Elimu

Elimu – Noun
Meaning: Education, Knowledge.

The Kenyan education system moved on from the British system to a Kenyan one in 1985. I was privileged to join kindergarten in 1990. It was a time when this system was gaining traction and teachers were passionate about teaching classes they believed were beneficial for the Kenyan children. The one thing that was not evident in these classes though, was empathy. Most children went to school because they got to learn something new, make new friends and play. I managed to escape most of the brutal punishments and caning in my first four years of primary school.

I was fortunate enough to have a good education foundation. I could read, comprehend and write which made it easy for me to do well in class and pass my exams.

My parents were big on empowering us to be confident and learn how to advocate for ourselves and so I was able to plead or reason my way out of the caning and punishments.

I had a safe place to call home. My parents and siblings created an environment for us to voice our feelings and also talk about our day.

Unfortunately for most of my friends, they did not have that and I never understood the trauma that came with the “lack of” until I lost my dad and my world fell apart. Suddenly I was going home to my mom, who in her own grief was unable to cope with all the responsibilities that now fell on her. I used everything my parents had taught me and relied on the little confidence I had left to get through primary school. I learned to survive.

This part of my story is what made me stay when I joined Oasis and saw that the education system was still the same if not worse. I asked God to use me to bring change and for Him to also bring people who would share in the education vision that focused on the child and helping them thrive by providing a safe place to come explore, learn and be loved.

Together with this team of Educators, we have been able to create that kind of environment across all our Oasis schools.

Faith

Faith is a very gentle and loving teacher with a passion for reading. You will find her at the Shelter library or her office preparing reading books, checking lesson plans and planning activities. She also has the most fun library activities.

She joined Oasis in 2018 as a teacher at the Valley and then the responsibility of tutoring children was hers. We later moved her to the Shelter School to be the Educator. Now she helps equip the teachers and makes sure that the children who are behind on their scores are caught up through tutoring.

Jane

Jane is the Educator at the Well School. We’ve known her since she was in high school. She always offered to volunteer with Oasis during break. When she graduated University, we offered her a job as an Educator at the Well. She had shown growth in her leadership skills and her desire to serve made it easy for us to transition her into that role.

You will sometimes find her at the Well library reading with children, handing out materials but most of the times will be outside taking time to talk to a child or an adult who needs her time. She smiles a lot, always happy, very passionate about learning and education.

Mercy

Mercy is our Educator at the Valley School. She is very passionate about seeing communities thrive. She understands the importance of educating generations and the impact this will have in eradicating poverty and challenges that hinder development. She may not be an education major but she has found her voice and passion in education. She is committed to making an impact on the Valley community one child at a time.

You will find her meeting with teachers, handing out reading books and making the most of the after-school tutoring program.

Faith values reading and believes that it allows you to travel and go places you never had a chance of visiting. She is determined to help any child that comes her way understand the power and freedom that comes with reading and knowledge of words.

Jane believes that every child deserves an adult who will love them, believe in them and invest in their education. She wants to give children the same opportunities that were awarded to her.

Mercy dreams of a day when communities in impoverished areas will embrace education and create an environment where children get a chance to learn. Where no child is forced to dropout of school in order to take over family responsibilities.

At Oasis, Site Educators are more than just teachers. They oversee the day-to-day running of the schools. They encourage, evaluate and work alongside the teachers, implement teacher training and evaluate pupils’ progress each term.

These three ladies give more than just their time. They have moved far from their families to come serve and they do it with all their heart. They do more than I ever imagined possible and because of their love, commitment and sacrifices, hundreds of children get a chance to learn, be loved and be part of a generation that will impact their communities, and be the change we need in Kenya and the world.

I am more than honored to serve with them. For their love and dedication, I will be running three miles in their honor!

Please join me in encouraging them and supporting Oasis by giving to my Chicago Marathon fundraiser. Any amount you give will go a long way in enabling them to impact children in Kenya. Thank you!

“Everyone who remembers his own education remembers teachers, not methods and techniques. The teacher is the heart of the educational system.“
– Sidney Hook