A Teacher’s Journey, Rooted in Kenya’s Heart
I was born at Githumu Mission Hospital in rural Murang’a County, a historic site with ties to the African Christian Churches, deeply cherished among the tea-growing zones of Murang’a and Kiambu. Named after my maternal grandfather, Robert Rukwaro Gathura, who lived to be 102, I come from a lineage known for its resilience and strength; my maternal grandmother lived to 114. My family’s move from Nairobi to the village in the 1990s defined my roots. Our tea farm, the backbone of my education, was where I learned responsibility, tilling land and tending to animals—a lifestyle that connected me deeply with my family, my village, and a simpler, richer way of life.
My early education started at Kanunga Nursery and Primary School, with a brief time at Thika Dam Site Academy. Growing up between Kanunga and Kiambu villages, I experienced both rural closeness and academic ambition. Teaching high school in Kenya has been an enriching chapter; it has taught me to stay young at heart, mentoring students who may only have these four years of schooling. I’ve tried to offer more than academics, sparking curiosity about the wider world through literature and fostering growth in ways that extend beyond the classroom.
To this day, I hope my students carry forward a broader worldview. Whether they’re overseas, building businesses, or supporting families back home, I like to think of them as my enduring community—a global village of former students who owe me lunch and perhaps, share a memory or two. This is the lasting impact of teaching, and I’m proud to have shared in their journeys, knowing that the influence of a good teacher runs deep.
