Kenyan Teacher Receives Award From Royal Family  

A photo of Esther Mureke, a German teacher at Nyeri High school
A photo of Esther Mureke, a German teacher at Nyeri High school taken on September 11, 2020.
Esther Mureke

Esther Mureke, a German teacher at Nyeri High School has been announced as the recipient of the prestigious Duke of Edinburgh International Award. 

In a statement released by the Presidents Awards Kenya on Sunday, December 5, it was revealed that Mureke was among the few people in the world to receive the award which is organized by the royal family.

Additionally, Mureke was recognised for working as a volunteer in mentoring and supporting the youth through various initiatives in her community.

A poster announcing Esther Mureke as the recipient of the Duke of Edinburgh International Award on December 5, 2021.
A poster announcing Esther Mureke as the recipient of the Duke of Edinburgh International Award on December 5, 2021.
The Presidents Award

"We are delighted to announce that the president’s awards volunteer is being celebrated today.  As the world marks the International day for volunteers, Esther Mureke is set to receive a special delivery from an unlikely source.

"For more than 11years Mureke has been at the forefront of efforts to support the community’s youth, through her work with International award and presidents award in Kenya. We congratulate Esther on this huge recognition, which represents hundreds of other volunteers in Kenya," read the statement.

On her part, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the award in Kenya, Nellie Munala, congratulated the German teacher for her recognition stating that she had a positive impact on the lives of her students.

“Esther has demonstrated self-determination and served her immediate community and beyond selflessly. A true spirit of the African saying ‘I am because you are!” Munala stated.

Among the prestigious gifts, the Kenyan teacher will receive is a letter from Prince Edward, the last born son of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and a commemorative coin of the Duke of Edinburgh.

"Mureke is among 100 exceptional volunteers globally who will be receiving a special thank you, including a letter of thanks from HRH Prince Edward and a commemorative coin marking The Duke of Edinburgh’s life and legacy," read the statement in part. 

The award by the Royal Family celebrated the service of the late Prince Phillip also known as the Duke of Edinburgh who passed away on April 9.

The 2021 prestigious award also recognises people who offer themselves to serve their communities through volunteer programs. This year’s award recipients were also named as countries all over the world marked the international day for volunteers.

"This international Volunteer day 2021 as we mark the centenary of our Founder, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh,  has partnered with The Royal Mint to celebrate just a few of the inspiring Award volunteers worldwide," the event organizers stated.

An image of the late Duke of Edinburgh
An image of the late Duke of Edinburgh
Samir Hussein