Teaching in Kenya

We belive that the primary reason for doing a practial in an African school is that students get to know teachers and students in a different cultural environment and gain insight into a school system that is unfamiliar to ours.
they get to exchange ideas and plans regarding teaching with Kenyaen teachers, prepare lessons independently every day, and conduct these lessons on their own. Given the lack of teaching materials, this requires a great deal of commitment, unconventional approaches and spontaneous creativity from the interns.

However, working in the classrooms also allows them to strengthen their confidence in their own abilities and self-confidence. In addition, it supports the development of essential skills such as intercultural sensitivity, impovisation and problem solving abilities.

Overall, this intership is a great benefit for both sides. The Kenyan teachers are supported and enriched by the students' collaborations and ideas, while the students gain valuable professional and personal experience through close teaching collaboration and community life.

they are in Kithuani Village, Chuka and Nambale

Kiereni Primary and Junior school in Chuka: experience report from Lea, 2024:

Why exactly Chuka? It is a once-in-a-lifetime chance, to not only get to know the school system but also the life style and culture. It is the possibility to become a part of an African family, that welcomes one so warmly. I lived with Grandma Lucy and her granddaughter Melody. Grandma Lucy quickly said: "You are my daughter now." So cooking together, caring for the animals, washing our laundry by hand side by side, and gathering ripe fruits and nuts were part of our daily routine. On weekends, we took trips into town, simply relaxed or Meldoy taught me patiently how to cook traditional food.

I worked at the Kiereni Primary School. The school way war a little 15 minute walk through the jungle, through banana plants and coffee bushes, past tea plantations, over a wooden plank and a river, then up the hill and through pine apple plants and past the local houses- and just like that, you were there. I was welcomed there just as warmly as by grandma Lucy. I was very excited the first day and soon I stood in front of a 35 pupil class. Most, if not all of them, have never seen a white person before and were accordingly excited. However the nervousity faded quickly among the bigger students and were brave enough to ask questions. The principal also made an effort to make the transition as easy as possible. I teached maths in class 4, english in class 5 and science in class 6. This way time flew by and when the last day came, not only the students shed tears as they said good bye, and many pictures were drwan and letters written.

Soon it was time for me to say goodbye to Lucy and Melody. I couldn't belive that four weeks were already over. I had only just arrived... And Lucy didn't let me leavewithout a backpack full of banans, avocado, macadamia nuts, passion fruits, tea and a "You and your family are always welcome"

It was a very exciting and enriching experience for me, in which I was able to get to know the Kenyan culture, the relaxed attitude as well as their warmth and I am very grateful for this opportunity

Secondary School in Chuka- Experience report by Zarmina, 2018:

"Why Kenya? I got the chance to dive into the Kenyan school system and to experience the everyday school life myself. Six weeks I got to call the little town of Chuka my home. I had the role of a teacher in the Secondary and had therefor the opportunity to get to know a different school system, and to see how lessons are on a different continent. I got thrown into the school life and was a little overwhelmed teaching as a student a 50 people class. However this feeling quickly subsided because not only the students but also the entire faculty welcomed me with open arms. Soon I not only teached english and biology but were also on board during maths and sport lessons. I were also active in extracurricular clubs and joined the students during lunch or tea breaks. I participated in so many different activities that I can hardly list them anymore. Teaching in Kenya is so much more than standing in front of aboard and explaining the material. I learned so much about the culture, the language and the people and simultaneously gained so much experience.

I lived in a small village with Grandma Lucy and all of her granddaughters. I couldn't have wished fo a better guest family. Not only I was Grandma's Lucy new daugther from day one, but also the whole family and neighbourhood was super welcoming. After a long school day we cooked togehter over the fire, drank a lot of tea and played lots of Uno together. On the weekends we went on trips- swimming in the lake, shopping in the city or hiking to Mount Kenya. Of course the conditions were quite modest but that is something that makes this internship so appealing in my opinion. Just let go of the luxury around and see, how happy the Kenyans are. whan saying good bye, we shed a lot of tears, wrote many letters and exchanged numbers. I would have loved to take my host family and the entire school home."

Secondary School in Chuka- Experience report by andrea, 2015:

"In my opinion the internship is an extraordinary opportunity to not only get to know Kenya and dive into the culture, but to live with the people. Life in Chuka is very simple but you don't need that much and you can also shower with a bucket of water! At Grandma Lucy I felt incredibly well cared for and comfortable within the family and experienced everyday life in rural and unbelivably idyllic Chuka. With "Karibu, welcome!" I got welcomed warmly by neighbours and friends and invited everywhere for dinner. The hospitality was enormous.

As the first student from the Division of Biology Education from the LMU I went to the Kiereni High School. I was a challenge, that made so much fun. The teachers supported me in my ideas and helped me with books to prepare. For example I was able to encourage the students and teachers to use the microscopes, which not only the students found interesting. Of course it wasn't alway easy and sometimes it felt like i was jumping into the deep. But I had the opportunity to be creative, to improvise and to try me out. I found it extremely interesting, to not only see the differences but also the similarities. And the students were just great.

For me it was an exciting and intense time. I think it is a precious opportunity as a student teacher to get to know a different school system than the Bavarian one and this in such a great country as Kenya. If I would reccomend the internship? In any case!"

Primary school in Chuka- Experience report by Anja and Julia, 2014:

"The time we spent in Chuka was very nice, rich in experiences and extraordinary. In the beginning we had our problems to get used to the non european living standars, however this was canceled by the warmth and openness by the family and the teachers. We lived in a small house together with Grandma Lucy and her familiy. Especially the two children always kept us busy. We were immediately integrated into family life and did laundry and cooked for each other together, so we quickly felt at home.

The children in the Karuini Primary School were very excited at first and still were when our three weeks were over. The teaching there is hardly comparable to that in Germany, as there are few to no resources available. Nevertheless, we and the students were able to learn a lot from each other and with each other, both in terms of content and on a personal level—across all language barriers. The teachers were very open toward us and engaged in lively discussions with us about the school systems and cultures of both countries.

We are very glad to have chosen this practical and can recommend it wholeheratedly to anyone who is curious and open to new experiences!"

The costs for the flight (ca 800€) and the accommodation must be payed by the students themselves.

If you are interested in a school internship in Kithuani Village, Chuka or Nambale, please reach out to:

Julia Braumiller, julia.braumiller@bio.lmu.de

Anja Jentscher, anja.c.jentscher@gmail.com

The teaching language in the Primary School is during the first three years the first language of the students, such as Kikamba or Kimeru. Since class four and onwards and in the Junior and Senior Secondary School the language is English, which is not a problem at all for the student teachers.
Due to the limited knowledge of English, the student teachers can only be in classes 5 and up.

The state pays most of the teachers' salarys and a small part of the books. The community is obliged to cover building schools and interior, the parents must pay for school uniform, school, working materials and part of the teachers' salaries.

In the Secondary School there is also the official School money. If you can't pay the school money, usually 120€ in a year in primary school and then 370€ per year in the secondary/ Senior High School. If you can't pay, you cannot attend classes.