The Alberta Teachers’ Association

A KISARUNI STUDENT GIVES A TOUR TO MEMBERS
OF THE ALBERTA TEACHERS’ASSOCIATION.

In July 2013, I participated in a joint program between the Alberta Teachers’ Association and Me to We, a social enterprise that offers socially conscious products and experiences. (www.metowe.com). Along with seven other teachers, I travelled to Kenya. As teachers know, you can plan for everything but everything can change. Our original idea was to work with elementary school teachers, but a few days before departing, we learned that Kenya’s primary teachers were on strike. The change in plans saw us building projects at Free the Children’s Kisaruni All Girls Secondary School.

The students told us that education has changed their lives and gives them hope for the future. The girls shared their dreams of becoming lawyers, doctors, politicians and educators. Their hard work and determination were astounding. They woke at 4:30 am to get an early start on their studies (the time was actually a compromise with their education facilitators because the students actually wanted to wake up earlier!). The school’s facilitators have done an extraordinary job building a school community that encouraged respect, leadership, collaboration and active learning. At Kisaruni, I saw in action the philosophy and approach to education that schools in Alberta aspire to achieve. I’m certain that one day these students will lead their communities and country.

Betty Fu teaches junior high math and science in Edmonton.