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