A few days ago, alumni of Kaaga Girls’ School in Meru County set a precedent by what they did for their former Principal Gladys Gacheri Gichoga. The retired administrator received veritable honours for moulding more than 20,000 girls for around 27 years. The old girls honoured her for her transformative leadership style, good governance, selfless service and strict mien.
One thing that arrested my attention was the fact that they also announced the launch of a mentorship programme targeting the girls as a way of giving back. There comes a time when we should remember the great institutions that moulded us.
In a larger sense, we should spare time as individuals or through reunion of old students and give back by sharing money or giving in kind. Generous gestures work wonders. We can deploy our God-given abilities to our former schools.
We should give back to our alma mater because it is the best way to tap bountiful benefits and attract favour. Through this, we depict values of empathy, philanthropy and altruism.
We support our alma mater because they are our sure sources of pride. They give us a sense of belonging. Somewhat, I am acutely aware most schools find it hard to bring old students on board because they lack mobilization strategies. In these technological times, old students form WhatsApp groups based on the years they sat their final exams.
However in most cases, we are keen to plug-in Form One but forget to release Form Four in style. Yet the way they leave the school will determine how they will think and talk about it once they walk out the gate. While throwing them parties, they will have a chance to mend fences where they might have gone wrong. Therefore, the emotive point of parting ways should be replete with pomp and complete with celebration.
Moreover, before they leave to cope with life out of school, it is important to pick all their contacts. The school should plan to update them on major events such as AGMs. They should elect their leaders. Those who have phones at home can start a WhatsApp group.
Mentorship, sponsorship and scholarship are part of the programmes they can venture into. Some of these things are not new. We have schools with old students who are supporting programmes such as talks and training of students. Old students also support capacity building and bonding programmes for staff. Some are generous enough to sponsor Orphaned and Vulnerable Children (OVCs). Old students with rich networks organize scholarships for students both locally and internationally.
So when schools are formulating, writing and reviewing their 5-year strategic plans, they should strive to involve old students. This can in turn open their eyes to start and implement important projects. After need-based-assessments, old students can identify projects to move the school forward. Likewise, they can organize and mobilize others to embark on serious projects like book donations.
By Victor Ochieng’
The writer is an editor and public speaker. vochieng.90@gmail.com.
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