Hope Centers
More Than a Classroom: Giving Teachers a Place to Fulfill Their Calling
Permanent classrooms did not create the calling. They simply gave teachers a better place to answer it.
“Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.”
Lessons Beneath the Acacia Tree
Teaching children at Kimelok has always required commitment. In the early days of Kimelok Christian School, teachers taught beneath an acacia tree, working around the hot sun, rain, wind, and dust while trying to keep young learners focused. There was no secure place to keep books and educational materials, lessons could be interrupted by changing weather, and every school day required patience, creativity, and sacrifice.
Yet the teachers continued because they believed the children of Kimelok deserved the opportunity to learn.
Teaching under the tree required a lot of sacrifice. Today, having proper classrooms gives us an environment where we can plan our lessons better, keep learning materials safely, and give every child the attention they deserve.
A Place to Prepare and Pour In
Today, permanent classrooms have changed much more than the physical environment. Teachers now have a place to prepare lessons, safely keep learning materials, organize their classrooms, and give individual learners the attention they need.
George, a Grade 2 teacher, remembers the difference clearly. Collins, a Grade 4 teacher, has noticed another change: “The children are excited to come to school, and we have seen a stronger commitment to learning. When the school environment is good, the children feel that education is important.”
The children are excited to come to school, and we have seen a stronger commitment to learning.
The Whole Child
For these teachers, however, success is about much more than examinations. Kimelok Christian School desires to develop the whole child—educationally, spiritually, emotionally, and socially. Every lesson in mathematics, English, or science is also an opportunity to build character, discover purpose, and help a child understand his or her God-given value.
“We are not only teaching children to pass examinations,” explains William, a Grade 3 teacher. “We want them to know that God loves them, that they have value, and that their lives can make a difference in their families and communities.”
We want them to know that God loves them, that they have value, and that their lives can make a difference in their families and communities.
Dignity for the Calling
The new classrooms have brought teachers dignity, confidence, motivation, and renewed energy for their calling. They no longer have to spend their days wondering if rain will stop a lesson or where materials can be safely stored. Instead, they can focus more fully on the children sitting in front of them.
Buildings alone cannot make a great school. It takes committed teachers who believe in their learners and faithfully pour into them each day. At Kimelok Christian School, the classrooms have simply given those teachers a better place to do what they have always desired to do—help children discover who God created them to become.
The classrooms have simply given those teachers a better place to do what they have always desired to do—help children discover who God created them to become.
About the Author
Mario Kuraki
Mario Kuraki lives in Nairobi, Kenya and works as a freelance writer for the BBC and local news outlets. He lends his interviewing and storytelling skills to Special Ministries / Helping Kenya Kids out of his strong belief in the results he is seeing from this ministry.
Pray With Us
For the teachers of Kimelok Christian School
Pray for the teachers at Kimelok Christian School who faithfully pour into their learners each day. Ask God to strengthen their calling, protect their hope, and give them every resource they need to help children discover who He created them to become.
