- From the narrow alleys of Kibera to a Mathematics classroom in North Carolina, Christopher Amollo Onyango rose through resilience and education
- The Maseno University graduate earned a Second Class Honours degree before completing a master’s in Pure Mathematics in 2024
- His breakthrough came after a high-stakes interview at the Sankara Hotel in Westlands, where only a handful of teachers were selected out of 700
Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
As Benjamin Franklin once said, diligence is the mother of good luck and for Christopher Amolo Onyango, both hard work and persistence shaped an inspirational journey that still feels unreal.
Source: Original
For Christopher Amolo Onyango, the journey from the narrow alleys of Kibera to a mathematics classroom in the US still feels surreal.
How did Christopher’s journey begin in Kibera?
Today, the Maseno University graduate teaches Mathematics at North Edgecombe High School under Edgecombe County Public Schools in North Carolina.
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But his story begins in Kibera, one of Nairobi’s largest informal settlements, where he grew up with his elder sister and younger brother in what he describes as a difficult environment.
Growing up in hardship, Christopher says his background shaped his outlook on life, pushing him to focus on his education, not only to change his own future but also to inspire others.
“We really, really suffered a lot. So that really gave me the motivation to work hard, be resilient, be patient, you know, pray for what I wanted. And I said, you know, the fact that I came from a humble background, I can turn everything around and, you know, make a bright future and be a motivation to many who come from the same place,” he told TUKO.co.ke.
After completing his bachelor’s degree in Education at Maseno University with Second Class Honours, he felt that one degree was not enough.
“I said, wow, there’s so many people who have bachelor’s degrees. What if I do a master’s degree? So maybe I can just increase my chances of being employed. That is when I decided to enroll for a master’s degree in pure mathematics, which, you know, you know, it’s not an easy thing, but I gave it my all because I wanted to be a motivation to people, not just back home, but everywhere across the globe,” he stated.
Source: UGC
He enrolled for a master’s degree in Pure Mathematics, and through determination and hard work, he graduated in 2024.
How did Christopher’s opportunity to teach in the US come up?
Around that time, an opportunity arose through YCM Solutions, an agency recruiting Kenyan teachers for American school districts.
He began the process in 2023, attending interviews as he prepared to complete his master’s degree, revealing that there were times he felt he was close to securing a position, but things did not work out.
“My story is a bit unique because it revolved around being patient, hardworking, resilient, having hope, because I started this journey in 2023, when I was just about to finish my master’s. And, you know, we had some school districts looking for teachers. And then I did some field interviews here and there. And I was not able to travel in the year 2023 because, you know, it was not God’s plan,” Christopher narrated.
Christopher chose to push on and ensured all his documents were ready, including foreign credential evaluation papers, passport and driver’s licence. He waited for the right opportunity.
That moment came at Sankara Hotel in Westlands, where nearly 700 teachers had gathered for interviews. Only about 12 or 13 positions were available.
“Having waited for about eight months without getting an opportunity, I said, this is my time. And I gave it all my best. I gave it all my best, and I was like, I’m going to do this, and I’m going to get it, despite the fact that we are so many people who have been patient, have been praying over this, and I know I’m going to get it,” the teacher revealed.
Despite the odds, he walked into the interview room beaming with confidence since he was prepared, adding that he gave it his best.
What surprised him most was that he received the call while interviews were still ongoing, setting in motion events that would forever change his life story.
“I did the interview on a Saturday, and a day later, I received a call. This was a congratulatory message to me that, you know, Edgecombe County Public School has decided to hire you,” he said.
Was Christopher’s travel to the US a smooth process?
From that point, everything moved fast and even as his departure faced a setback, but like it were fate, everything seemed to fall in place.
On the day he was scheduled to travel with a group of nine other teachers, a strike disrupted flights at the airport.
Instead of giving up, the teachers encouraged one another. A week later, they finally boarded their flight.
Christopher flew via Doha with Qatar Airways, marking his first international trip, a journey that lasted about 20 hours, with a stopover in Qatar before proceeding to Washington Dulles International Airport.
In the US, nothing had prepared him for the experience, pointing out that the well-maintained highways, the absence of roadside hawkers and the disciplined traffic left a strong impression.
“I was like, am I in heaven or what am I seeing? When the plane was coming down, you know, the kind of buildings, the structure, the ambience, just as the plane was, you know, landing, I was like, where is this place? You know, do people live here? Is it heaven?
I was so amazed. To me, it was a second heaven landing in the USA. Just coming from the shacks of Kibera slums, you know, it was two different worlds apart for me. And the first thing I did was just to appreciate God for whatever he did throughout the journey,” Christopher recalled.
How has Christopher impacted learners in the US?
In North Carolina, he now teaches Grades 9 through 12 Mathematics, revealing that he chose to teach in the US because he wanted a new challenge and to prove himself beyond Kenya.
“I always felt I have more to offer, even beyond just teaching in Kenya. And I wanted to show the world what I am made of,” he said with determination in his voice.
In the classroom, the teacher says he blends a unique style of traditional teaching approaches from Kenya with technology-driven methods used in American schools.
“I try to make math more enjoyable for them. And I think they like how I present the content and the concepts to them. Hmm, I do integrate a Kenyan or African perspective in my teaching style. What we call the traditional way and I blend it with the, you know, technological way. So I do both. So I can also say that the training we underwent in Kenya is very, very helpful. It is efficient and it prepares us well to any system, not just in this country, but all over the world,” he explained.
Since he arrived at North Edgecombe High School, he says student performance has improved significantly, and for the first time, three students attained Level Five, the highest proficiency level in Math III.
Christopher’s work hasn’t gone unnoticed, as he was also recognised at the school level for recording a significant improvement in results.
Among his students, one learner’s story stands out as she had a 4% projection of passing her test and doubted herself.
“She was like, I’m not going to pass the test. But eventually she passed the test, you know, so with a 4% projection and passing the test, that was amazing for me,” he fondly recounted.
Source: UGC
What advice does he have for Kenyans?
Like many immigrants, Christopher faced challenges adjusting, pointing out that students initially struggled with his accent.
He also experienced culture shock, especially the level of freedom students have in expressing themselves, but these have only strengthened his resolve, sharing plans to stay long-term.
Beyond teaching, he is developing a digital workbook aimed at simplifying mathematical concepts and improving student performance.
Christopher hopes to scale his brainchild across the district and eventually beyond North Carolina, explaining his desire to make learning easier for students.
“I’m trying to make the concepts look easier for students, you know. I’m trying to really, really make them feel like math is a subject that you can understand. So I’m doing that and hopefully it will go well,” Christopher pointed out.
To fellow Kenyans considering a similar path, the educator offers simple advice rooted in his own journey from Kibera to America.
“I would love to tell Kenyans who are considering to come to the US as teachers that it is worth it. Have your plan, dedicate yourself, and do all it takes for you to be here. I mean, you’re not going to regret anything. It is worth it,” he concluded.
Source: UGC
How is a Kenyan teacher shining in Thailand?
In a different report, Nickson Tanui said he never imagined he would one day build a stable life as a teacher in Thailand.
The Criminology and Security Studies graduate told TUKO.co.ke that his path was marked by hardship and setbacks before he found stability abroad.
He recalled that his life changed in 2003 after losing his father, leaving his mother as the sole provider.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
