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Maxime Lessard with two Kenyan teachers
Even though I was anticipating my upcoming summer holidays, deep down I realized that I was looking for a new adventure, new challenges and a new life experience that would take me out of my comfort zone, so when the opportunity arose to volunteer in Kenya, I was extremely excited. The idea of living in a new culture, sharing thoughts about education and helping a community in need was overwhelming. And so was the reality.
And so I went to Salabwek, Kenya, a rural community in the south of the country, near the Tanzanian border, where I had the experience of a lifetime and gained a completely different perspective on the importance of education. I suddenly realized that education is not only a right but also a source of empowerment and development that we can offer to our children. In the Kenyan education system, as in Canada, they are concerned with healthier lifestyle, gender equality, social justice, coexistence with different tribes and access to water. With these needs in mind, I discussed with the Kenyan teachers different strategies that we use in Canada to ensure that no student is left behind, and I felt that my knowledge and presence were appreciated. The Salabwek community still has to deal with such problems as a lack of resources and difficulties with time management. I believe that the development of the community resides in its members’ involvement and the emphasis they put on education. However, there are still a lot of changes to be made to improve the Kenyan education system. As a Canadian teacher, I feel that this was as beneficial an experience for me as for the Kenyan teachers.
