Grandeur at first village graduation

Teriano (right) with her guests professors Sheldon, Kiyiapi and Kamar. [PHOTOS: HELLEN MISEDA/STANDARD]

By Hellen Miseda

It all started at Canada’s Ryerson University in Toronto on June 6 and climaxed some 12,000km away in remote Loodariak village in Kajiado County.

Teriano Lesancha, 22, an inspirational Maasai girl, graduated at the university at a pompous event that attracted top media houses from Canada because her achievement was billed as too good to be true.

Because of Teriano’s thirst for education, she touched the Ryerson University top academic cream so much that they honoured her by coming all the way to her village to conduct another graduation — the first ever village graduation in Kenya.

Coming from a village where early marriage and teen pregnancy claims young girls before they sit their Kenya Certificate of Primary Education exams, Teriano overcame so many odds to acquire an education.

To present her with her degree certificate in Social Work was the university’s President, Sheldon Levy, who was assisted by Mary Ng, the director of the office of the president.

To grace the occasion from Kenya was the guest of honour Higher Education minister Prof Margaret Kamar, Canadian High Commissioner political counsellor Jamie Bell, presidential aspirant Prof James ole Kiyiapi, Dr David Nkedianye of University of Nairobi and politician Moses Ole Sakuda, among other local leaders.

Colourful ceremony

At noon the procession,  adorned in colourful graduation gowns, walked from behind a bush jumping “a thorn here and there” to the excitement of the crowd.

Leading the magical parade was Prof Jean Golden armed with the Canadian flag followed by  Sheldon, Kamar, Kiyiapi, Mzee Lesancha and his wife and the girl of the moment — Teriano.

The presentation of the award was simple and authentic just as the venue of the event.

In just five minutes, Mary Ng called the president who helped the graduate wear her gown before he presented her with the  degree certificate. To seal the memorable day, the Canadian and Kenyan national anthems were sung alternately.

Just as they do at weddings for the newlyweds, the ceremony was followed by congratulatory and advice-laden messages.

First to make a speech was  Sheldon, who worked in Kenya 37 years ago.

“I was here for three years during the Kenyatta regime. A lot has changed since then. I am glad to bring my wife and the Ryerson community to celebrate the achievements of a young Maasai girl whose thirst for education saw her leave her village and her people and come to a foreign land,” he said as the MC translated the message to Maa for the locals.

To Prof Kamar, Teriano’s story was “truly historic”.

“Teriano is indeed a star in the village,” said the minister, who did her masters and doctorate at the University of Toronto in Canada under scholarship.

Prof Kiyiapi said he was the first Maasai to step in Toronto in search of an education and Teriano must be the first Maasai girl to do the same.

When Teriano took the stage, she oozed confidence, saying: “We are here not to celebrate Teriano’s but to celebrate education. I want to show girls how education can transform a simple Maasai woman into a global leader.”

Then Teriano — who plans to go back to Canada for her master’s degree — launched The Teriano Foundation to educate needy children in the area.

Ryerson University offered 20 scholarships from primary to university to the foundation.
The local leaders too donated cows and goats.