Former pupils of an Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) centre in, Kakame village, Homa Bay County on Wednesday, April, 12 surprised their teacher with a lavish bash.
This was during the celebration of Eucabeth Kaudo for her dedicated persistence and resilience in service to the community.
For three decades, Eucabeth earned Ksh3,000 to keep going. She neither lost hope nor looked back, although her meagre pay was irregular and unpredictable.
Eucabeth, a mother of eight, joined Miyuga Primary School as an ECDE teacher in 1990 where she nurtured hundreds of boys and girls from the community.
Her children together with her former pupils noticed the need to celebrate their mother and mentor.
They mobilized resources and reached out to friends and neighbours to give her a memorable retirement party.
“As a family, we know our parents deserve better, but this is the beginning of how to appreciate excellence in service,” stated Philip Kaudo, a family member.
Kaudo’s former learners appreciated her role in transforming and shaping their lives to suit in the current society.
“Today, I celebrate my teacher and I am happy because she nurtured me. It is true, good work never goes unrewarded. Today, we appreciate her role in shaping our lives,” said Wickliffe Owino, one of her pioneer pupils.
One of her sons tickled the crowd when he revealed the amount his mother was earning as salary. “My mother taught me in ECDE and I didn’t know what she earned as salary until I became chairman of Board of Management (BOM) of the same school almost 26 years later. I was shocked to learn it was Ksh3,000. I lost words because I couldn’t tell what she earned 26 years ago,” explained his fourth-born child, Isdore.
The former ECDE teacher told the gathering that she was happy to have served the community as a teacher.
"Teaching is a profession and a calling that calls for a lot of sacrifice and dedication in service delivery. I'm grateful for the organizers of this event, God bless you," Kaudo told the gathering.
Kaudo began her teaching journey shortly after getting an opportunity to join Kitale Diocese for specialized training in Early Childhood Development Education.
Even though she gave her all in service delivery as a teacher, she still believes the government could have done better in Early Childhood Development Education.
Towards the end of the event, guests, family members and old pupils presented gifts and cash in recognition of her exemplary work.
The gifts included clothes, kitchen wares, furniture and household items. Her children awarded her a retirement package of Ksh100, 000 together with a 10,000-litre water tank and their father also received a package of Ksh100, 000.
