Scott's Blog, Wed 5/27/09

After two days of working at the Ikumbo Secondary School, we have seen many amazing things; but above all, the theme of community has been sung the loudest.

Four years ago, the village of Ikumbo banded together to form the Ikumbo Secondary School, allowing students graduating from Standard 8 (8th grade) to continue their education. The community not only initiated this scholastic endeavor, but they continue to invest countless resources in sustaining it. Let us turn to our Principal as an example.

Mr. Mugambi is a strong, affable man who commands respect and wears a smile that rarely leaves. He grew up in the village of Ikumbo, and as a child, attended the Primary School no more than a soccer field away from the high school he now presides over. Mr. Mugambi is stern with his students as he preaches the importance of their studies, yet each word conveys his total and complete investment in the journey of every Ikumbo pupil.

As the students look to their principal, they see a role model - Mr. Mugambi is one of them. He grew up in this village, worked diligently in school, attained higher education, and now returns to the same community that nurtured and unequivocally supported him. He is an exemplar to the students and serves as living proof that hard work in school translates to success outside of Ikumbo.

The school’s inaugural class is gearing up to take their pre-university exams in October. Will all of the Form IV’s (12th graders) make it to higher education? Only time will tell, but one surety is that their high school experience has helped them mature and grow into young adults. Moreover, they have been afforded a world-class role model in their principal, mentor, and friend, Mr. Mugambi - a man who exemplifies the community oriented spirit of the small, glowing village we are all a part of.