Madam Director comes back with news of MWCEA growth!
Guess who’s back? It’s AJ, Mwanzo’s (un)official intern and your guide for this MWCEA-packed edition! So, grab a desk, settle in, and prepare for some A+ updates—no pop quizzes, I promise!
This year, we’ve welcomed 150 new students, bringing total enrollment to 412 pupils! More families are choosing Mwanzo for their children’s education, a testament to the quality learning environment and supportive community we’ve built together.
With this expansion, we’ve been able to invest in essential resources. The increase in tuition income has helped us build more desks, chairs, and tables for both students and staff—ensuring that classrooms remain well-equipped for learning. However, with more young students, the demand for daily care has also grown. To meet these needs, we are hiring temporary helpers and our parents are volunteering time to assist with meals and support the youngest learners throughout the day. MWCEA’s 39 staff members, including, 16 dedicated teachers—9 women and 7 men— are always working hard to provide quality education to every student.
More Students, More Wheels
Now, with more young students enrolling from even farther villages, transportation is once again becoming a challenge. In August 2024, thanks to generous support, we were able to purchase one school bus outright and put down a down payment for the second, which we thought would fully solve the issue. At the time, it was a game-changer—ensuring students could get to school safely and on time. Many of our newest students can’t walk the long distances, and delays in transportation push back the start of the school day for everyone.
Beyond daily commutes, our commitment to extracurricular activities like sports, scouting camps, and the off-campus learning experiences that Mwanzo is committed to introducing the kids to, has made reliable transport even more essential. To ease congestion, prevent delays, and support student activities, we are working toward adding a third school bus. This would ensure that all students arrive on time, ready to learn, and fully participate in school life—both inside and outside the classroom.
We’re incredibly grateful for the buses we already have, and now, we’re looking ahead to make sure every Mwanzo student has access to the education, resources, and experiences they deserve.
Full steam ahead with STEM!
Our science lab is revolutionizing learning at MWCEA, giving students hands-on opportunities to explore, experiment, and apply knowledge in meaningful ways. This investment in STEM education is a key reason the Ministry of Education recognized MWCEA as a STEM-focused junior secondary school—a milestone we’re incredibly proud of!
With support from local and international donors, the lab continues to improve. Recent binocular donations from our U.S. supporters have enhanced biology lessons, allowing students to observe their environment like never before.
Our commitment to STEM education goes beyond the science lab—our newly upgraded computer lab is now giving students access to essential digital skills.
Since 2021, MWCEA had only six desktop computers available for students, limiting their exposure to technology. But in October 2024, visiting Seattle supporter Mary Kollar saw firsthand how eager students were to learn computer skills. Inspired, she and her husband, Allan, made a surprise donation, allowing MWCEA to purchase 30 brand-new computers. Thanks to Teacher Toby, who traveled to Nairobi to personally oversee the purchase, the lab was fully stocked and ready for the first day of school on January 7, 2025. When students walked in, their excitement was through the roof!
“The classroom vibrated with movement and engagement which she modeled in her own energy. Most of all I was impressed that the students were so eager to learn, and when a student didn’t have the “right” answer, the other students engaged in being helpful. There was no shame in being “wrong.””
The demand for STEM learning has only grown. During the November 2024 school break, over 60 students—some from neighboring schools—enrolled in a special computer training session, eager to develop their skills. Teachers Winnie and Toby volunteered their time, offering lessons at a minimal fee that covered snacks for students. Unfortunately, MWCEA couldn’t accommodate everyone, proving just how essential access to technology is for young learners.
With the momentum of STEM education stronger than ever, another exciting opportunity is emerging. Neighboring schools lack a fully equipped science lab, and we’re exploring ways to offer them weekend access for a small fee. This would not only serve the broader community but also help sustain the lab, ensuring students at MWCEA continue to benefit from hands-on learning for years to come.
From scientific exploration to digital literacy, STEM at MWCEA is thriving—and thanks to the unwavering support of our Mwanzo community, students are gaining the skills and opportunities needed for a brighter future and one of those students is thinking big thanks to access to these labs.
For students like Samwel Otieno Onyango, who has been part of Mwanzo since childhood, resources like these have transformed his educational journey. His passion for science and technology has been fueled by these opportunities, proving just how impactful practical learning experiences can be.
Read on to learn more about Samwel’s journey.
Student Spotlight: Meet Samwel, a Future Engineer with Big Dreams!
At Mwanzo, we believe education has the power to transform lives, and Samwel Otieno Onyango is living proof of that. His story is one of resilience, determination, and the opportunities that come with access to quality education. From his earliest school days at Mwanzo Wetu Center of Excellence Academy (MWCEA) to his current journey at one of the region’s top high schools, Samwel’s path reflects the impact that Mwanzo’s support and resources can have on a student’s future.
Coming from the village of Maliera, where farming is the backbone of many families, his parents worked tirelessly to provide for him. However, like many in the region, their income was unpredictable, relying on weather conditions and seasonal harvests. This instability often made it difficult to cover basic school fees, and at times, continuing his education felt uncertain.
His hard work paid off—when it came time for high school, Samwel’s strong academic performance earned him acceptance into Ramba Boys High School, one of the top-ranked schools in the region. This was a huge achievement, but staying enrolled presented another challenge. Tuition, books, uniforms, and transportation costs were far beyond what his family could afford. The fear of having to leave school due to financial struggles was very real.
Thankfully, Mwanzo’s support network stepped in once again. Because of generous donors and dedicated supporters, Samwel was able to continue his education without the constant stress of financial insecurity. Now, as a high school student, Samwel is thriving in ways he never imagined. With MWCEA recognized as a STEM-focused junior secondary school, he had the foundation he needed to pursue his passion for science and technology.
At MWCEA’s well-equipped science lab, Samwel first experienced hands-on learning, conducting experiments and applying theoretical concepts to real-world scenarios. This early exposure sparked his deep interest in engineering and problem-solving. Even now, as a high school student, he returns during holidays to spend time in the lab, continuously expanding his knowledge and skills. For the first time, Samwel has been able to use real scientific tools to observe the world around him, making the lessons feel more tangible than ever. These experiences cemented his dream—he wants to become an engineer, not just to build a career, but to create solutions that directly impact his community.
A Community-Based Future
For Samwel, education isn’t just about personal success—it’s about giving back and creating opportunities for others. He has seen firsthand the challenges small-scale farmers face, and he wants to be part of the solution. His dream is to design farming tools that make agricultural work easier and more efficient, helping families like his become more financially stable.
This is exactly why Mwanzo’s work is so important. Samwel’s story illustrates how a single student, given access to education, resources, and support, can go from facing an uncertain future to becoming a leader with a vision for change.
Without MWCEA’s strong educational foundation, he might not have been able to reach high school, discover his passion for STEM, or dream of making a lasting impact.
The Power of Opportunity—And How You Can Help
Samwel’s success is proof that talent exists everywhere, but opportunity does not. At Mwanzo, we are committed to bridging that gap, ensuring that every student—regardless of their background—has the tools, resources, and support to reach their full potential.
By investing in education, whether it’s supporting our STEM programs, funding transportation, or sponsoring a student’s education, you are helping shape the future of students like Samwel—giving them the opportunity to learn, grow, and create real change.
Together, we can make sure that every child has the chance to dream big and achieve even more.
“They were so enthusiastic in their teaching, they knew and understood their students and the curriculum they were delivering, and they were very caring for their students and were sensitive in how they related to them. Again, it was evident in every way that teachers and students alike value this educational opportunity in their village. ”
Mwanzo is not only focused on getting students through school—we’re committed to what comes next. As we look ahead to 2025, we’re working to better support our next class of 8th-grade graduates as they transition to high school. The recent changes to Kenya’s education system mean that high school now begins in grade 10, making this an especially important time to secure funding and resources for our students.
We’re also investing in practical, hands-on learning—and one of the best examples of this is our student poultry project. Led by Teacher Jababu Ochieng and Teacher Winnie Ouma, the poultry project is teaching students responsibility, financial literacy, and real-world business skills. They learn how to care for the chickens, manage costs, and track profits, giving them valuable experience they can take into adulthood.
Nurturing The Whole Person
This ties into Mwanzo’s holistic approach to education—whether it’s through STEM programs, hands-on agricultural projects, or leadership development, we’re committed to creating an environment where students gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to shape their own futures.
By expanding access to education, resources, and life-changing opportunities, we’re ensuring that every student has a chance to thrive—and with your support, we can continue making that vision a reality.
Thanks for checking out the awesome new things going on at the MWCEA.
Until the next update,
AJ, the (un)official intern, signing off!