a lifetime award after spending a considerable amount of his professional life raising millions for Kenyan children.
David Barnes, who serves as the senior master at Strathallan School, was awarded the Stephen Winkley Award by the Boarding Schools Association in his home country.
He was praised for his efforts in ensuring that boarding schools across the globe flourish by championing efforts to keep children in school.
In Kenya, the teacher spearheaded the Strath Kenya Project, founded by Strathallan School, where they have been raising money since 2008 to benefit Kenyan students.
In 2020 alone, the project raised Ksh1.4 million to support orphans at the Kenya Children's Home, Maasai girls at the Soila Rescue School in Suswa.
Some of the funds were also channeled towards supporting 40 children from the Mashimoni District of the Kibera Slum in Nairobi.
Accepting the award, Barnes acknowledged his colleagues for supporting his courses to benefit the lives of children.
“I feel very humbled. Education is a collaborative process and I’m just blessed to be supported by such fantastic colleagues, wonderful young people and a passionate community.
“I would like to thank the BSA for their award and a huge thank you and love to my family who have stuck by me throughout," stated Barnes.
The Stephen Winkley Award, which was founded in 2014, is an annual award named after a former headteacher who passed away that year. It is aimed at marking contributions towards school boarding.
Education players in Scotland have hailed Mr Barnes as a role model throughout the industry.
"David is a tireless champion of our students and a brilliant role model for all of us. Whether he’s giving advice or setting up a safe space to discuss mental health during the lockdown, he has always been someone our pupils and staff can turn to," the organisation lauded him.
The teacher has a compounded career experience of 40 years and 21 years as its deputy head of pastoral and head of boarding.
