By Pride Nyando, Wycliffe Ochieng, and Dolly Kawira

On Saturday May 13, 2023, three families (Julius Nyerere, Kenneth Kaunda and Wangari Maathai) from the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at USIU-Africa took part in this year’s Scholar Day of Service (SDS) with an aim to create a more equitable learning environment for students by providing academic, social, and emotional support to students who may not have access to such resources outside of school. The focus was on Kavilinguni Secondary School in Machakos County where the Scholars provided lockers, and chairs, and mentored the students. During the event, the students’ academic achievements and progress were also recognized and awarded.

In attendance at the event were the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Margee Ensign, Principal Academic Advisor, Mr. Stephen Kiseli, the Principal, Kavilinguni Secondary School, Mr. Boniface Nduta, PTA Chair, Kavilinguni Secondary School, Mr. Kissing Benard, among other members of the School’s leadership. Others in attendance were members of the Scholars Program team at USIU-Africa, 90 Scholars, members of the Rotaract Club at USIU-Africa, teachers, parents and the wider Kavilinguni community.

The goal was to create a discerning community where students feel valued and supported, and helping these students succeed academically and personally. Within the family outreach event, students were assigned to various sessions where they discussed a variety of topics. In the breakout class sessions, the topics of discussion centered around academic performance, time management, goal setting, personal development and career obligation. In the mentorship session, the students were divided into two groups where the students discussed topics on relationships, social and emotional well-being, health and wellness, leadership and community involvement, and cultural awareness and diversity.

In the inclusive session, the areas of highlight were extracurricular activities, community partnerships, student well-being, parental involvement, learning environment and student progress and achievement.
During the awards session, students were awarded according to the best performance, most improved, extracurricular activities, leadership, character and behavior. With the opportunity to hear from role models and experts in their professions, the speaker series by key dignitaries present complemented these subjects for the students.

Kavilinguni high school which hosted this year Scholar Day of Service is a public mixed-day secondary school in Kangundo Sub County, Machakos County. It was started in 1989 by the community's stakeholders. The vision is to make an excellent, noble school with standard infrastructure, well-disciplined students, and very good academic performance. The school is sponsored by the County Education Board (CEB). The current enrollment is 196 students. The average class size of the school is 40. There are 10 Teachers Service Commission teachers.

The event was organized by Scholar Leaders from the three families namely: Silas Ooko Otieno, Madeline Mendy, Pride Nyando, Moureen Agwona, Irene Mungai and Oketch Antony.