Lighting the path: My Journey as an EFAC Teacher Mentor

By GACHUIRI TARCHISIO, Teacher Mentor, Kagumo High School

“The greatest reward of teaching is watching students become leaders.”

The Call that Changed Everything

When EFAC first approached Kagumo High School to identify a contact teacher, there was only one EFAC scholar in the school. As the teacher in charge of scholarships and sponsorships, the responsibility naturally came to me. At the time, I was already supporting more than 140 sponsored students, but I gladly took on one more.

What began as another responsibility soon became a calling.

Long before joining EFAC, I had developed a passion for mentoring young people. Since 2007, I had been guiding students not only in academics but also in making wise life choices. Over the years, I became especially drawn to supporting learners from disadvantaged backgrounds whose potential is often overlooked. EFAC gave me the opportunity to turn that passion into meaningful action.

Gachuiri Tarchisio (centre) with fellow EFAC Teacher Mentors during a recent Teacher Mentor Conference.

The Difference EFAC Makes

What makes EFAC different is its long-term commitment to every scholar. While many scholarship programs end their support after high school, EFAC continues walking alongside its scholars as they transition into higher education, careers, and adulthood. That continuity transforms education from a single opportunity into a lifelong foundation for success.

I witnessed this firsthand through Frankline, the very first EFAC scholar I mentored. When he joined Form One, he was quiet and unsure of himself. But with every school term, every workshop, and every mentorship opportunity, I watched him grow into a confident young leader.

His transformation was remarkable. He successfully campaigned for and was elected school captain before excelling in his final examinations. Yet what made me proudest was seeing him return to mentor younger EFAC scholars. His journey had come full circle, demonstrating the lasting impact of EFAC's commitment to developing leaders who, in turn, inspire and uplift others.

Gachuiri Tarchisio with EFAC Director of Programs, Beth Wokabi, and the Principal of Kagumo High School during a recent chapter visit.

Growing Alongside My Students

Mentorship has transformed me just as much as it has transformed my students.

Through EFAC, I have learned from fellow teacher mentors, professional mentors, and EFAC staff. These interactions have deepened my understanding of child protection, empathy, student wellbeing, and the diverse challenges young people face.

Each experience has made me a more compassionate teacher and a better mentor.

When I look at the scholars we mentor, I see Kenya's future - bold, capable, and full of promise.

As youth advocate Josh Shipp once said,

"Every child is one caring adult away from being a success story."

Every scholar who succeeds reminds us that mentorship is not simply an act of kindness - it is an investment in the future of our nation.

Gachuiri Tarchisio with EFAC scholars during a recent chapter visit at Kagumo High School.

The Lasting Impact of Mentorship

The journey of every scholar is a reminder that potential exists everywhere it simply needs the right opportunity to flourish. As teachers, mentors, and communities, we have the privilege of helping young people discover what they are capable of.

I am grateful to be part of a journey that continues to transform lives, one scholar at a time..