Anthony Omari has been widely praised online after details resurfaced about how he reportedly fought off six m@chete-wielding intruders to protect dozens of sleeping children at the Faraja Children’s Home in Ngong, Kenya.
According to the story, the incident occurred when Omari, who was 24 at the time, woke up to find armed thieves inside the orphanage, which housed 37 children under the care of himself and Martha Bosire.
Reports say it was the fourth break-in at the facility that month, prompting him to keep a hammer beneath his bed for protection. He allegedly confronted the att@ckers and forced them outside before one of them struck him in the face with a machete as he attempted to secure the building and calm the frightened children.
Despite suffering a severe facial injury that required 11 stitches, Omari reportedly managed to lock the front door before collapsing. He was discharged from hospital two days later and returned to the orphanage because he did not want the children left unprotected.
The story later gained global attention after a student reportedly shared it on Reddit seeking assistance for the orphanage. Thousands of donors from around the world eventually contributed more than $80,000, funds which were used to improve security, provide beds for the children, and support other essential needs.
Anthony Omari later went on to earn a degree in civil engineering, establish his own construction company, and continues to maintain ties with the children at the orphanage.