Class of 2024!

Saturday, December 7th, saw a celebration of togetherness with Arise School hosting a heartwarming gathering to celebrate its first class of Grade 7 students. Having finished their primary education at Arise in 2020, this group completed their four years of secondary education in November by sitting exams equivalent to G.C.S.E’s here in the U.K.

Kicking off with a nostalgic slideshow showcasing memories through their years at Arise, this special reunion also provided a platform for students to share their experiences of the past four years. Laughter soon filled the room as they watched photos of their younger selves. Reminiscing about their shared memories, their joy and camaraderie were palpable.

Each student then took the opportunity to reflect on their unique journey through secondary school. In his reflections, one student demonstrated the very real difference in class size from that at Arise but, also, how his education at Arise had enabled him to adapt:

“Our school had more than 200 students in the class. It was a challenge for teachers to attend to all. It was easy for me to pass through my studies independently because I had a good background in English.”

Students recounted various challenges and adjustments necessary at secondary school, including the separation from friends they had known for a decade. Yet, amidst these challenges, their profound appreciation of the solid foundation built at Arise emerged. As one student expressed it:

“Teachers at my school have asked me to go back for some time to help with teaching the tenses in English. They really enjoyed the way I had mastered the language, thanks to my time at Arise and my teachers.”

All unanimously agreed that their time at Arise had been immensely rewarding. Now optimistically looking forward to having done really well in their leaving exams, they noted that their four years of secondary school had passed swiftly. Largely, this was due to the strong academic and behavioural foundation laid at Arise in their formative years with many elected to leadership positions as prefects.

One student described how the ethos and community spirit fostered at Arise helped him cope in secondary school:

“….since we learned to live in harmony at Arise, I was able to live in harmony at my school…..composed of many Masai students, and they used to separate themselves from outsiders, but I was able to integrate and become friends with them.”

The event also included an inspiring career counselling session led by the Executive Director of the Foundation for Upcoming Engineers and Scientists. Having shared his expertise in engineering and science, he encouraged students to maintain a clear vision and focus on their dreams and aspirations across a range of careers.

As the day drew to a close, sharing a meal together with the Arise staff team, students continued to reminisce, celebrate their connections and the journey they had

undertaken together. It was a nostalgic day, “truly wonderful” and “an event I will never forget”, one which reunited and reminded them of the strong bonds they had formed at Arise and will continue to take with them through life. In the words of another student:

“This event has highlighted just how mature we’ve become. It’s amazing to see the confidence in my friends—there were times we couldn’t even stand in front of the class to speak. Sharing our experiences today showed me how much we’ve evolved.”

It was a day that both highlighted Arise School’s ethos of community and support and, for the students, one filled with joy, inspiration and renewed commitment to their futures—a truly memorable experience for everyone involved.

Finally, we have our own personal and fond memories of many of these students from their very early days as the school’s first students, in particular, those who were sponsored through ACE. It has been a great privilege to witness something of their journey in life to the present and, especially , their commitment to make the most of their opportunity of education through the charity. On behalf of ourselves and ACE, we wish all the students good luck and every success in the future.