Kenyan individuals often migrate to the United States with the expectation of securing lucrative employment opportunities. However, the story of Patrick Sumba, a dedicated teacher from Kenya, took an unexpected turn as he found himself working as a security guard and a supermarket attendant in the U.S., despite having had a successful career in education back in Kenya.
Sumba initiated his teaching journey at Mudavadi Girls’ High School, where he specialized in imparting knowledge in the challenging subjects of mathematics and physics. Although he excelled at Mudavadi Girls’, financial constraints compelled him to move to Mutonge High School after four years. While the experience at Mutonge was valuable, the pursuit of a more stable income eventually led him to resign from his position with the Teacher Service Commission (TSC).
Unfazed by the need for change, Sumba transitioned to Laiser High School and later assumed a leadership role as the headmaster at Testimony School in Eldoret. His journey continued with positions at Talent High School and Brookshine, where he faced dismissal but emerged with newfound determination.
One day, while navigating the streets of Nairobi, Sumba came across an advertisement that would alter the trajectory of his life—a call for green card applications. Fueled by hope, he submitted his application, and luck favored him as he secured the elusive green card, opening doors to a new chapter in his professional journey in the United States.
However, Sumba encountered challenges during his transition to the U.S. He discovered that there was no equivalent organization to TSC that employed teachers as it was in Kenya. To teach in the first grade, a Bachelor’s degree was a prerequisite, a requirement he did not initially meet. Faced with limited options, Sumba underwent training and took up a security job. Later, he also worked as a supermarket attendant.
The significant differences between the educational systems of Kenya and the U.S. prompted Sumba to adapt, taking on these unconventional roles while simultaneously exploring avenues to revive his teaching career in his new homeland. Driven to overcome these challenges, Sumba enrolled in the Grand Canyon teacher preparatory course.
Balancing his responsibilities as a security guard and a supermarket attendant during the day, Sumba dedicated his evenings to online classes. The preparatory course served as a crucial bridge between his teaching experience in Kenya and the American education landscape. Upon completion, armed with the necessary credentials, Sumba ventured into the competitive realm of American education employment, showcasing his resilience and determination in the face of unforeseen obstacles.
