“I CALL IT SERVICE!”- By Stephanie M. Khaguli

Wednesday, 5^th February,2014.5.32 a.m…

My mother wakes up to the sound of me making a quick breakfast out of leftovers from last night’s supper. She’s holding up an umbrella, her weapon of choice against what she thought was the neighbourhood stray cat that always finds a way into the house after we’ve had fish for supper. She breathes a deep sigh of relief, obviously glad she didn’t have to go up against ‘ninja cat’ again.

Instead, she’s met by a fully dressed Steph, ready to set off for an early day at work. Clearly she’s not buying this, she knows all too well the many struggles her teenage daughter faces trying to get out of bed before daylight. But, she decides to take her chances on this one, seeing as to how I am dressed officially and carrying my trusty backpack filled with all sorts of teaching paraphernalia. Now, knowing me, this dress code would only see the light of day for work purposes only, so her ideas of any dubious plans are quickly averted. Still, the sight of me out of bed that early is one to behold, and as I quickly bid her goodbye, there is only enough time for me to see her smile, shake her head and say, “You’ve finally lost it.”

The morning breeze is cold when I step out of the house, and I never did realise how dark it looks at 5.45, but brushing off second thoughts about going back to bed, I start off with a brisk walk to Kawangware Primary School, ready to launch an all out attack on a tall stack of inshas that await me. Thirty-minutes-and-one-fearful-matatu-ride-with-a-drowsy-conductor later, I arrive at my destination. Walking in I see lights and hear sounds of activity in some classrooms, and remember what drove me to get here in the first place. Those kids were counting on me to get those inshas marked, and while I had the comfortable choice of sleeping in till seven, a lot of those kids had to get up at ungodly hours to get to school. For some, it was to escape the chaos at home, for others it was the only place they could go to to actually be themselves, to be recognised and acknowledged for a good job done. And so, refreshed by that thought, I reach forward to open the staffroom door and begin the day’s tasks….Oh great, it’s locked!

I pace around the administration block for about fifteen minutes waiting for the caretaker. The class prefects are in charge of their own class keys, but the other rooms are under the caretaker’s jurisdiction. My patience is quickly growing thin as I recall how he assured me the previous day that he always opens the staff room by six, all proud and happy with himself. Then there he strolled into the school compound, rubbing his eyes. On seeing me he smiles sheepishly and says, “Gai! Yaani ushafika! Ata sikudhani ungemake. Aki ka-usingizi kalikuwa katamu!  Pole!”…. The man is lucky I’m a Christian.

A few minutes later I am joined by my fellow teacher’s assistants, and I am happy to see that they stayed true to our pact to get to school early today to finish a heap of work. We tear away at our inshas and compositions, correcting each grammatical error, giving personalised advice and assigning carefully calculated grades . Compound this with lessons to be taught and a talk on inshas to be given, and at the end of the day you have some pretty wiped out teacher’s assistants.

Wednesday, 5^th February, 2014. 6.40 p.m.

We’re leaving school, and I could easily compare our mental exhaustion to an editor who has had to physically read through the entire Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary looking for typing errors…twice! But do we regret it? Not one bit! The simple fact that we got the job done and were able to help those kids, whose work was often given only a cursory glance to save on time but not save their grades, was satisfactory enough. And, believe it or not, that too was enough to give us the energy to do it all again the following week. Call us crazy, I call it service!

Essie's Group- St. Catherine Volunteers

A picture is worth a thousand words. Our talented volunteers sing, play the piano and share their stories as they serve in this school in Nairobi.

Re-educating our Leadership through Liberal Arts

Re-educating our Leadership through Liberal Arts

Patrick Awuah, founder of Ashesi University, argues for a whole new process of streamlining our leaders by educating them to serve. What do you think? Do you agree?

How can we best prepare the future leaders of our nations?



Like us? Visit our PACE Facebook Page and join the conversation about Youth in Service in Kenya.

Unique Birthday Gift Makes a Difference

Friends competing during the 2013 Amayzing Race

For her birthday in 2013, Ms. Carole Theuri asked for a unique gift from her friends and family. Instead of the traditional presents, she invited her friends to give in a creative manner.  Carole initiated a challenge called: “The Amayzing Race,” where her friends would work in teams to compete against each other in overcoming various obstacles.  All together, the event raised Ksh. 100,000, which Carole donated to PACE last year to support the transport needs of the volunteers.

On January 14^th, 2014, Carole visited Uhuru Primary and North Highridge, two schools served by PACE volunteers in Nairobi.

At Uhuru Primary, Carole interacted with the teachers and students after meeting the principal, Mr. Lusimbo. He reported that the volunteers had helped fill gaps within their teaching capacity. He also mentioned that the reading clubs initiated by PACE and Newspapers in Education had improved their students’ reading comprehension. He was encouraged by the PACE team’s new strategy to target the ABCs (Absence, Behavior Change and Coursework) in order to improve the students’ learning.

Ms. Carole Theuri(left) poses will Mr. Lusimbo, Headmaster of  Uhuru Estate Primary School and PACE Founder, Peggy Mativo (left)

Later in the day, the team visited North Highridge Primary where she met with Mrs. Monicah Muchiri and Mrs. Margaret (the new headteacher). In addition to the PACE volunteers, this school received furniture and paint donation from the area MP through the Tim Wanyonyi Foundation in 2013.

Carole and the team toured the school as the new volunteers underwent a school orientation session.

Carole Theuri, Kimberly Molo and Mrs. Muchiri addressing Class 6 students

In the recently released national examination results, North Highridge Primary posted a mean score increase of 24 points from 226 points in 2012 to 250 points in 2013.  They look forward to even better performance in the coming year.

Class 6 students in North Highridge participate in activity led by the visitors

The North Highridge teachers commended the PACE volunteers on their outstanding performance, having played a big role in strengthening the academic performance. Mrs, Muchiri said: “I have no words to express my gratitude for the work that PACE has done for us.”

Ms. Carole Theuri(@noni_ct) is a Kenyan intellectual property lawyer. 

To learn more about PACE and our work, please visit our website or contact pmativo(at)pacekenya.or.ke

What I learnt in PACE

I joined PACE to say “Thank you” to my school community
The main reason I chose to join PACE was to give back to my community and the school that formed and informed me. I wanted to say thank you in a way that felt meaningful. When the chance came to join PACE, I couldn’t let it pass.

I knew I could help
I aimed to inspire and educate the young pupils from my former school, to show them that it was possible to achieve what they wanted in life, to help them dream and believe in their dreams. I wanted to help them achieve their dream of passing the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education examinations by assisting in any way I could. I chose to assist in teaching mathematics, not because it was my passion, but because many pupils faced difficulties in this subject- and I knew I could help.

I am a better person now
 I have grown immensely during the program. My level of confidence has also increased.  I can confidently say that I am a better person than I was three months ago. The thing about teaching is that you have to develop patience-to teach each and every student and ensure that they have understood. While I know that some students understand faster than others, I have learnt that with patience and creative, you can teach anyone anything. The program also trained us on relevant subjects such as job interviews and human relations- PACE did not forget about our personal lives.

What is PACE?

PACE is a God-sent programme that seeks to inspire and educate the pupils that a facing the challenge of inadequate teachers. The joy that one gets after seeing the impact they have made on the pupils is priceless and the feeling is great. The program is both beneficial to the teaching assistant and the pupils. I wish nothing more for the organisation but to grow strong and continue touching lives, inspiring and teaching.

A great eye-opener

The experience was one of the greatest eye-openers in my life. I learned that when I inspired the pupils, they would inspire me back and gave me hope. It is true that a sharp blade sharpens the other. PACE has given a new purpose to my knowledge: now I can share it and help others.

(Betty Maeda)

Betty Maeda is one of the 70+ volunteers who have participated in the PACE program.

Join PACE...Volunteer with us. Make the difference.

Did you recently finish form 4? Are you passionate about making a difference? Helping students learn better? Join PACE for an opportunity to be the change that you want to see. Here’s how you can connect with us: 
Watch a video and hear from our volunteers:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdwcpjN6N3c&feature=youtu.be 

Apply: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dDNwaEtSQ1pVRHV4Rm5aVGQwcUxIZGc6MA#gid=0
(Application also available in hard copy at the PACE office in Agip Hse- call 0708 219 000 to arrange pickup)

Visit our Facebook page and stay updated:https://www.facebook.com/PacePromotingAccessToCommunityEducationKenya

“Are our Children Learning?” The Blue Pill on Kenyan Education

  “Are our Children Learning?” The Blue Pill on Kenyan Education

“You take the blue pill, the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill, you stay in Wonderland, and I show you how deep the rabbit hole goes.”- Morpheus

To some, the Uwezo Kenya findings are little more than another damning office report written by people who do not teach. However, such distinct disparities between our imagined ideal and educational realities are springing up that we cannot afford to ignore them. Let’s take a second look at this report, and use it to improve what we give our children as education.

What exactly did the report find?
-11% of class eight children cannot do class two level division work.

-50% Classes Four and Five children can’t comprehend stories written for class two pupils.

-Teacher absenteeism is still high as in a day an average of 10% of the teachers are not in school with Narok leading with 21% and Nairobi coming second with 17%
-The average number of pupils in classes one to eight is 64, which is higher than the 40 recommended by the Ministry of Education.

-Private schools do more teaching and offer better learning than public schools

-Children in public schools also continue to lack basic facilities, including toilets, clean drinking water and sanitary towels, with only four out of 10 schools providing sanitary towels to the young ladies.

(Please read more from this report on: www.uwezo.net)

Basically, according to this report, the majority of our school going children is not getting basic literacy and numeracy competencies at the right age, in the right classes.

Where do you come in?

“Knowledge is Power” is what we are often told. However, the seed of knowledge does not magically germinate into some super-power tree. It has to be planted within the right environment and watered with hard work. Knowledge becomes power only when you leverage it to change the situation.
In the Matrix (1999), one of my favorite movies, Neo faced a similar choice: to take the blue pill and continue living in a make-believe world designed to imprison him, or to take the red pill and try change the world.  He chose to act against the mediocrity.
In Kenya- our blue pill is inaction. We can choose to live with a status quo where our schools are suffering. We can choose to believe that because we are powerless, or we have better things to do, we should leave all the work of saving the situation to policy makers and teachers. However, is this all we can and should do?

What would it take to help?

To help the students who are lagging behind, we need courageous, selfless people who will take the red pill. A red pill-taker will volunteer to tutor the kids, and work one-on-one with them till their grades improve. A red pill volunteer will step in to cover for teachers’ absences, and a red pill school will hold teachers accountable for every hour of learning they waste with their absence. A red pill volunteer can help grade class work, homework and share classroom responsibilities with the teacher. The red pill, simply put, is a choice to help.

What will happen when I choose the red pill?

You will meet and work with other passionate, driven young people who are committed to making a difference in the education sector. You will have fun, and grow a vibrant, enriching environment. You will learn how to share life and wisdom with young students in schools in rural and slum areas. You will have the satisfaction of having made a difference. Are you ready to join PACE and take the red pill? https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dDNwaEtSQ1pVRHV4Rm5aVGQwcUxIZGc6MA#gid=0

Learn more about us:
http://www.pacekenya.or.ke/ or our blog: http://pacemakingadifference.blogspot.com/

Chris' Story

Chris  having fun with students from North Highridge Primary

When my friend Peggy, the fearless leader and founder of PACE, invited me to come to Kenya, I was elated. I almost immediately said yes but thoughts of my undergraduate thesis made me hesitate. I let some time fly by until Peggy contacted me again and asked me for a reply and this time I had ready an emphatic YES! Over the month of January, Peggy provided me with the grounds to do all the touristy things in Kenya like go on a safari and drink lots of Kenyan tea, but most importantly she also opened up to me the world of PACE.

I must admit that my first day at North Highridge Primary School was filled with ups and downs. The welcoming atmosphere at the school made me feel secure in my volunteering. I was impressed by the vigour of the students and their willingness to learn. All the children were well behaved and provided much joy when they would call me by name and answer my questions. On the converse, I was very nervous about the world I had just entered. The children had more enthusiasm for learning than I had ever known beforehand. In my home state of Michigan in the center of the United States, most children don’t come to school super excited to learn day after day for one reason or another, and the overwhelming fear that I couldn’t promote more excitement for learning than the children had already enveloped me. After all, isn’t an educator’s job to leave the pupils more excited about a subject after a lesson than they were before?

So, I took a night to think over my day. My eureka moment hit me when I thought back to all the volunteering I had done in the past. My memories comforted me as I remembered the students’ eyes when I spoke to them. I suddenly realized that my doubts about myself served no purpose in their world. All I had to do was impart the knowledge I had gained from those wiser than me and everything would work out. I simply needed to stand before the students, guide their thoughts to completion, and absorb the positive energy from their grins. I’m glad I came to that conclusion early on in my stay!

The students’ positivity and zest for learning only made me a stronger educator than before. I honestly believe I gained more from the students than they did from me. I gained acceptance from my students on two fronts: as a foreigner and as a new educating presence in their classroom. I am proud to have contributed three weeks of my life to PACE. I learnt a lot about educating the youth in Kenya and I made some new friends along the way. Thank you, PACE!
(Chris, USA)

Meet Pauline..

Pauline Muthoni holds a  Bachelor of Commerce and Business Administration (Marketing) from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology . She also holds a diploma in Purchasing and Supplies Management from Graffins College and is a member of The Kenya Institute of Supplies Management. Pauline has worked in the service industry and also in FMCG at operations and management levels and  uses her background and networks from the corporate sector to build the capacity of women and youth. A firm believer in continuous personal development, Pauline actively seeks opportunities for growth for herself and those around her. She currently mentors at Akili Dada and is herself being mentored through the Cherie Blair Foundation for women. She serves  as Director of  Development and Mentoring   at PACE

Introduction to Uhuru Primary School, Buruburu on Wed 12th June 2013

Together, we can make a difference 

I looked forward to this introduction to Uhuru Primary School. This was no ordinary school visit for me because I knew that Uhuru Primary would most probably be the school where I would end up serving as a TA.

At Uhuru Primary:

After meeting up with the other members of the PACE team in town, we travelled to the school. I must admit that I was somewhat anxious about the experience we (I) would have – what would be the students’ reception and attitude towards the whole thing? To make matters worse, there was a unanimous vote (which is very common with the PACE team, haha) to have me lead the visiting team in the classroom activity.

In class:

The students were more disciplined than the teacher, MR Luso, gave them credit for. The whole class was attentive and very cooperative. We did not struggle to get answers for our questions or questions from our lesson. I was surprised by how fast the forty minutes flew. Had the bell not rang; we would have extended our session up to lunch time.

Lesson learnt:

Well, this is more of a reminder: Fears are overcome by confronting them, rather than by avoiding them.

I look forward to being back at Uhuru primary, to stay. I thank God.

After Uhuru Primary:

The visit to Strong Bright Preparatory school was a good one too. I was challenged to rethink; how far out of my comfort zone I am willing to go for the sake of others.

As we left this school, a couple of ideas were raised on how PACE can contribute to the school’s welfare.

I may have no money... but I have an education.

A better tomorrow, A better Kenya through Education

With the introduction of Free Primary Education, there has been a flux in the number of children enrolling in the public schools. This shows that people are eager and willing to take up education. The children have a hunger for knowledge and a thirst for learning. The increase in student intake in schools was however not coupled by an increase in teachers.

This has left the public school education sector in peril. The ratio of students to teachers in some public schools is outrageous and way above the normal or required standard rate for a teacher to handle. This means that children are going to school but not learning. They are thus being graduated from one class to the next without much benefit from the latter class. They are hence passengers on the education tour bus on a joy ride.

PACE is giving an opportunity to reach out to these young souls and help by increasing the manpower in public schools. This will enable students to get a good education and thus forge a future for them. As Kenya is still a developing country, there is much emphasis on education, rather than talent, being the key to a successful life.

I would like to join PACE because I know the importance of education to each and everyone’s life. I would thus like to take part in this beautiful initiative to help a young one realize their full potential and therein, their own dreams and ambitions.

In the Bible, we are told of an occurrence at the Temple’s Beautiful Gate where Peter and John came across a lame, crippled man. The man asked them for some silver and gold. They said they had none, but what they did have was God’s anointing through the Holy Spirit. This is what they gave to the man to enable him to walk. In my case, I may have no money, but what I do have is an education. I would like to give this out to young students with an appetite for education.

There is a never-ending question in many people’s minds as to how we can build Kenya. PACE is providing that platform to the youth. Through education, we can bring change to the country. An educated person will not be swayed by the meager thoughts of unqualified people. An educated person will know how to elect a just leader. An educated person will know how best to tackle the situations affecting the everyday-working mwananchi. An educated person will form an educated government that will know what is best for the country and understand the ripples caused by its decisions. How then can we have an educated people if the basic elementary education is not being passed on to the future generations at the right quality? How can we have an educated people if each student does not receive the opportunity and attention to meet their particular need?

I would like to volunteer with PACE to help our country achieve this dream, and make a better tomorrow and a better Kenya. 

This is your life... (Holstee Manifesto)

Life is what you make it...

“This is your life. Do what you want and do it often. 
If you don't like something, change it. 
If you don't like your job, quit.
If you don't have enough time, stop watching TV.
If you are looking for the love of your life, stop; they will be waiting for you when you start doing things you love.
Stop over-analysing, life is simple.
All emotions are beautiful.
When you eat, appreciate every last bite.
Life is simple.
Open your heart, mind and arms to new things and people, we are united in our differences.
Ask the next person you see what their passion is and share your inspiring dream with them.
Travel often; getting lost will help you find yourself.
Some opportunities only come once, seize them.
Life is about the people you meet and the things you create with them, so go out and start creating.
Life is short, live your dream and wear your passion.” 

Why did I volunteer with PACE? (Olivia's story)

My interest in volunteering with PACE is based on a real life experience. I once schooled in a public school in my area. We were so many students in a class(about sixty or so) and the teachers were not able to give us the attention we required. Some teachers would not attend school, probably because they felt overworked or they were not in school and so we would go a week without learning.
My parents managed to transfer me to a private school, but about the other fifty plus students...what happened to them? Everyday I ask myself what value I have added to society and if life is worth living without bringing joy to another soul. Today, education is very important: to live a good life, one has to be educated.
Every child in Kenya should acquire quality education. Sometimes, this does not happen. Some are more disadvantaged than others. I believe that by offering voluntary services, I will make a big difference in a child's life. This will give him/her the hope and courage to face whatever is ahead of him in life without feeling less of a person than someone else. This is why I'm interested in participating in the PACE Volunteer Program.- Olivia, Volunteer( Season 1)

Welcoming Sharon Kivuti to Team PACE

We're so thrilled to have Sharon Kivuti join our awesome team of changemakers. Here's more about her:

Sharon, a Program Officer at PACEMAKER INTERNATIONAL, holds a diploma in Business Information Technology. She is currently pursuing a degree on the same, at the Kenya Methodist University. She is pleasant, self-driven and zealous about working with the youth to maximize their potential. Previously, she worked with Students Campaign Against Drugs (SCAD), Youth Agenda (YA), Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) as a Program Assistant. While in France, she worked and lived with youth volunteers from different continents of the world in the Communaute de Taize Program. She loves to network, mobilize and coordinate youth activities. During her free time, Sharon enjoys reading the word of God, socializing, travelling, making new discoveries and shopping.

SOLUTIONS CHALLENGE: What action would you use to help?

Challenges in Teaching English in some of our schools:

1)      Textbooks are insufficient

2)      Language barrier: use of mother-tongue and sheng prevalent in school

3)      Lack of parental reinforcement- no one at home encourages students to speak in English

4)      Reading culture is inexistent

5)      Shortage of teachers

6)      Teachers tend to concentrate more on written exercises than in oral ones.

7)      Spelling and diction often go ignored

8)      Workload: teacher are unable to give enough composition assignments because they can’t finish grading on time

9)      Direct translation is part of the linguistic culture in the school

10)   Non-readers(children) are moving up from lower school to upper primary school without having mastered the sounds

11)   Teachers tend to ignore weak performing students as they focus on raising the mean

12)   Pupils are admitted throughout the year

13)   Missing language skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing.

14)   Lack of adequate preparation to deal with workload and life stresses

15)   Teachers use a lot of theory rather than making the subject practical. Vary the teaching methods: use flashcards, dramatisation,  poems, songs etc

16)   Teachers blindly following the syllabus rather than analysing it to get the content needed for each class

17)   Parents avoiding to take their children to nursery school to avoid payments. Due to FPE, these parents still seek standard one admission

What solutions do you propose? 

Eight Beatitudes of a Teacher (Part 2)

·         Blessed is the teacher who practices tolerance, for the child shall learn patience

·         Blessed is the teacher who practices honesty, for he will win his pupils’ confidence

·         Blessed is the dedicated teacher, for his work will be revealed at a later age of the child

·         Happy is the teacher who can afford a smile, for he shall put a smile on the face of his pupils

·         Blessed is the teacher who is kind, for the pupils will imitate him

·         Blessed is the teacher who is fair, for the children will learn justice

·         Blessed is the teacher who loves, for he will be loved

·         Blessed is the teacher who is thorough with his lesson planning, for he will achieve his aim.