Life As A Teacher On The Shores Of Kenya

Kennedy, a Kenyan student, joined GVI under our National Scholarship Programme:

"Coming from Nairobi, the captial of Kenya, a busy cosmopolitan city, and being used the risky and fast lane of life, I wasn't quite sure what to exect from this rare opportunity I had seized of being one of the Kenyan nationals sponsored by GVI to join their expedition in Kenya. Being a student in Nairobi, studying Environmental Studies and Community Development, I have covered much theory relating to the expedition's activities and was looking forward to putting all I ahd learnt in class in to practice and getting more exposure.

On GVI's Community Development Programme in Mkwiro, we had a good start with the training in teaching techniques and eased ourselve in to Mkwiro Primary School with a painting session; I got in touch with my artistic side, as we did some awesome painting in the nursery classrooms with my fellow volunteers who are exceptionally good artists! The nursery pupils are now more than happy to learn in a newly colourful class, decorated with the handprints of all the volunteers!

The next morning was one of my best moments in my life, I have to admit... I was to lead the pupils in standard 8 (the highest class in the school) for their English lesson and my topic for the day was a debate with the heading 'Was British rule good for Kenya?'. Quite a hot topic having in mind most people from outside cities still tend to be opposed to colonialism, and that more than half my teaching colleagues were are from Britain!

I was a little nervous at the beginning, but settled down with time and with my little experience in public speaking I was ready to lead the class. We were lead to the classroom by Adam, GVI's community officer with ample exerience of teaching in many countries around the world, and after a few directions on how to lead the lesson, I was good to go.

It was the best thing ever taking those pupils and leading their class, seeing them so passionate about the topic, even though they weren't able to write the essay I had planned for them. But hey! I had just taught standard 8 and helped improve their knowledge of English, which was a really humbling experience for me... I wouldn't mind doing it again while I'm here.

Much appreciation to all my colleagues who helped tutoring and to Adam, for giving me the chance and trusting me to lead the highest class in the school, I am truly humbled."

Life As A Teacher On The Shores Of Kenya