Championing Child Protection and School Leadership in Meru

In the heart of Meru County, Mr. Godana Kimanzi is not just an education officer, he’s a passionate advocate for children’s rights and better school leadership. As the Sub-County Director of Education, he recently took a bold step to deepen his impact by completing two self-paced courses with eMsingi:

•   Certificate in Child Rights and Protection
•   Certificate in Educational Management, Leadership, and Administration

For him, it was personal and urgent.

Why He Took the Courses

Every day, Mr. Kimanzi sees the challenges many children face: abuse, child labor, neglect, and rising cases of teen pregnancies.

“I knew I needed to do more,” he says. “Not just in my role as a leader, but as someone who can speak up for these children.”

When he came across the course online, it felt like the right next step. And it was he enrolled immediately, then took up the second course to strengthen how he supports school heads across Meru.

Learning While Leading

Balancing two courses with full-time responsibilities wasn’t easy but Mr. Kimanzi made it work.

“I’d study early in the morning or late at night. The content was engaging, practical, and easy to apply,” he shares.

With support from his family and colleagues, he stayed committed and focused throughout.

Transformative Lessons

The learning left a lasting mark. He now approaches cases of child abuse and teen pregnancy with more clarity and confidence especially after diving deep into the Sexual OEenses Act. He also began seeing child labor through a broader lens, understanding that the responsibility to protect children isn’t just for social workers, it belongs to all of us.

But perhaps the biggest shift was personal:

“Now, I listen more. I pay attention to children not just what they say, but how they feel.”

A New Kind of Leadership

Mr. Kimanzi isn’t just using his new knowledge to enforce policies, he’s using it to lead with empathy, mentor school heads more effectively, and advocate for inclusive, safer learning environments.

“Every child is a divine appointment,” he says. “We must protect them, empower them, and make sure no one is left behind.”

His story is a reminder that meaningful change starts with those brave enough to learn, grow, and lead differently.