CNN Hero Estella Pyfrom <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2013%2F04%2F04%2Fus%2Fcnnheroes-pyfrom-brilliant-bus%2Findex.html">used her life savings</a> to create "Estella's Brilliant Bus," a mobile computer lab that provides tutoring for thousands of low-income students in Palm Beach County, Florida.
Bringing computers to kids in need —
CNN Hero Estella Pyfrom used her life savings to create "Estella's Brilliant Bus," a mobile computer lab that provides tutoring for thousands of low-income students in Palm Beach County, Florida.
Joe Raedle/Reportage by Getty Images for CNN
Working as a guidance counselor five years ago, Pyfrom noticed that fewer students had access to a computer after school. Without a computer at home, or reliable transportation to get to a computer, Pyfrom feared that many of these students would get left behind.
Bringing computers to kids in need —
Working as a guidance counselor five years ago, Pyfrom noticed that fewer students had access to a computer after school. Without a computer at home, or reliable transportation to get to a computer, Pyfrom feared that many of these students would get left behind.
Joe Raedle/Reportage by Getty Images for CNN
Pyfrom is determined to help poor children get the same educational opportunities as other children. According to the Institute of the Study of Labor, students who lack access to a home computer are less likely to graduate high school.
Bringing computers to kids in need —
Pyfrom is determined to help poor children get the same educational opportunities as other children. According to the Institute of the Study of Labor, students who lack access to a home computer are less likely to graduate high school.
Joe Raedle/Reportage by Getty Images for CNN
"The digital divide is absolutely real," Pyfrom said. "And it didn't just become a reality. It's been there for years, and it's getting bigger and more important."
Bringing computers to kids in need —
"The digital divide is absolutely real," Pyfrom said. "And it didn't just become a reality. It's been there for years, and it's getting bigger and more important."
Joe Raedle/Reportage by Getty Images for CNN
Pyfrom said her program serves children as young as 3.
Bringing computers to kids in need —
Pyfrom said her program serves children as young as 3.
Joe Raedle/Reportage by Getty Images for CNN
Pyfrom retired in 2009. "I'm not tired yet. And I don't think I'm going to get tired," she said. "I'm constantly charged up. I look at the faces of the children and I get energized."
Bringing computers to kids in need —
Pyfrom retired in 2009. "I'm not tired yet. And I don't think I'm going to get tired," she said. "I'm constantly charged up. I look at the faces of the children and I get energized."
Joe Raedle/Reportage by Getty Images for CNN
Pyfrom walks with children to the <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.estellasbrilliantbus.org%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Brilliant Bus</a>.
Bringing computers to kids in need —
Pyfrom walks with children to the Brilliant Bus.
Joe Raedle/Reportage by Getty Images for CNN
The rules on the bus are few and simple. Gum and Facebook are not allowed.
Bringing computers to kids in need —
The rules on the bus are few and simple. Gum and Facebook are not allowed.
Joe Raedle/Reportage by Getty Images for CNN
Pyfrom and her volunteers hold regular classes and tutoring sessions about four days a week. They offer lessons in computer and Internet basics as well as reading, math or science classes that supplement what children are learning in school.
Bringing computers to kids in need —
Pyfrom and her volunteers hold regular classes and tutoring sessions about four days a week. They offer lessons in computer and Internet basics as well as reading, math or science classes that supplement what children are learning in school.
Joe Raedle/Reportage by Getty Images for CNN
The custom-designed bus is outfitted with 17 computer stations that are connected to high-speed Internet via satellite.
Bringing computers to kids in need —
The custom-designed bus is outfitted with 17 computer stations that are connected to high-speed Internet via satellite.
Joe Raedle/Reportage by Getty Images for CNN
Pyfrom and her team provide about 8,000 hours of instruction to at least 500 children a year. She hopes the extra time will help bring students up to their grade level in reading, vocabulary, math, science and life skills.
Bringing computers to kids in need —
Pyfrom and her team provide about 8,000 hours of instruction to at least 500 children a year. She hopes the extra time will help bring students up to their grade level in reading, vocabulary, math, science and life skills.
Joe Raedle/Reportage by Getty Images for CNN
Pyfrom estimates she has enough savings to keep her bus running for another two years, but she hopes to find financial support before she runs out of money. "We've got to keep rolling," she said.
Bringing computers to kids in need —
Pyfrom estimates she has enough savings to keep her bus running for another two years, but she hopes to find financial support before she runs out of money. "We've got to keep rolling," she said.
Joe Raedle/Reportage by Getty Images for CNN