In the early 1980s he abandoned a career as a high school math teacher to strike it rich in Silicon Valley.

FORBES: Eat My Wake

Franco and Zimbardo cite the story of Jabar Gibson, who was hailed as a hero after he drove 70 people to safety from the flooding caused by Hurricane Katrina, commandeering an abandoned school bus.

CNN: What made London Samaritan so brave

As part of the creeping implementation of the peace deal, the UN do have a presence here, and they were helping provide water and security at a school where 160 child soldiers, apparently abandoned by the RUF the previous week, were being "demobilised" and looked after.

BBC: sierra keinbe

He abandoned his geology degree from Princeton University to attend the University of Michigan Law School.

FORBES: Odd Man In

Slum kids, all-but abandoned by their parents, not attending school, and gathering on the platform for mutual protection and excitement.

FORBES: Angel