I was just two months into my internship when the second ALiVE regional summit came calling. I was eager to meet the regional teams whom I had only known but through emails. I wanted to understand life skills and values deeper. I desired to interact with policy players and sieve into the ALiVE team’s wisdom into systems shift. My many miles journey began with a mess, but I missed nothing in the end. My name is Janet Musyoka.
The dream Journey
Roosters crowing, skies rumbling, and me, bright-eyed and ready to conquer the Action for Life Skills and Values in East Africa (ALiVE) Summit in Isiolo. I thought I had it all figured out. I got a call from my team leader, cool as ever, saying, “We’ll pick you up at Makutano junction, please be there in time.” A golden chance! I thought to myself, “This is my moment to shine. I would be early, waiting with a smile, to be picked,” I promised.
Then, the storm hit hard! It started raining. The kind of rain that does not fall, it pounds! The drenched Mwea roads know no matatu. When it rains even motorbikes disappear. It took forever, but I finally flagged one down. The rider looked at me like I had just asked for directions to Mordor, nonetheless we set off.
Eventually, I roved into Makutano junction; muddy, sweaty, and not at all the punctual hero I had envisioned. My team was already there, giving me that look of concern and probably thinking, “Did she wrestle a camel on her way here?”
I learned patience and respect as the team leader calmly allowed me to board. I noted with a ton of remorse that some of the passengers in the bus had begun their journeys at midnight only to come and camp at Makutano, waiting for the late intern! I should have called to state my state. I should have communicated clearly without offering uncertain hope of my arrival time. Problem-solving 101, score zero! I should have arranged to be picked up on the second trip. Despite the chaos, the ditches, the rain, and the drain, the ALiVE Summit was worth it.
Arrival at Isiolo
Just when our journey had left us weary, the natural world stepped in to rejuvenate our spirits. The summit was hosted at a hotel in the middle of the Buffalo Springs National Reserve and the sight of the wildlife quickly erased any traces of exhaustion. As our team gathered to witness the stunning sights: a cheetah gracefully patrolling its domain, gazelles bouncing across the plains, towering giraffes nibbling at treetops, and playful waterbucks frolicking in the distance—their tired faces lit up with wonder. It was nature’s own energy boost, a wild reminder of the beauty that exists even when life’s journey gets murky.
Then Came the Summit!
From the moment I set foot in the conference hall on the morning of March 11,2025, I knew this summit was going to be more than just another professional gathering. It felt like a movement. The Action for Life Skills and Values in East Africa (ALiVE) had organized its second regional summit in Isiolo, Kenya. The summit brought together a dynamic group of civil society organizations (ALiVE partners), researchers, policymakers, and community advocates from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Zanzibar. The discussions were focused on the pressing issues in translating systems change to impact on children and communities. The summit also celebrated the five-year milestones of the ALiVE initiative.
The present powerhouse of minds unpacked ALiVE’s theory of change and explored how national-level shifts trickle down to real impact in schools and homes. Dr. John Mugo, ALiVE Principal Investigator and the Executive Director of Zizi Afrique Foundation, made the introductory remarks. He stated a four-point purpose of the summit: take stock, align, bond and celebrate.
Isiolo County’s Deputy Governor who officially opened the summit, welcomed participants to Isiolo and challenged us to ensure that education addresses the needs of local and pastoralist economies. He also lobbied for deeper collaboration between ALiVE and other agencies, “ALiVE will be alive not to leave anyone behind. If you’re alive, you should be in ALiVE,” he said.
With the vibe set, we had dived into group reflections, celebrating the gains and pains through ALiVE’s half a decade of operation. Dr. Mary Goretti Nakabugo, ALiVE Co-Principal investigator and the Executive Director at Uwezo Uganda, grounded us in ALiVE’s systems change model. She likened it to a four-legged stool – held up by curriculum, assessment, teacher training, and parental involvement. “Take one leg out and the stool gets wobbly!” She noted.
The power panel praised milestones and poked gaps while presenting possible partnership areas around life skills and values (also known as core-competencies in Kenya and generic skills in Uganda).
“For a long time, we only valued basic research. We are not taking serious research on practice,” noted Prof. Jackline Nyere of Kenyatta University.
ALiVE embraces a collaborative approach in working with government and other education stakeholders.
“Collaboration with government implies aligning to the mandate of the targeted institutions. It is useful for non-state actors to align their planning with the national government budgetary cycle,” emphasized Dr. Purity Ngina, the CEO, National Gender and Equality Commission.
Day two of the summit opened in the field. We visited Elsa Primary School located just a few kilometres outside Isiolo town. After the warm performances, the learners settled down in class while we spoke with the parents. “We appreciate the support from ALiVE and other stakeholders who contribute to real change, not just in the learning outcomes but in our learners’ attitudes,” observed a teacher. The values lessons flow between school and home. “We teach our children responsibility at home; like washing their own uniforms and helping in the kitchen garden. It’s our way of supporting what they learn in school,” said a parent.
It was a powerful reminder that while assessments matter, the real magic of learning lives in context, culture, and community support. By the time we left, we weren’t just summit attendees, we were a community, courtesy of the exposure and the connections made.
A celebratory dinner was a perfect way to wind down after intense days of discussions. As the sun dipped below the horizon, we gathered around a long table, the air filled with laughter, music, and the hum of shared experiences. The delicious food went down with stories of triumphs, challenges, and dreams for a ‘more ALiVE’ future. It was a celebration of the connections we had made, and the joint journeys shared in pushing systems change in education sectors across East Africa. I am ALiVE!
