My unfancy story & why I love to teach adults

My name is Jackie Mungai. They say I was born in the early 1990s at a nursing home in Huruma, Nairobi. However, I am based in Malindi, Kilifi County. I am a teacher by profession. By default, I am a grammar cop much to the annoyance of many people. More accurately, I am a teacher of English and English Literature. My majors are from Moi University. I completed my course in the year 2014 and earned a Distinction in Diploma in Education (Arts). I am still learning. My education has been nurtured both at home and in good schools and by good people.

English as a subject has always sparked my interest all my life. Life itself is English, and English is life — Like, language is used in every aspect of our lives, not so?

I have this indescribable love, passion, zeal and thrill for English as a language. We all have something that we like and no number of words can tell why. When I was growing up, it was a measure of intelligence. Some people think it still is. This language thing is more practical than most of the things we were taught in school.

You see, I wanted to become a doctor in my primary school years. We used to be ‘given’ career dreams by our teachers. Doctors are people that I really respect. A profession (or calling) that gives life is not one that is normal. It is a noble profession — and full of life as well. I think my teacher thought that I being a doctor would make me great. Nevertheless, I realized that this path was not mine after Math and Sciences, specially, became a bore to me.

Math was all about solving boring endless equations. This was one cumbersome task. It became worse when I was exposed to longer and time consuming equations in my sophomore year in high school. To be honest, Math lost me at Logarithms. I never understood where I would apply such content in real life situations (I still don’t). Chemistry, in the same vein, was boring. I had already given up on that dream of becoming a doctor. There was no way then I could want to learn in a laboratory and foresee my future in one as well. Chemistry even turned out to be mathematical later on when I was in form three. With the introduction of The Mole Concept, its formulae and all the chemical equations, my mind switched off completely. These days, I understand that it was a very irrational thing to do — given the fact that I was to pass in every other subject (not English alone) for my mean grade to make sense.

Looking at the flip side though, my focus and specialization made me who I am today. I take pride in the opportunities given to me because of my passion for the subject. My expertise and experience has seen me bring the dreams of many people to life.

Also, it is enabling me to empower other youth to reach their goals. Language is actually a bridge that connects people. Why should Leo have to withhold his thoughts and knowledge from his boss Oliver because he cannot express himself in English? So many networks can be created if people are able to talk to each other and understand what each of them is saying. As a plus, it makes life easier. Does it not bug you when someone cannot pass a message, or they cannot understand your point simply because of a language difference? I am sure it does!

This language thing is more practical than most of the things we were taught in school. As a result, anyone who learns is able to live life in a better way. It is attractive when self-reliance is evident in a character. Independence should be every sane person’s dream. Sometimes it feels great helping out people with the things do not seem to know or have. However, when it happens quite too often, it turns out to be a bother. The adage that says that people should be taught how to fish and not be given food instead is so lit. What if such people are enlightened? Would not the world be a better place? Do we not always want better as humans?

Let me put this in context. These ‘friends’ of ours that work yet keep on asking endlessly for ‘small’ loans from you every other minute every day… Were they not taught how to budget? What is financial management and how hard or easy is it for people? How many times should you be the one to explain a menu to the Bobs that you interact with in everyday life? My mission is inspired by the urge to change these kinds of people. They are in our society

Our society is highly dynamic. Things are changing real quick. The patterns in the technological advancements are fast-paced. In a global village where I grapple to keep up with new trends and adapt to new innovations, there are people, sadly, who are not even versed in the analog world. It breaks my heart that some of these are hopeless youth in our midst. My very own neighbours, for instance, work, eat, sleep and repeat. Their social life is at zero. It is youth that can hasten modernization in a society given that their curiosity and energy level is still productive.

I also feel like language and teaching and learning generally lifts poverty. An empowered person uses the knowledge gained to better his or her life. Poverty levels can be alleviated if someone has a set of skills. If more people are literate, then the gap between the rich and the poor is narrowed. A bilingual person can talk to many people. Creating connections builds a platform for opportunities. Leo will be able to talk to Oliver one day and make him incorporate better ideas in the farm. There are people who are learning languages with a view to be able to communicate to foreigners. I imagine the kind of investments they can channel towards supporting a course. It would be massive! A cord of three strands (or more than) is not easily broken.

It is for these reasons that I teach. I’m passionate about adult literacy. It is my strong conviction that it is the youth who can change the society. My focus thus these days is on teaching young adults. It has always been. I’m all about adult literacy. I have realized how many people out here do not know even what I deem basic. I also think that it is quite a shame to be in society that is a blend of highly illiterate people juxtaposed with the literate ones. I have mandated myself to help those in the darkness. I am offering a second chance to someone out there because of some of the things I have pointed out here. I will teach basic literacy, financial inclusion, life skills and digital literacy.

I’m sure you know someone who would wish to be part of my journey. I think it’s quite unfortunate that some people do not know some important stuff. However, you can help make one literate. These baby steps are such a huge move. I’m looking forward to hear more. Tell me what your thoughts are about this and how I can better myself to better others. Reach out! Thank you.