Kenyan Nelly Cheboi is CNN Hero of the Year!

Brilliant Nelly Cheboi, who quit her software job to create tech labs for Kenyan schoolkids with upcycled computers, is CNN's Hero of the Year.

Online voters selected her from among this year’s Top 10 CNN Heroes. The computer lab expert graciously received her award during a beautiful ceremony.

Nelly took to the stage with her mother whom she honoured in an emotional moment. The two hugged and cried.

Cheboi’s nonprofit, TechLit Africa, has provided thousands of students across rural Kenya with access to donated, upcycled computers — and the chance at a brighter future.

Cheboi accepted the award with her mother, who she said: “Worked really hard to educate us.” At the beginning of her acceptance speech, Cheboi and her mother sang a song onstage that she explained had a special meaning when she was growing up.

As CNN Hero of the Year, Cheboi will receive $100,000 to expand her work.

She and the other top 10 CNN Heroes honoured at Sunday’s gala all received a $10,000 cash award and, for the first time, additional grants, organizational training, and support from The Elevate Prize Foundation through a new collaboration with CNN Heroes.

Nelly will also be named an Elevate Prize winner, which comes with a $300,000 grant and additional support worth $200,000 for her nonprofit.