In September, I wrote about our friend Emmanuel the school teacher; about his life and his ambitions. We used the opportunity to fundraise so he can complete a two year primary teaching qualification. This will enable him to earn a better salary as a qualified teacher and support his family.
Our aim was to raise KSH234,500 – around £1,800 – divided into money for the course and money for his family (to make up for his lost earnings). Emmanuel applied to his local church for assistance, and the ‘Men at Work’ group agreed, at the last minute, to sponsor 75% of his first year fees. This means we need to raise KSH191,875 – or £1,475. We have so far raised £1330, so only need to raise a further £145. Please email reyindia@hotmail.com if you’d still like to donate!
Emmanuel started school in September, and the first year’s fees and other expenses are now paid. We see him every month, as he comes to say hello and to collect the maintenance grant for his family. Thanks so much to all of you who donated, enabling this to happen; it is really appreciated by us, and more importantly, by Emmanuel. In his own words…
I greet you in Jesus name, this is Emmanuel Mutiso. Let me begin by saying a very big thank you for responding to my request. May the Lord abundantly bless you indeed.
I have enrolled for my Teacher Training Course at the International Teaching and Training College, pursuing a Primary Teachers Certificate. On the first day, after meeting the Principle, he took me to the Bursar, who loaded my name into the computer, and then I became a full student of the school. From there, I was taken to the dorm and given a bed and I took my things there. Because I started a little late, that first evening I began writing notes and acquainting myself with what the other students had already been studying. I got hold of the pamphlet for Theory of Social Ethics and read this a bit. In the morning, I started my actual classes.
The structure of the two year course involves six semesters (three a year). This semester we are the students and next semester we are the teachers, or at least doing teaching practice. Then it’s back to the classroom for the third semester, teaching practice for the fourth, and so on. At the end we will take the Kenya National Exam for Primary Teachers, although there are other smaller exams at the end of the semesters. We are just finishing the first semester, and have started our first set of exams, and then we will go out to the schools we have been selected to go to. After coming back from the December holiday, we will arrange the lesson plans, then we will go to the schools and begin the teaching practice.
When I first came to the college in September, I felt so happy, I felt encouraged, I felt like I was moving on somewhere. After I finish, I desire to pursue a degree in the same career, for I am passionate about it. The Primary Teachers Training Course will take only two years after which I desire to advance to Kenyatta University or Nairobi University or Moi University and pursue a degree in teaching Biology and Chemistry at Secondary School.
But when I started, I was worried a little bit because of the situation of my family at home – because I had to leave work, and my brother was still in school. That was my point of worry – how they were going to meet their daily needs.
But at home now, mum is fine and our last born brother Peter has just cleared Form Four (Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education – KCSE). His results will be out next year in the last week of February. We do pray that all shall be well. May God bless you and keep you, may He course His face to shine upon you. I hope to hear from you soon.
Yours faithfully,
Emmanuel Mutiso.
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