Central Collegiate graduate Akuol Riak took the trip of a lifetime from July 1 to Aug. 13. She participated in a teaching internship at Kayaba School in Kenya, facilitated by AIESEC.
Riak is currently studying education at the University of British Columbia, hoping to become a middle school teacher.
This summer, she wanted to gain more experience as a teacher and travel. She learned about AIESEC, one of the largest youth-led leadership organizations in the world that fosters cross-cultural understanding through international exchanges, through a classmate. Through AIESEC, she was able to secure an internship in Kenya.
“I was blessed with the opportunity to go to Kenya and teach at a local school. All my heartfelt gratitude goes to the many people at AIESEC who made this possible,” Riak said.
“A huge shoutout to Madame Joan, Mr. Abednego Juja, and Madame Rulja, who work tirelessly to serve their students. If you could only step inside the shoes of these hardworking individuals, you would understand it takes the strength of Hercules to run a school.”
You can learn more about AIESEC on their website.
A highlight of her trip was Kenya’s vibrant culinary scene. On every street corner, you could find someone selling mahindi choma (roasted corn on the cob), chapati (traditional flatbread), and smocha (a smokie sausage wrapped in chapati).
“You were always guaranteed a large portion size; it didn’t matter if it was breakfast or a birthday dinner. If you couldn’t stand up after eating a feast, that meant you were eating enough,” she said.
Akuol also appreciated the natural beauty of Kenya’s landscape. The land is covered in palm trees, maize fields, and mountain ranges. The wildlife was diverse, from zebras to dolphins.
“If you’re a fan of The Lion King, you’ll be amazed to know they filmed and took inspiration for the Disney film right in Kenya,” Riak said.
Riak chose to stay with a host family, the Kimanis, in Nairobi. She said her host family made her feel at home during her stay.
While she enjoyed her time in Kenya, she did have to overcome several obstacles. Many of her students did not speak fluent English, and about half of her students were under the age of five.
“Thankfully, I had the aid of Kayaba School’s long-term teacher, Mr. Abednego, who translated for me. By the end of my internship, the students were the ones teaching me Swahili words,” Riak said.
Navigating Nairobi was also a challenge for Riak. She said road signs were extremely limited, and she had to rely heavily on locals and security guards for directions. Despite the challenge, she always found where she was going, and everyone was very friendly and helpful.
The trip was also a major cultural shock, especially seeing the disparity between the rich and poor in Kenya. She said many people in Kenya live below the poverty line, and it was very evident where she taught.
Flooding in Nairobi had destroyed the school, so she was teaching out of a rented room. When it came to recess, the students didn’t have a playground and would have to play on the road next to the school. Even school supplies like pencils and books were hard to come by.
“Many of the students weren’t able to attend school because they could not afford their school fees, therefore attendance constantly fluctuated. This experience taught me that while you can always wish things were different in the moment, you can only work with what you have,” explained Riak.
Riak is planning to raise funds for Kayaba School to help provide the supplies they need to ensure the students get a quality education. Those interested in donating can contact Riak at akuolr66@gmail.com for more information. You can learn more about Kayaba School here.