Pupils honour Mwalimu Mr
Francis Katungu Mwangangi
 |
| Mwalimu Francis Katungu Mwangangi addresses his pupils and friends during appreciation ceremony for his teaching service. Photo by MUSYOKA NGUI |
By MUSYOKA NGUI
A mediocre
teacher tells. The good teacher explains. The superior teacher demonstrates.
The great teacher inspires. - William Arthur Ward
“Ava, I trust
the visit to Mzee Francis Mwangangi is proceeding well. I would have loved to
join you but I find it impossible to extricate myself from the commitments in
Nairobi. Maybe you can call me and connect me to a loud speaker if you have one
with you. In any event please convey my goodwill message to Mwalimu Francis to
whom we shall all remain greatly indebted for his mentorship when we needed it
most. Regards. SK Musyoka class of 1960-1967.The above text is authored by
Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka, the Wiper party leader and former Vice President who is one of Mr Mwangangi's pupils.
Mr Jerimoth
Mwasya, a Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) representative sent his
apologies thus: “Please give my apology and tell the congregation I honour and recognize
Mr Mwangangi’s good work. On behalf of the KNUT, which I am sure he was a
member, wish him God’s blessings and to live long”.
Mr Mwangangi is
celebrated by his former pupils aka alumni for the great mentorship and
discipline he helped raise the youth from ignorance and illiteracy to leading
lights in the society.
The pupils
thanked God for keeping their teacher fit long after retirement. Some of his
pupils have also retired. Kitui County Government used the event to educate the
public about the government policy of National Social Security Insurance (NSSF).
With only Sh.1000 premium payment the public can enjoy free medical bill
payment if they fall sick. Mr Mwangangi was one of the customers registered on
his retirement bash.
The alumni of
Tseikuru, Kyulungwa and Mivukoni primary schools honoured their teacher with a
certificate of appreciation. He taught the pupils for 32 years (1962-1994).
They celebrated him for his great inspiration, high level of integrity, great skills
of leadership, time management, mentorship, coaching and discipline. The alumni
of the above schools also undertook the finishing of a plot at Tseikuru market
in appreciation of Mwalimu Francis Katungu Mwangangi.
His church, The Independent
Faith Baptist Church celebrated Mr Mwangangi as a staunch Christian and role
model for the youth. In his sermon, Reverend David Mwanzia challenged the
working class to invest and prepare for their retirement. He also read 1 Samuel
12:2-5 and Titus 2:7 where he called upon the working class to render services
to God’s creation wholeheartedly and be able to stand for integrity. He warned
the youth to shun corruption. Below is an excerpt from the Bible: 1 Samuel 12:3-4
Behold, here I am, witness against me before the Lord, and before his anointed:
whose ox have I taken? Or whose ass have I taken? Or whom have I defrauded? Whom
have I oppressed? Or whose hand have I received any bribe to blind mine eyes
therewith? And I will restore it to you.
And they said,
Thou hast not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither hast thou taken ought of
any man’s hand. –King James Version Bible.
Notable
community leaders were educated by Mr Mwangangi. All major professions were
represented-except the oldest (tongue in cheek joke).
Mr Mwangangi
received many gifts from his pupils both in cash and in kind. In the end, the pupils presented their teacher
a cake baked by them and fed him. It was written: Mr Mwangangi 15.9.2018
Appreciation of good services.
A buffet was
prepared for the pupils to celebrate their teacher. Everyone was free to leave
at their own pleasure.
