6 Teachers Who Went Viral For Touching Lives Of Learners In Kenya

• Kenya is blessed with teachers who go beyond the call of duty to ensure that their students are comfortable
• Some use locally available materials for their work, while others create awareness and rope in members of the public to help
• Some of the teachers have won national and international accolades for their beautiful work for children

In the words of the late Turkish revolutionary Mustafa Kemarl Ataturk, a good teacher is like a candle; it consumes itself to light the way for others.

Kenya is blessed with many teachers who give their all in and out of the classrooms to see their pupils and students are comfortable in life and make it later in life. Below are some who have gone viral for touching the lives of their students.

1. Teacher Dominic Orina

A simple walk at Kugerwet Primary School in Bomet county will impress any visitor, what with the evidence of agriculture programs running in the school.

The agriculture programs are the brainchild of teacher Dominic Orina, who helps pupils grow different types of vegetables on the school farm and rear rabbits.

Apart from consuming the vegetables and letting the students take them home, Orina also uses the proceeds to buy uniforms for students from underprivileged backgrounds.

The teacher started the project after realising that much of Bomet county is dedicated to tea farms and that most places experience a scarcity of vegetables. The tutor at Kugerwet Primary School was recognised by the Teacher Service Commission (TSC) and UNESCO for his work.

"We are what we eat!It is important to eat good food in order to be healthy and fit! I am teaching young minds how to grow vegetables and fruits to equip them with knowledge and skills for a better future.teach them how to fish, not giving fish!" Orina told TUKO.co.ke.

2. Daniel Mutai

The first wheelchair that Mwalimu Daniel Mutai gave out was in 2007 when he was still a student in teaching practice.

From there, Mutai knew that he had been called for the noble work and for the last 15 years, he has worked tirelessly to see people with disabilities get mobility devices.

So far, he has facilitated KSh 8 million worth of mobility devices, such as wheelchairs and crutches, which have improved people's quality of lives.

3. Okubasu Malik

Teacher O'kubasu Malik, also known as The Rural Teacher, is famous for clothing drives, infrastructure improvements, and educational support, significantly benefiting Emukangu KAG Primary School in Kakamega and neighbouring schools.

Additionally, Malik has also been instrumental in helping to remove jiggers from students. The youthful teacher also tries to put himself in his students' shoes to raise awareness about their plights and help them.

4. Carolyne Kisuge

Caroline is widely known for her stellar work with kids who were born with conditions such as autism and cerebral palsy and also live with other kinds of disabilities. She is so dedicated to her work that she started a school in her native Migori county apart from being a teacher at Rise and Shine Special School in Kakamega County.

Joahan Rays Centre for Children with autism and cerebral palsy years ago is a non-academic institution where Kisuge and her team take care of the children and let them go back home when schools close. Kisuge started the institution to demystify myths around autism and cerebral palsy while giving love and care to the children.

The expert in Special Needs Education has also been very instrumental in taking kids to the right schools. In some instances, she also helps their parents. In a groundbreaking effort to raise awareness about autism in rural villages, Kisuge organised the region's first-ever pageant to create autism awareness.

5. Rosemary Bosibori Onyancha

Rosemary Bosibori Onyancha, a teacher at Moi Forces Academy Lanet, won the Africa Union Continental Teacher of the Year Award and received KSh 1.4 million for her work in technology and digital solutions at Moi Forces Academy Lanet school and neighbouring schools.

Onyancha beat 108 teachers from 54 countries for the award. The tutor said the award was an eye-opener and a reminder never to get tired of giving back to society.

6. Viola Barsulai

Viola Barsulai from Elgeyo Marakwet county is famous for providing new uniforms to underprivileged students, boosting their self-esteem and academic performance.

Shorkwei Barsulai's uniform programme has extended to neighbouring sub-counties; so far, over 80 children have benefited from it.

Students celebrate teacher with letter

Elsewhere, Viola Barsulai Shokwei could not contain her emotions when one of her former students wrote a composition about her on International Teachers' Day.

The student penned a lengthy article articulating her good deeds, which has endeared her to the learners.

Viola spoke to TUKO.co.ke about her love for teaching and the initiatives she runs at Kamarinyi Primary School in Elgeyo Marakwet.