"But you, be strong and do not lose courage, for there is reward for your work." 2 Chronicles 15:7

"Pastor John"John N., an optimistic 15-year-old in Class 8, joined Mawewa School many years ago when it was a preschool located in the Believers Center Church in Jangwani. He remembers being in Mrs. Mwangi’s PP1 class and playing with toys on the floor of the space allotted to the children. John has two younger brothers, also students at Mawewa, and three older sisters who dropped out of school. John’s family still lives in the same house in Jangwani as when he first started school. He is determined to be the first of his siblings to finish his education and help his family have a better life.John finds Class 8 challenging, and that is just the way he likes it. Social Studies is his favorite subject, and he spends a lot of time reading to stay ahead. John and his classmates have discovered that in working together, they can help each other get further. He says that they all see improvement in their grades, behavior, and ability to work as a team. He credits the class teacher, Ms. Njeru, for guiding them toward their goal.John has a passion for God’s Word and has earned the nickname "Pastor John," because he loves to preach during the class daily devotions. His relationship with the Lord has helped him understand himself better and shape his plans for the future. John has a passion for cycling on his father’s bike and finds it freeing and exhilarating - he likes to dream about being a pro-rider someday. In the meantime, his major goal is to do well on the KCPE exams and move on to High School in 2017.

The Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) is a certificate awarded to students after completing the approved eight-year course in primary education in Kenya. A KCPE Candidate is a Class 8 student who is eligible to sit for the KCPE exams, which take place over four days in the second week of November.