ATLANTA -- A metro Atlanta father is getting the chance to live a normal life after receiving a special gift from his child’s principal.

Charles Barkie's kidneys were only performing at 10 percent. The father of four found out he had a genetic disorder and needed to find a kidney donor to continue living.

“I went in for a normal checkup, hadn't been feeling my best, and to my surprise, I was diagnosed with acute kidney failure, already in stage 5,” Barkie said.

Rick Swygman, the executive director of Pinecrest Academy, and the families had become friends through their daughters.

“I pulled out my Red Cross card and saw that I was a match,” Swygman said.

“It was a no-brainer all the way through, because it was so clear. We kept hearing, ‘This is a perfect match, you're the ideal donor,’” Barkie said.

A week and a half ago, after months of testing and preparation, the two men went to Emory University Hospital, where Swygman gave his kidney to Barkie.

“I feel 100 percent better,” Barkie said.

The two men had contests while recovering in the hospital, including a race to see who could eat solid foods first.

The men said they’ll remain friends forever, bonded by this powerful experience.

“You're just hit with this kind of this powerful feeling of joy that you did something and he's doing well,” Swygman said.

“He's given me a great gift of life and I think it's my duty and my challenge to keep giving that gift,” Barkie said.

As part of that giving, Barkie is participating in a clinical trial at Emory, which is testing new drugs for future transplant patients.