Esther Mureke

Service is the unmovable centrepiece of Esther Mureke’s life. Her philosophy on serving others is best explained through the example of tree planting. If Esther planted a tree today, she would water it, ensure it basks in the loving glow of the sun and watch keenly for any signs of withering. Esther has grown many ‘trees’ by implementing service through the President’s Award Scheme. She has also mentored many ‘tree growers’ in her time as a teacher. Her story challenges us to zealously give our time and energy in the service of others.  

Upbringing and studying a foreign language

Esther Mureke’s roots are in Nyeri where she grew up with a problem-solving father and fiercely generous mother. She attended Primary School at Moi Complex from 1987 to 1995. Thereafter she went on to Mary Hill Girls High School from 1996–to 1999. Esther’s father worked as a District Public Health Officer for the Ministry of Health in Kiambu County. After school, Esther would sit in his office. She watched intently as he exercised discernment to tackle the general public’s issues. From her mother, Esther observed potent self-sacrifice. She adopted this trait which led her to become an avid lover of community. 

With the encouragement of a German teacher and her father, Esther took the road less travelled and studied German from Form 1 to 4. She became one of Nyeri’s rare German speakers. 

Becoming a teacher 

The next step in Esther’s education journey was at Kangumo Teachers Training College. Here she advanced her love for German by studying to be a German teacher. She additionally trained to be a P. E. and English teacher and graduated with a flying first class. 

 The world of teaching opened itself up to Esther as she returned to Maryhill to do her teaching training. The headteacher – an admirer of Esther’s enthusiasm while in High School – requested her personally. Instead of dissuading her from teaching, her practice helped her recognise the impact that her words and actions could have on her students. 

Esther travelled around Kenya teaching in locations such as Meru and pursued her degree at Kenyatta University between 2005-2008 before settling at Nyeri School to teach German.  

Introducing President’s Award at Nyeri High School 

While teaching at Nyeri High, Esther’s colleague drew her attention to the President’s Award programme. President’s Award champions non-formal education for young people by engaging them in service, skills and physical recreation. In 2010, Esther coordinated President’s Award for students at Nyeri High. She hoped that it would be a platform to develop vital life skills and infuse an unwavering love for service into her students.  

Mentorship at Mathari

As part of the service aspect of the award, Esther facilitated her students in giving their time and energy to volunteer at Mathari Primary and donate supplies. Despite its physical proximity to Nyeri High, students at Mathari had never qualified to attend their neighbouring High School. In June 2010, Esther set out to change that by taking her students to teach and mentor Mathari students in classes 5-8 every Friday at 4 pm. Esther encouraged her students to pay a cook every month with their pocket money as part of a feeding programme at Mathari.  

In 2012, the first-ever Mathari student was admitted to Nyeri High. Esther’s students rallied around him providing financial and material support so that he could remain at the school. Upon returning to Mathari Primary, the boy was met with an outpouring of jubilation. The historic moment was an illustration of the true hearts of service that Esther nurtured in her students. In 2013, the second Mathari student joined Nyeri High. This was only one of many successful community projects that Esther facilitated for her students including partnerships with King’ong’o maximum prison and Outspan hospital.  

A Rare Award 

After 11 years of unstinting commitment to her students, environmental and social initiatives in the Nyeri community, Esther received an award for the ages – the Duke of Edinburgh International Award. The award was for her outstanding support of the young people undertaking the President’s Award under her guidance. The award is taken in 130 countries around the world and has around 200,000 volunteers just like Esther supporting it. Only 100 volunteers were awarded globally – a true testament to Esther’s incredible work. 

More recently, Esther was the only African panellist in an international panel on youth and access to the outdoors. This is just one more indication that she is unafraid of standing up and standing out. Esther prides herself in putting Kenyan German teachers on the map and showing that an ordinary person can make extraordinary choices that impact the world.

Looking to the Future 

In the future, Esther hopes that her students will continue to be community conscious. She hopes that they will embody a hummingbird spirit and see the value of even small actions in achieving impact. She hopes to continue her work in mentorship and encourage others to scale community projects such as the ones she has dedicated herself to for more than a decade. 

Esther Mureke shows us that we can turn the tides of the world by willing our hearts to beat relentlessly for others – and that is why she is the epitome of #KeExcellence.