The Queen’s English & God’s Grace: A Visit to Mrs. Karanja

She taught us to write neatly, speak clearly and now she teaches us what grace looks like.

There are teachers you remember for what they taught. And there are those you never forget because of who they were.

Mrs. Karanja did both.

With chalk, charm, and an insistence on the perfect loop in letter ‘g’.

She taught us English, CRE, Home Science, and Art & Craft at Ruai Primary School in the 90s. That’s four subjects. Countless life lessons and one unforgettable woman.

She left Ruai primary school in 1998. Became Head Teacher at Maua Primary, and retired in 2010. But let’s be honest: no one ever really retires from being Mwalimu.

On 26th September 2021

A group of us, now taller, wider, wiser (and with a few grey hairs of our own), returned.

It was time to say what we should’ve said earlier: Thank You. 🙏

For the lessons. The laughter. The grammar corrections. And the stubborn push toward excellence. Her stern looks straightened more than our handwriting.

*Mrs. Karanja (1st right, seated) with Ruai primary teachers* – 1993

She spoke the Queen’s English like she was born in Buckingham Palace. 😂

And expected nothing less from us. Even if your tongue wanted to remain loyal to sheng’ (Nairobi’s street slang in the 90s).

And don’t get her started on handwriting! If your ‘a’ looked like an ‘o’, she’d make you rewrite the whole thing.

On the other hand, if your ‘b’ leaned the wrong way, your whole paragraph was in jeopardy. But oh, how we learned. We even learned how to make a balanced diet on a plastic plate.

We also learned to stitch. A neat hem in Home Science!

*My hand woven embroidery, kept since 1995*

Yet, behind that no-nonsense face was a warm soul. This soul made every classroom feel like a safe place to grow.

Life, hasn’t been a neat essay. Not for her! 😢

In 2011, she survived a stroke. Leaving her speechless and immobile for two years. Life dealt her a blow no red pen could fix.

Think about that: a woman whose life was about speaking and standing could do neither.

*Courtesy call to set agenda for the visit*

The teacher who shaped voices lost hers.

But God, did that thing!

He restored what medicine could not. By His grace, today she walks and speaks again. Not just speaks, but also smiles.

*Mrs. Karanja smiles; sheltered by her sons*

That same gorgeous smile that once told you, “Well done,” now hides a world of pain endured and overcomed.

Then, in 2019 she lost her husband.

Another heavy blow. Another page turned. Another valley walked. She shared her journey with us.

Tears were tucked behind her gorgeous smile. We saw not just a retired teacher, but a masterclass in resilience.

We sat with her.

Laughed with and listened to her. All we saw was light. Quiet, humble, and resilient light.

We reminisced about compositions and cooking practicals. We shared a meal. We swapped stories.

We gave her a token.

A tiny echo of the big difference she made in our lives. Small in value, but enormous in meaning.

In a world where many are celebrated only when they’re gone.

We chose to go back. We wanted to say thank you while we still could. We wanted to honour the woman who taught us how to hold a pen.

She taught us how to boil an egg. Perhaps unknowingly, she taught us how to hold on to faith.

Mrs. Karanja, you taught with chalk and conviction. On this day, you taught us through grace and endurance.

What do you call someone who…

Teaches, mothers, uplifts, and then endures life’s battles with a smile? 😊 We call her Mwalimu.

Mwalimu, you taught us with chalk and charts. You now teach us with your life.

We see you. We honour you. And we thank God for you.

“I will forget my complaint, I will change my expression, and smile.” Job 9:27

📚Read other inspiring teacher stories:

👉 Click the links above or check the “Alumni Stories” category on my blog.

💬 I’d love to hear from you

Did you ever sit in Mrs. Karanja’s class? What do you remember most? Her lessons, her laugh, or her legendary insistence on handwriting?

Share your memories, tributes, or prayers in the comments below. Let’s celebrate her together. 👇🏽📝

#BeingResilient #ComfortingYourself #Queen’sEnglish #Gratitude #StrokeRecovery #TeacherTribute

Joseph Ngaara is inspired by people’s life experiences. Do you have an intriguing life story and need to share your triumph or tragedy? Email: j.mungai@hotmail.co.uk