Madame Anita, Secondary School Teacher
About a dozen teachers work at the Academy of Maisha Mazuri Senior Secondary School, and each has their own story. One of them is Madam Anita, 26 years old and at the Academy since September 2022. She has a moving biography, which begins with her mother becoming pregnant with Anita at the incredibly young age of 14. As a home economics teacher, Madam Anita not only teaches sewing, hygiene education, and everything related to nutrition, but she also teaches and works in the in-house bakery, which has been on the school grounds since autumn 2023.
We spoke with the dedicated teacher about her life, her teaching, and her passions.
How did you come to our school?
I read a job posting online on a platform for teachers, and I immediately liked the concept. It reminded me of so much from my childhood. So I packed my bags and left with my little daughter. That was, of course, a big step, moving so far away from my family. But it was the right decision. Besides theoretical subjects, the Academy also offers diverse practical subjects, which makes it unique. I really enjoy teaching here.
What does a typical workday look like for you?
The school is located a bit outside Nguluni, the town where I live with my three-year-old daughter. I am a single mother. In the mornings, a shuttle bus takes me to school. I am there from eight in the morning until 5 PM, but on many days, it’s 8 PM before I get home. Fortunately, I have a housemaid who supports me and often looks after my daughter.
Tell us about your school day:
In my subjects, all students from the first to the fourth grade of upper secondary school are often together. This is also the case in hygiene education. The children have fun cleaning, as I give them special tasks and try to turn individual challenges into a small competition. In the first grade, students first learn hand sewing, then the sewing machine comes into play. We have five machines at the school. As teachers, we also integrate a “talent search” into the lessons. This can be in sports, dancing, singing, or poetry. The children enjoy that. And then there’s the bakery.
We’ll get to the bakery later. First, we’d like to know more about you and your background.
I am the first of four children. My mother is only 14 years older than me. Because my mother was so young, my great-grandmother took care of me. However, only until 2010, until the fifth grade. After that, my great-grandmother made sure I went to a children’s home because my father was violent, and it became dangerous for me at home.
What is your relationship with your mother like today?
We have a very special relationship, a great bond. My mother isn’t much older than me. She lives more than 200 kilometers from here, towards Lake Victoria. That’s why we unfortunately see each other rarely, but when we do, it’s wonderful. My relationship with my siblings and the whole family is also very good.
Currently, my sister Nicole is here at the Academy of Maisha Mazuri, doing a three-month internship as a social worker. I am happy that the MCC gives her this opportunity.
What do you particularly like about the Secondary School?
The students at this school are more interested and open-minded than at other schools. I know the feeling of seeing school and education as a gift. In 2019, I myself graduated from college. My experiences are similar to those of many MCC students. It is very valuable that there is more here than just theoretical lessons. You learn a lot of practical skills for life. This gives you the chance to become an independent young adult. Independence is particularly important for us women.
How did you experience that personally?
Through my school and boarding school years, I gained enough energy and self-confidence to absolutely want to study. After school, I sold rolls and donuts on the street to finance my studies. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have been enough financially, and I probably wouldn’t have made it. By the way, no one taught me how to bake bread back then.
Is that why the bakery is a passion project of yours? Tell us a bit about it.
In our bakery, students can learn a lot and also have a great time. Every school child spends about five school hours per week in the bakery. Phillip Wambua, a permanent baker, works with us on the team.
We produce 300 rolls daily, as well as pastries, cookies, bread, ciabatta, and donuts. The baked goods are delivered fresh to the Children’s Center, and we also supply ourselves at the Academy with the delicious baked goods. So, we all get our fill from our homemade baked goods.
Can you imagine expanding and turning it into a real business model?
Yes, in the future, in addition to self-sufficiency, we also want to supply our local shops in Nguluni with our baked goods. Unfortunately, due to Kenyan law, we are not allowed to sell our products in supermarkets. Our bakery has versatile benefits. The knowledge that students acquire can help them both with their nutrition science exams and in their future lives. Here in Kenya, knowing what ingredients are used and how food is made can be vital. We will soon get a new, larger oven. That is a dream for us and great advertising for our school.
Thank you for the insights you’ve given us, and all the best for the new school year, which is starting soon.