A Driving Force for Education

The call came to me on my cell…11pm…from my good friend Florence Namulundah. She was asking whether we had safely arrived in Bungoma and if we had connected with Father Christopher. Nothing unusual, except that Florence was calling from her home in New York City and there it was 4am.  Her heart was with us in Kenya.

Father Christopher Wanyonyi is one of the key driving forces for education in the Bungoma area of western Kenya. His passion to educate children is unparalleled. Besides the work he does in his parish, he supervises 14 schools and chairs five parish school boards. We first meet him at Christ the King PS, a dynamic place of learning for 1500 students. Here there is a waitlist to get in. He explains how when he was growing up, he was the only one of a large family to attend school. He vowed he would do something about it. In 2003 he told the Bishop what he wanted to do for children, many of whom were destitute and roaming the streets.

"I found children everywhere, opening my hands and heart for them. At first there were challenges facing me. I had no funds and not being from the elite class I started in a small way. After telling the Bishop that I wanted to start a school, he warned me that I should not but I kept pushing the matter. Finally he gave in, but was told I was on my own. 

“One might think that money is the major issue for running a school, but there is an endless list of problems in educating children. They need to be nurtured and cared for." 

We greeted the Standard 8 students who had just finished mock exams and were preparing for November's KCPE exam. The lowest mark was 357. That is superb by any Kenyan standard. After speeches, smiles, and promises to succeed they ran off to class for more learning. This was Saturday - here school is a six day exercise. What was abundantly clear was the pride Father Christopher had in his school and the students who were doing so well. 

Next stop…Father Westra Primary School. The joy that radiated from Father Westra students touched us all deeply. They all wanted to pass their exams and one day travel to Canada. The school had gone through hard times, with little funding for teachers, library, textbooks and storybooks for the young ones. Head Teacher Maurice Paul Makhanu had come out of retirement, and for the past three years had built the school from 12 to 180 students. "Many times people complain that life is unfair because things do not go the way they want to. But the future belongs to those who pursue it with passion," he said. 

Close by was Mount Carmel Girls SS. Principal Sister Tessy Pius and all the Form 4 KCSE candidates greeted us. How could they not be focused in an environment where signs like Faith, Hope, Love, and Integrity surrounded them by the walkways or were suspended on trees.

Lastly we visited St Peter Mwiruti SS where Augustine Tela, former Mayor of Bungoma and now Chairman of the school board proudly showed us around. “Excellence our Pride” the motto of this school created a sense of duty to student learning. Deputy Principal Everlyne Musonga began teaching in this school and after 12 years was promoted to her present position. She indicated, “future leaders in Kenya will come from our school.” 

Within this beautiful 20 acre site was a maize and sugar cane plantation and lots of room to expand. The school dormitories for 420 girls were new and now their next project was to replace the outdoor dining hall (see below) with a better facility.

Back to Father Christopher…he always praised and encouraged the students. Like a proud father, he stepped back and let the school officials take front stage. But all knew who was in charge. There was no doubt that his influence had raised the standard of education in Bungoma. A humble leader and a servant, his commitment is extraordinary. 

The CES Kenya team left Bungoma with the feeling that our friendship with Father Christopher was just beginning.