Taita International School (TIS)

Taita International School (TIS)
P.O. Box 181-80305
Mwatate, Kenya
Tel: 011 254 43 36062
E-mail: simba_tsavo@yahoo.com

Vision: To be a leading, world-class center for learning

Mission: To prepare well-rounded global leaders

Goal: To inspire, nurture, teach, train, mentor, and equip
for the information-based, technologically-driven 21st century global village.

Taita International School (TIS) is a community-based, privately-owned educational institution consisting of pre-school (ages 3-6), Primary (ages 6-14) and High Schools (ages 14-21). Dr. and Mrs. Majalia founded the school and opened its doors on February 5, 2007. The school is set within the sprawling Taita Hills, which are surrounded by the Tsavo National Park, the largest wildlife preserve in Kenya. TIS is located in a small market town called Mwatate, along the busy Mombasa-Tanzania highway, about 100 km from Mt. Kilimanjaro. (The spectacular Mt. Kilimanjaro is the tallest mountain in Africa and is commonly referred to as the “Ceiling of Africa.”) Mwatate has one of the highest rates of unemployment and HIV/AIDS infections in the country.

Education is the pillar of development in any society. Increasingly, it has been shown that the quality of education is correlated to the development of a community, region, and nation. A majority of the young people in Taita community lack access to quality high school education because of poverty and other harsh social realities. Few professionals are being adequately trained by the existing institutions. This means that the community is being shortchanged in terms of home-grown experts who have the needed know-how and experiences to solve local problems. The over-reliance on outside expertise to bring about development in this area increases dependency and disempowers the locals, making them feel helpless, hopeless, and marginalized. It is towards this endeavor as natives, educators, international scholars, and concerned community members who want to give back that we founded Taita International School.

TIS offers a broad-based 8-4-4 curriculum (the Kenyan system of education) plus a whole lot of talent-nurturing experiences that include: computer literacy, foreign languages, performance arts, intercultural exchanges, outward-bound courses, college preparation, orientation to study abroad, financial literacy and character building. Our mission is to prepare well-rounded global leaders who can effectively negotiate the information-based, technologically driven 21st century. We put a lot more emphasis on character building as we strive for academic excellence. Our goal is to inspire the young to dream big through a process of nurturing, teaching, training, mentoring and role modeling.

What makes TIS special?

TIS provides rigorous instruction in Kenya’s 8-4-4 curriculum, with courses in Mathematics, English, Kiswahili, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Agriculture, Business Education, Computer Literacy, and other subjects. This curriculum prepares students for the national examinations, which are necessary for admission to higher education. The school also provides physical education, drama, music, dance, science fairs, poetry readings, and other co-curricula subjects which are not examinable but are essential to children’s growth and development.

TIS also offers a number of after-school enrichment programs to the underserved children and youth from the local Mwatate community. The target audience comprises of children and youth from 3 years to 20 years of age, who attend various public and private schools within the locale. The after-school enrichment program includes remedial work tuition, computer literacy, library services, reading programs, sports, games and balanced meals. The enrichment program runs throughout the school terms from 6 - 8:00 p.m. in the evenings and the whole day during Kenya’s school holidays in April, August and December. The parents pay a subsidized fee per week for each child. These programs have run for one year.

For the last one year we have served about 100 children with the following services….

Computer Literacy: It is common knowledge that the digital divide is widening. It is imperative that urgent steps are taken to provide access to computer technology to the marginalized. Using one PC and two laptops, we offer computer literacy courses to children, youth and adults who come from the local community. We are striving to get about 20 computers by 2008.

Library Services: TIS offers library services to children and youth ranging from ages 3 years to 20 years who study in different schools but reside within the local communities. The students register by paying a small fee and they are allowed to borrow one book for a week. Hardly any local school has a library and there is no public library in Mwatate town. The reading culture is absent and thus needs to be cultivated. Our aim is to develop the library to include web-based resources (Internet) and other cutting-edge research materials, e.g. databases. We have about 500 books, mainly juvenile literature, donated from our own store, relatives and friends. The literature includes National Geographic, Readers’ Digest, children’s books, novels, encyclopedias, and other educational materials. Our target is to have a library with over 10,000 books and many other library-based resources by early 2008. We seek donations of books and funds to purchase current literature that is relevant to this target audience.

Reading Program: During school vacations, TIS runs an English language reading program to inculcate a reading culture among the children and youth. The children work with a mentor, a youth in high school who helps them to learn how to read. English is the official Kenyan language used in schools and offices, so additional exposure to English is very beneficial for young people.

Sports & Games: TIS offers a strong physical education program. The program includes soccer/football, volleyball, roller skating, netball, basketball, track and field. We also provide instruction in cooperative games such as puzzles and board games. We especially promote sports and games in TIS during the weekends and school vacations.

Education Scholarships: TIS offers educational scholarships to those children affected by HIV/AIDS and poverty. 10% of the current students are under this scholarship scheme.

Benefits Accrued from the Enrichment Program thus far…..

1. These vulnerable children have found a safe haven after school and during school holidays to learn, share, grow and expand their horizons in a nurturing environment.

2. The youth, who mentor the young children, are kept busy and away from drugs,
alcohol, and HIV/AIDS infection. They also get time to read, learn and grow.

3. The health and wellness of this target group has improved because of the balanced meals,
the mental stimulation and spiritual soul food provided in these programs.

4. Parents from the local community can now concentrate on their work during school
holidays, knowing that their children are in a secure development and growth centre.

5. Increased international and intercultural awareness through cultural exchange programs organized by the patron.


Making the Dream Come True:
Dr. & Mrs Mjomba Majalia

Experiences: Combined, over 40 years in teaching & administration of schools & colleges

Individualized Attention: Maximum 30 Students per class

Maria Majalia – School Principal
Dip Ed., ATS 1- Kenya Science Teachers
Math Education – Ohio University

Principal – Taita Academy ‘05-‘07
D/Principal – Taita Academy ‘04-‘05
Teacher of Mathematics & Chemistry from ‘86

Mjomba Majalia – School Patron
PhD., Communication Studies – Ohio University
MA, International Affairs – Ohio University
B. Ed. – Kenyatta University

Lecturer in Communication, Daystar University, Nairobi, Kenya.
Communication Studies Professor at Bloomsburg, Ohio & Monterrey Universities
Principal – Allan Mjomba High School ‘93-‘97
Principal – Dr. Aggrey High School ‘91
D/Principal –Dr. Aggrey & Ngangao‘91-‘93
Teacher of Physics, Physical Education & Biology from ‘83