My name is Ruth Njoroge from Kenya Corner of Hope in New Canaan.

How I got involved in Corner of Hope was like a miracle. I had just finished my secondary education in the year 2008. Since we were still in the camp and my parents could not afford to pay for my further education, I had to stay with my mum. Sometimes I took care of someone’s child for little payment, not knowing I was being prepared for what was coming. I got involved in Corner of Hope in the year 2010. This was when I was informed about an interview that would take place, so I gathered my courage and decided to try my luck. Luckily enough, I was among the first ones who got a full scholarship to join the Montessori course at St Ann’s Montessori College. That was on April 12, 2010, when the late sister Angela was the principal.

I started working in May 2010 when the school reopened after the holidays with the help of teacher Hellen Bwari, who had been teaching in New Canaan for a while. She was of great help to me. The first period of teaching was so exciting as I was eager to show the children the things I had learned, but the facilities were challenging. There was only one big tent which was used by two classes. Teacher Hellen and I were using a church tent, which was torn all over, and as we had no toilets in the camp, people were using the tent as a toilet at night. We had to arrive much earlier every day to clean up the mess and arrange the materials on the sacks before children arrived. We did classes till noon, went for lunch and then came back for training or material making.

In the beginning, children and parents couldn’t understand what Montessori education was all about. Neither could we, until we were taught the magic. We had to explain it to them and after some time the parents could not believe how Montessori had changed their children in all areas. They could clean their nose, would not use abusive language and they started caring for the environment even at home. Children started doing things by themselves, the magic power of Montessori education started growing.

What has stayed the same throughout the years is the peace, love and unity that was brought in Corner of Hope by Montessori education. We have a good relationship with the children, parents and teachers, and we all respect each other’s opinions.

I can say that without any doubt, everything has changed for the better. Corner of Hope has well trained teachers, we have permanent classrooms equipped with complete and functional materials, there are toilets, children are given uniforms and shoes, children eat their lunch in the school and permanent houses were built for the teachers and some of the parents. Truly it has been a journey of blessings, one after another. What has stayed the same throughout the years is the peace, love and unity that was brought in Corner of Hope by Montessori education. We have a good relationship with the children, parents and teachers, and we all respect each other’s opinions.

There are many special things that I have learned during my time at Corner of Hope, but the most important one is the importance of patience and respect for one another. Taking care of children, seeing them do things by themselves, for them to become independent, makes me feel that I have achieved something in life. Having helped to transform the lives of many children through the Montessori training, has been my greatest achievement.

I remember that one day I had to teach parents of some children in my class. I had to teach them all the songs, and it wasn’t easy to some. That was when I realised the power of the absorbent mind of children. The parents couldn’t learn with ease, they really learned the hard way. They kept asking “How can children learn so quickly?“. I explained them about the absorbent mind, how it worked, and also a bit about the sensitive periods. I almost turned into a mentor those days.

In Montessori all materials are of great help in the development of children both physically and mentally. My favourite Montessori materials are practical life materials, because they help in the coordination of movement and also in concentration. They do not only help in school but also at home, since most of the materials are found at home too. They enable the child to become independent, for example the child learns how to button their clothes, hold a spoon, polish shoes, fold clothes, sweep, wash hands and clothes, lay a table. The list is endless.

Truthful to its name, Corner of Hope has been a source of hope for many people, especially the children. The lives of so many have been touched and changed by it. Ten years from now, I hope Corner of Hope will have many branches, and the school in New Canaan will have a bigger place to build an elementary and a secondary school. I hope for Corner of Hope to have its own offices and even its own television channel to spread the message even further.