CTIE’s 25th academic year

opened last week. In August, a total of 42 new students were enrolled, most eager to begin their Bachelors’ degree jour-ney, but five embarking upon their Masters’ road. Mean-while, the retention rate con-tinues to hold at nearly 100% as students have worked hard during the long break (most students finished their last semester four months earlier) to raise funds so that they could resume their studies.

For the past 3 years, Tangaza University College (which previ-ously had been Tangaza Col-lege) has been in the process of becoming a full-fledged univer-sity. It is hoped that the Charter will be granted to Tangaza to become Tangaza University this academic year. At that time, CTIE will become one of the three schools of the new uni-versity. Standing alongside the School of Theology and the School of Social Arts and Sci-ences will be the School of Edu-

cation. However, the School of Education will also con-tinue to be called Christ the Teacher Institute for Educa-tion, surely a fitting name for this great Lasallian teacher training university. Your editor will be relo-cated to DENA for this aca-demic year, but CTIEhap-penings will continue to happen periodically so that we all may keep abreast of this exciting anniversary year for CTIE.

Happy Anniversary Year, CTIE

2020 Vision—Lawrence Ochieng’

Among the new faces at CTIE is

Lawrence Ochieng’, an affable young man who hails from Siaya District, 265 miles west of Nairobi near the Ugandan border and north of Lake Victoria. His par-ents continue to be peasant farm-ers who grow maize, cabbage, and kale. With eight other chil-dren to raise (two have died), his parents have relied on sales of some of their crops to provide education for their children. Es-pecially during his secondary school years, education became increasingly important to Law-rence. He attributes much to his deputy principal, who inspired

him so much that Lawrence resolved to follow in his footsteps and become a teacher.

Having attained a C+ on the national exam in November of 2014, Lawrence was pro-vided a “calling letter” to one of the public universi-ties, but he was not able to meet the financial require-ments. Consequently, he has spent the past two years “struggling” to save some money so that he could begin his teacher training. He earned money by doing some farming for other families and also by making and selling man-dazi’s (to learn more, check out: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mandazi) By last month, he had saved $400, the neces-sary fee to begin studying at CTIE.

He was introduced to CTIE by his aunt who has known

Timothy Kabare, CTIE alum and current Coordinator of Admissions for CTIE. Law-rence has moved to Nai-robi and now shares a modest home with that aunt and her two daugh-ters. The three women abide together in one room and Lawrence sleeps on a mattress on the floor in the sitting room. He is thrilled to have this oppor-tunity to become a teacher. He smiles deeply as he says that he wants to be a good example to the society and that he wants to change the world. He has found the perfect insti-tutional fit in CTIE, where we wish that all our stu-dents will transform the society.

A member of the Class of 2020, we hope that his vision for his future and the world will become all the more real during his years at CTIE. C

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Volume 9 Issue 1

02 September 2016

Attending the July 2014 graduation of

CTIE, Patrice Henning (alumnae of Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, Winona) had an inspiration – to ar-range for alums of the Minnesota cam-puses to visit their fellow alums from Nairobi. By engaging Bob Fisher (Director of Alumni Relations, SMU) and with the support of the admini-stration of Saint Mary’s, the plan was set in motion, coming to fruition dur-ing the week of August 7, 2016.

Some twenty CTIE alums were involved in hosting these Minnesota alums. An intercultural exchange between the two groups was the key event of the

first day. Then, there was a day when the USA sextet visited CTIE graduates in their classrooms, including one which is set in a prison. By the end of that Wednesday, strong bonds existed between the two groups of SMU alums. A very moving 3-hour exchange ended that memorable day. And a few days later, on the eve of the departure of the Minnesotans, an afternoon cookout enabled the new friends to have some social time to-gether.

In addition to these activities, the SMU alums visited another Saint Mary’s, this one in Nyeri, where they witnessed the remarkable work being done by Lasal-lians there, with CTIE alum, Bro. Peter

Kombe as headmaster. They also spent a day in Kibera, Africa’s largest slum, where another CTIE alum, Jeremiah Mumo (pictured on page 4, bottom left), has begun a weekend program caring for the children of Kibera.

There were cultural events as well to augment the service days. Both guests and hosts were very moved by the un-commonly rewarding common experi-ence. Pictured above with your editor are participants: Bob Fisher (Director of Alumni Relations, Saint Mary’s Univer-sity of Minnesota), Patrice Henning (Organizer of this event), Tao Peng, Ma-sulya Zakayo Kuyenga, Heather Has-demir, and Kassondra Burtis.

“For 10 days we visited graduates of St. Mary University of Minnesota at

CTIE.—a life altering experience. We have seen people out there day by day

doing things, not for money, but dedicating themselves to changing lives of

others. I have seen CTIE graduates providing food and shelter to kids who are

homeless and abandoned, providing education to people who otherwise

might not have the opportunity to get an educa-

tion. This trip has opened my eyes to the possi-

bilities, restored faith in humanity and re-

energized me for the future.”

Page 2

Historic Union of Alums of Saint Mary’s University

Reflection by Tao Peng, SMU 2011

CT IE HA PPE NI NGS

V OLU ME 9 ISS UE 1

“So very humbled by the hospitality that

was provided by the SMU alumni in Kenya! They literally stopped their daily commitments for us while we were there. They prepared us for our joint La-sallian service visits and projects by im-mersing us into Kenya and their lives! The visits to their schools, the leadership positions they hold as administrators and teachers were all impressive. The fact that they are all so involved as young Lasallian graduates is an example for all of us!” (Patrice Henning, SMU ‘84)

“The Lasallian educational philosophy was evident in both sets of graduates. I was so impressed by the dedication that alums from Minnesota and Kenya had in serving and loving those often consid-ered unlovable in the society. And how eye-opening to share about our distinct cultural practices and educational sys-tems.” (Judith Otieng, CTIE, Class of 2008).

“I saw Christ’s light shining with love in every alumni’s face as I heard their stories about their lives, education, and the amazing work they were doing to promote God’s love to help others. I witnessed hope shin-ing everywhere through the many faces of the peoples of Kenya and throughout the different pro-grams/school run by the CTIE’s alumni. My heart was touched, my mind was taught, and my life is forever changed because of my experiences.” (Heather Hasdemir, SMU ‘97)

“The visit by the alumni of Saint Mary's University from USA to Kenya was so rich in many ways. It was touching to see peo-ple coming from different cultures get-ting so united by the Lasallian tradition. We shared and learned so much from each other. The humility of the visitors who walked through slums in Nairobi

under hot sun and dust, and who visited the in-carcerated minors in Kenya's largest prison was touching to the peo-ple in those destinations and to us alums of CTIE. I hope for more such mo-ments of walking to-gether, knowing each

other and having fun together.” ” (Henry Kamundi, CTIE, Class of 2007).

“I do think lives were changed on both sides of the world. In the spirit of St. John Baptist de La Salle, our minds were certainly taught, our hearts were touched and our lives were trans-formed.” (Bob Fisher, SMU ‘97)

of the Lwanga District descended upon Nairobi

for a week of solid input and great sharing. All

who participated in the week left with a project

to work on, but more importantly, with hope for

an ever-increasing understanding and sharing of

our common Lasallian heritage.

At the conclusion of the workshop, Alan and

Brian visited CTIE, where they met Bro. Paulos

Welday, Director of CTIE and Veronica Lokidon-

goi, whom we featured in an issue of CTIEhap-

penings last year.

Another historic event

transpired last week, as

35 Lasallians partook in a

Lasallian Formation

workshop, organized

and implemented by

Alan Weyland, Executive

Director of DENA’s Office

of Mission and Ministry and Brother Brian Henderson, FSC, accompanier of

DENA’s Young Lasallian Professionals. Brothers and partners from all corners

Page 3

Further Reflections by Alumni Participants

Historic Lasallian Formation Week in Nairobi

We are happy to report that in the 2015-2016, a total of 90 readers of CTIEhappenings were

Friends of CTIE, contributing more than $40,000 to support our future teachers who hail from

the informal settlements of Kenya. The exact amount of donations will be posted shortly at the

Friends of CTIE website: www.friendsofctie.org.

If you would like to become a Friend of CTIE for this new academic year, you have 2 options:

A. Make a check payable to BROTHERS OF THE CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS and send it to Brother

Dennis Lee, FSC / 444 A Route 35 South / Eatontown NJ 07724.

B. You can now make payments on line! Just click on https://www.fscdena.org/product/

donate-to-christ-the-teacher-institute/

mit $30 billion in public and private support for infrastructure development, education and healthcare expansion in Africa.

And yesterday, Facebook Founder and

CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, arrived in Kenya. He posted, “ “Just landed in Nairobi! I'm here to meet with entrepreneurs and develop-ers, and to learn about mobile money -- where Kenya is the world leader.”

Expat Insider recently conducted a survey

of 14,000 people living in 195 different countries. They asked about the weather where the participants live. Kenya finished

“The Tokyo International Conference

on African Development (TICAD) sum-mit was first held in Tokyo in 1993 and until this past weekend, all summits have been held in Japan’s capital city. In seeking to bring the summit to Af-rica, the organizers opted for Nairobi. Over these two days, Japan signed 73 agreements on trade with African states. And in a news conference with President Uhuru Kenyatta at the State House, Japanese Premier Shinzo Abe also announced a $9.8 million fund for social development. “I wish to thank Prime Minister Abe for his for extending a grant of 1 billion yen for economic and social develop-ment,” Kenyatta said. He said Japan had also vowed to aid Kenya in tackling terrorism. Japan has pledged to com-

a strong 6th. And why not? Living in Nairobi is like being in San Diego! (BTW, the USA ranked 29th in the re-sults of the survey)

And finally what’s not to like about

having the multi-talented Eric Waina-ina return for a second Benefit Con-cert? Our skilled humanitarian will per-form at Tangaza on Sunday afternoon, October 2, 2016. If you are in Nairobi that day, please be sure to enjoy an afternoon of music and dance – all supporting our future teachers who hail from the informal settlements. And surely, what is there not to like about these ambitious young men and women? If you have yet experienced Eric’s mu-sic, check him out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dh3oKHJ7KZQ

What is not to love about Kenya?

Become a Friend of CTIE