Due to popular culture, and all the heartwarming Hollywood Christmas movies that I watched growing up in Kenya, I have become acquainted with American festivities and this also includes Thanksgiving. Historically this is a time that Americans celebrate with family over elaborate meals such as stuffed turkey to commemorate a day back in Fall 1619 when English Pilgrims and Native Americans shared a celebratory meal together in Plymouth Massachusetts.
A controversial holiday
However, according to a few articles that I’ve read, including one in The Daily Targum, the holiday stays as a reminder of the systemic racism that Native Americans continue to face in the United States.
The conversation around racism in America has been an ongoing one. Recently however, the Black Lives Matter movement went global following the death of George Floyed in March earlier this year (2020). I believe that this one incident in particular United people Globally as there was a spotlight on social race injustices faced by people of colour.
Making a global conversation relevant locally
At Nova Pioneer, we also felt the need to be part of this conversation as it is an important one to have. In an effort to bring it closer home to the continent, the focus of our conversations was on scars of systemic racism with the backdrop of colonialism sadly perpetrated, to some degree, by leaders of today.
Being a school network on the mission to develop leaders and innovators will impact the African century, it was paramount for us as a community of teammates and students to contemplate on this pertinent issue.
To that end, Nova Pioneer set up three voluntary contemplation sessions between July and November that addressed our teammates’ understanding of racism in general, unpacking systemic racism and finally taking action against systemic racism by defining an anti racist Novaneer.
A tough but necessary conversation
Being a facilitator in these sessions was not easy – the stories were hard, painful and sobering albeit necessary. The stories bonded me to my teammates like never before. I walked in their shoes. I had a rare and humbling opportunity to get a glimpse of the covert struggle with the daily challenges of systemic racism faced particularly by my South African teammates.
Understanding the power of privilege due to systemic racism made me grateful for the liberties that I enjoy in my home country. It made me thankful for some of the right steps that the leaders took in independent Kenya in 1963 that many generations such as myself enjoy today.
Now these conversations did not for a fact change the world around me, BUT they ignited a spark. The hushed conversations came to the light. The mistrust and insecurities were raised openly. Minds began to transform as hearts softened.
An important first step
Did we arrive at a complete solution? No, but we chose to start the journey of a thousand steps in the right direction I believe.
For that reason, this Thanksgiving, I chose to be grateful to be part of an organisation that creates a brave space for these conversations. I chose to be grateful to be living in a year where a pandemic has totally changed the trajectory of how education will be delivered for generations to come. As a Nova parent, I chose to be grateful for the sacrifices made by every teacher to continue to deliver world class education despite the personal inconveniences that came with it.
More reasons to be grateful
To top it all I decided to share 12 heart warming quotes from some of my teammates who share their gratitude for the year 2020. To Hope. To Light. To a new Africa. As Wangari Maathai aptly put it, ‘I will be a hummingbird, I will do the best I can.’
Martha Tubei ~ Eldoret Girls
‘I have deep gratitude to supportive,caring,dedicated and loving teammates who have shown resilience and patience in service delivery through the stormy sea of COVID _19.’
Phoebe Muthungu ~ Tatu Primary
‘I am grateful that learning never stopped in Nova Pioneer after schools closed down in March. I am also thankful for the fact that it’s been possible for me to keep in close contact with my students despite not being able to see them physically. Virtual learning has added so much value to my learners and I am very proud of what they’ve achieved this year.’
Grace Mukunzi ~ Tatu Girls
‘I am grateful that during the pandemic I had the opportunity to plug into some free courses that Harvard University was offering. The courses were on Adolescent Mental Health during and after a pandemic. The insights have helped me interact better with our students and support them during the transition back to school. I also had time to do community service : planted some trees at the Ngong Road Sanctuary, made marvins for an old people’s home.’
Pascal Ombango ~ Eldoret Boys
‘I am grateful that I am an employee of this giant organisation called Nova Pioneer. With all that is going around, Nova has continued to overcome the storms of the pandemic and I am personally grateful because Nova continues to believe in my contributions as an employee and it’s because of that that I am able to put food on the table for my family.’
Sammy Kegode ~ Global Brand Team
‘During this period and the whole working-from-home situation, I am extremely grateful for the effort that my wife continually puts in making our home a “home.” If it was only up to me there would not be nearly as much love, warmth, laughter, tension-and-release moments😅, visits, appliances😂, freshness, vegetables, and sufurias at home as there are now.’
Victor Kwambai ~ Operations Team
‘Despite the corona pandemic, I have appreciated the quality time that I have spent with my family and God which has resulted in better communication, spiritual growth and good mental health. Also, in terms of money management, I have learnt to do cost control, reduction of wastage and unnecessary spend.’
Robert Omondi ~ External Relations Team
‘I am thankful for a community of friends who have turned to family. My idea of what home and family means has evolved over the years and it now encompasses all the people who I share a blood genotype with and those who have been kind and gracious enough to let me stand on their shoulders during the most trying times.’
Benard Ongwae ~ Tatu Boys
‘ Inasmuch as the pandemic period has been a period of stagnation to the majority of us, I am grateful that I have been able to make some significant growth. The opportunity to shift to work online, accorded to me by Nova Pioneer, has made me appreciate what solutions technology can offer to the universe, in such difficult times. The belief my manager had in me kept me going, and made me conquer a few more territories. The opportunities and support that the teammates I work with directly, accorded me another great opportunity of growth. I am forever grateful to the Nova Pioneer family.’
Karl Machado ~ Transport Team
‘It’s been 3years now since I joined the Nova family and what a joy it has been. I am especially grateful for the countless learning opportunities that I have received in those 3 years which have not only helped me grow in my career but also as an individual. The Nova Culture principles have guided,moulded and sharpened me professionally and personally and I pray for more and better days ahead.’
Bella Egessa ~ Brand and Admissions Team
‘I am grateful for my family. It has been an emotionally challenging year for everyone but what has been keeping me sane and sparking joy in my life is the random Whatsapp group calls with my siblings. We could literally be speaking about nothing but that’s all I need to put a smile on my face again. We have bonded so much this year because we have the gift of time which is something I’m also grateful for, time to reconnect, rejuvenate and realign with my purpose.’
Anne Marende ~ Athi River Primary
‘First and foremost,I am grateful to God for protecting me up to this far. All thanks also goes to all Novaneer teammates, parents and my family members for the support, love, comfort, guidance throughout the year. Be blessed.’
Emmanuel Kamau ~ Global Fee Support Team
‘Like most of us, COVID-19 made me more grateful for having good health. I am grateful for working from home which enabled me to build self-discipline and as a result, I have been able to achieve more than I would have in a normal year. It also enabled me to spend more time with my family since I could work from anywhere. I am also grateful that I was able to form new friendships and connections with my South African teammates as we worked together to ensure that Nova Pioneer continued to serve our families with excellence.’
