Change Lives through Quality Education in Kenya

Graduation Ceremony and Student Testimonials 

On October 23rd, Koinonia held its graduation ceremony. This year, 11 students graduated and are set to embark on their individual paths, including entering universities, vocational schools, and joining the military. From the testimonies shared during the ceremony, we would like to highlight the words of Maria, the former head of the girls' dormitory, and Francis, the former student council president.

Testimonial by M.N. 

“When I joined Koinonia, I had some challenges. I was not able to cope with the school lifestyle, and some of the things were difficult to adjust to. In my life, I never liked socializing with people—I only wanted a life where I could handle my things alone. But this was not the case in Koinonia, as we all lived as a family and embraced each other."

“Being a leader has been one of the last things I have ever liked. This was because I never believed in myself that I would be a leader. At first, when I was told that I was the dorm captain for the girls I could not believe it, I thought it was a joke. Thanks to the school department for entrusting me with the role of being a leader, I gained confidence, and I know how to treat people with different personalities.”

“To all students, I would like to encourage you to never give up on your studies but to keep pushing on since challenges will always be there in education.“

Testimonial by F.K

“I joined the school as a different person from the one graduating this year. I have grown in various aspects in the past 4 years at Koinonia. Through the opportunity that the school has given me to be the school captain, I have learned to face challenges that arise. I have built confidence to address people and gained the skills to delegate duties to others. I have understood that people’s needs are different and need to be attended to differently. I have learned to lead the way through serving others and not waiting to be served.”

“The greatest lesson that the Deputy Principal Mr. Mbithi taught me is to always have a positive attitude and mindset towards life. Now I can stand confidently and say `I Still Say Yes to Life`.”

“I encourage my fellow students to continue working hard. A person is only limited to what they think of themselves. I believe that you have given me the candle to go and light up the world.”

We Marched Through and Cleaned the Streets in Mai Mahiu and Naivasha on World Cleanup Day!

In 2017, Kenya banned the use, manufacture, and importation of plastic bags. However, the issues of littering and low recycling rates remain a challenge. In preparation for World Cleanup Day, students learned about global environmental challenges, are organic versus recyclable, identified types of materials that are organic versus recyclable, and reflected on our shared responsibility to manage the waste we produce.

On the day of the event, local businesses that share our values joined us in the march through the streets. The school's brass band led the procession, filling the event with lively and cheerful music, while the Girl Scouts took charge of leading the street cleanup efforts.

This marked our second year organizing the World Cleanup Day event in Mai Mahiu. In Naivasha, we approached the local municipality to initiate this event for the first time. This year, Koinonia Education Centre was the only school participating in the event, but we hope to inspire many other schools to join in and make this a lasting tradition in the years to come.

Koinonia Tradition: Peace Child Performance

The Peace Child performance at Koinonia has been an annual tradition since 2007. After five years, we were excited to bring back this beloved tradition in 2024! Students from Years 3 to 8 take part in the performance, working together and learning the value of teamwork. The five-year break meant that many students who had previously experienced Peace Child had already graduated. However, with the guidance of our older students and long-time teachers, we successfully revived the play—making it even better than before.

Another key takeaway from this experience for students is the opportunity to perform on stage in front of a live audience. This not only helps students build confidence but also allows them to discover the joy and fulfillment that comes with performing. This experience has also had a significant influence on our Christmas concert, earning high praise for the quality of performing arts at Koinonia, which is now recognized as an integral part of the current Kenyan school curriculum.

Farming in Koinonia 

Tucked within the expansive grounds of Koinonia is a thriving farm, lovingly cultivated by our students. In Kenya, it’s common to plant crops like maize and kale in every available space to support daily meals, and we’ve embraced this tradition. For the past two years, we’ve grown kale and cabbage, though timing has often been a challenge – crops sometimes reached harvest during school holidays or withered during dry spells. This year, however, the farm has flourished. Thanks to the heavy rains in April and careful planning, kale and cabbage now nourish our students regularly, alongside tomatoes, onions, and coriander. It’s a meaningful step toward self-sufficiency and healthier meals.

As part of their agricultural studies, every student from grades 1 to 6 has their own 4x8 meter plot of land to tend. These small plots are where they grow crops that directly contribute to the school’s meals. Middle and high school students also participate in agricultural classes, and all students collectively manage the larger farm. They nurture seedlings, transplant crops, water, weed, and eagerly anticipate the harvest.

Beyond offering hands-on learning, this work supports balanced nutrition for our students and strengthens Koinonia’s sustainability. 

Happy New Year!

As we reflect on 2024, our hearts are full of gratitude. The highlight was the success of our crowdfunding campaign for a second school bus, made possible by your incredible support. We have been able to drive into the new year with a comfortable commute for our students and we are truly thankful to all who contributed.

This year marked the fifth anniversary of Koinonia Education Centre in Maai Mahiu. After the challenges of the post-COVID years, we enjoyed a stable and vibrant year, with our annual events returning to their familiar rhythm and Koinonia’s spirit shining through.

Our teaching staff underwent intensive training, showing remarkable growth and nurturing their relationships with their students. We also celebrated the graduation of 11 high school seniors, many of whom began with little understanding and hesitation, but grew to embrace our close-knit, transformative community. Do read on, as they reflect on how Koinonia has transformed their lives and helped them to grow.

This year saw the return of our musical tradition – Peace Child – a school musical with a beautiful story of overcoming differences for a harmonious world. It was a challenging, first-time experience for many, but through collaboration, learning, practice and perseverance, we put on a brilliant performance that set new standards of excellence.

At Koinonia, we believe in taking care of our planet, building a sustainable future for our school and community. Through generous donations, we planted 650 tree seedlings, and we look forward to our campus becoming an oasis with fruit-bearing trees. We also participated in World Clean Up Day, a global event for awareness about pollution and global warming. We pioneered and participated in both the Maai Mahiu and regional chapter in Naivasha, showing through action, what it means to contribute to our community.

Looking ahead, our key challenge is achieving operational stability. Over the next five years, we aim to grow the school body to 390 students. 90% of our current students require sponsorship but we know this is not sustainable. As we grow, we aim to reach a ratio of 50% sponsored and 50% self-funded students to allow us to continue providing a quality education to disadvantaged children while extending our program to those who opt for a holistic, high-quality education.

Again, thank you for your continued support without which this would not be possible. We look forward to what we can achieve together this year! - Sara Ichihashi, Administrative Director of Koinonia Education Centre