I first learned about Montessori education when Corner of Hope started here, in New Canaan. At that time, the teachers and children were working under the tree and inside the tent. I used to visit them, to observe how the children were working with materials on the mat. This was foreign and strange to me; I had never seen anything like it before. Gradually, our children experienced the joys of reading, writing and becoming skilled, independent, ordered and responsible. This way of learning was actually changing society through these children! That was when I realised Montessori is different!

I wanted to learn more about it. At the same time, I wanted to contribute to the future of the children in New Canaan. This was my community and I knew the difficulties that these children were going through. We had to change our way of living and I believed we had to start from these children. I wanted to be a bridge and a role model, so in 2018, I applied to join the training college and I was given an opportunity.

After I trained and graduated, I joined Corner of Hope under attachment in 2019, where I worked with the children. This was my happiest time ever. The teaching facility was beautiful, the environment well arranged and equipped with the necessary materials. This school was a home away from home, safe and secure. The children loved the place. They hated Saturdays and Sundays when the doors were locked.

A lot has changed since I first set foot in the school. The roof has been replaced and we had a lot of new children joining the school, because fame is spreading far and beyond. We also changed our garden and planted more flowers. However, our way of guiding students has stayed the same, and so did the love of our children for the school and education.

The most special thing I have learned during my time at Corner Of Hope is that no child is better than another. I also learned the importance of being a role model. I remember one day I invited a group of children to work, and even before I presented the materials to them, they were imitating me.

It is such a great achievement when I see these children work well with materials, gain independence, concentration, skill, order and patience. I think that in ten years, Corner of Hope will have more classrooms including at the elementary level. I hope that this mother school will be famous worldwide and that our country Kenya will embrace the Montessori method.