Evelyn Wakhusama, MDiv, STM

The Nambale Magnet School, Busia Kenya
The Rev. Evalyn Wakhusama (M. Div. 2001; STM 2002; YDS -Lux et Veritas Award, 2011)

Ten years ago, Nambale Magnet School (NMS) opened its doors to 32 fully supported and 3 partially subsidized learners. The dream to give an opportunity to quality schooling for vulnerable children was born while a student at Yale Divinity School. Reflections on my personal journey to YDS and the uniqueness of that opportunity created a compulsion to give back to society where need was highest. I returned home to my country Kenya with twin concept- “the tear of compassion and the flame of indignation”.
Nambale, a small rural town on the West of Kenya bordering Uganda became my natural choice. I was born and raised in that part of the world and I knew too well the challenges of growing in that community. Besides, it had been ravaged by the HIV/AIDS pandemic almost decimating the educated, which had just sprung out of poverty. As a family we suffered such loss and knew too well what it meant to raise orphans. Initially, the family struggled with stigma but we soon realized that we were not the only ones in that situation. The situation was so desperate that one was either infected or affected. The need to reach out and restore hope was enormous. Many interventions were put in place, such as children’s homes to take in orphaned children. But reviewing their performance, my team saw the gaps and chose a different path – to offer quality schooling that will transform lives completely. Education is a game changer. Social inequality is driven by inequality in education. Bridging this social inequality was possible through provision of quality schooling and thereby enhancing transition to higher levels of education.
In 2009, we let in the first group into our Kindergarten class and with each year added a class at the bottom until the learners got to grade 8 in 2016 and sat for the Standardized national testing exams for high school. The results were amazing and all the 28 learners transitioned to good high schools. The year following, 2017, a repeat of impressive results was realized and all the 27 joined high school. The children in Nambale Magnet School are aware of the great opportunity presented to them and are constantly grateful to be in a great school. In 2018 the enrolment is at 380 with children aged between 3 and 14 years.
NMS does not just focus on quality education; we use a multi-disciplinary approach in meeting the needs of our learners: social skills, health aspects, good nutrition, spiritual development and lifelong skills through mentorship for improved decision making. Learners graduating from NMS are prepared to navigate their lives skillfully in the next phases of their lives. We pride in the fact they will remain associated with NMS because of what they received and how they were nurtured.
The school further exposes the learners to modern and innovative methods of farming and doing business. These activities provide a sustainable model that is attractive to emulate.
The School continues to enjoy invaluable partnerships both locally and internationally, specifically the USA as a result of friends forged while in school. Currently individuals and groups support the school through the following organizations: WIKS-USA Inc.; Cornerstone Project Inc. and the Nambale Scholars Inc. I am indebted to many men and women who have made my dream come to reality. We are open to developing more strategic bilateral and multilateral partnership for sustainability.