How Award-winning Kenyan Headteacher Viola Barsulai Leads Community Movement to Keep Vulnerable Children in School

For many teachers, the classroom is where their work begins and ends. For Viola Barsulai, it is only the starting point.

Every school day presents an opportunity to teach, but beyond the lessons, Barsulai has dedicated herself to a broader mission: protecting children, keeping vulnerable learners in school and helping communities create safer environments where every child has the opportunity to thrive.

What began as a modest community initiative in 2020 has evolved into a growing movement focused on child protection, education and community empowerment. Along the way, she has mobilised organisations, friends, well-wishers and local partners to support children whose education is often interrupted by poverty, neglect or abuse.

Today, as the Head of Institution at Kamariny Primary and Junior School in Elgeyo-Marakwet county, Kenya, Barsulai continues to champion an approach to education that extends far beyond academic achievement.

“I began this journey in 2020 with a simple mission: to protect children, restore dignity, and ensure that every child has an equal opportunity to learn and thrive.”

Six years later, she says that mission remains unchanged.

“I have witnessed vulnerable children return to school with confidence, learners empowered through education and mentorship, and dignity restored to countless children and families. These experiences continue to inspire my commitment to child protection, educational equity, and community empowerment.”

Protecting children beyond the school gate

Across Africa, keeping children safe remains one of the greatest barriers to achieving quality education. For many learners, challenges such as abuse, neglect and unsafe environments often prevent them from reaching their full potential.

Barsulai’s response has been to work not only with learners but also with families, teachers and entire communities.

Through the Watoto Walindwe – Don’t Touch Initiative, she has built a child protection and advocacy programme that promotes safer environments for children both inside and outside school.

The initiative educates children, parents, teachers and community members about child rights, personal safety, abuse prevention, reporting mechanisms and the collective responsibility of safeguarding children.

Beyond awareness, the programme mentors vulnerable learners and advocates for keeping every child safe, in school and empowered.

Its message is simple but powerful: protecting children is everyone’s responsibility.

Removing barriers to education

For many families, attending school is not simply about enrolling a child. The cost of uniforms, learning materials, meals and other basic requirements can become obstacles that force children out of the classroom.

Recognising these realities, Barsulai established a School Support Programme that works alongside organisations, friends and well-wishers to ensure vulnerable learners have the resources they need to continue their education.

The programme provides school uniforms, learning materials, school necessities, meals and mentorship to children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Rather than viewing educational support as charity, Barsulai sees it as restoring dignity and creating equal opportunities.

The initiative has enabled hundreds of vulnerable learners to remain in school while giving them the confidence to participate fully in their education.

Creating safe spaces during school holidays

Barsulai’s work does not pause when schools close.

Through the Happy Hearts Programme, children continue learning during school holidays in an environment designed to nurture their talents, confidence and wellbeing.

The programme brings together learners for mentorship, sports, talent development, life skills training, child safety education and positive social engagement.

By providing structured activities during school breaks, the initiative offers children a safe and supportive environment while strengthening their personal development beyond the classroom.

Building partnerships that strengthen communities

Barsulai believes lasting change cannot be achieved by schools alone.

Throughout her journey, she has worked with community organisations, development partners, friends and well-wishers to expand opportunities for children while strengthening local ownership of education and child protection initiatives.

These partnerships have helped increase awareness of child protection and children’s rights across schools and communities while improving access to education for vulnerable learners.

They have also demonstrated how collaboration can amplify grassroots initiatives and create sustainable solutions that extend beyond individual schools.

Recognition rooted in community impact

Barsulai’s work has earned recognition at both national and international levels, reflecting the growing importance of community-led approaches to education and child protection.

In 2021, she was recognised as Mwanamke Bomba – Elgeyo Marakwet County for her outstanding community service.

In 2025, she received international recognition from UNESCO and Kenya’s Teachers Service Commission (TSC) for her work in child protection and community impact.

Her efforts were further recognised in 2026 when she received the National Guidance and Counselling Excellence Award, followed by the Voice of the Learner Award, honouring her advocacy for children’s rights and education.

While the accolades acknowledge her achievements, Barsulai remains focused on the work that continues every day within schools and communities.

Education as a pathway to dignity

Now serving as Head of Institution at Kamariny Primary and Junior School, Barsulai continues to advocate for child-centred education, inclusive leadership and stronger community engagement.

Her work reflects a growing understanding that improving education requires more than classrooms, textbooks and examinations.

It also means protecting children, supporting vulnerable families and ensuring that every learner feels safe, valued and able to realise their potential.

For Barsulai, education is inseparable from dignity.

“I believe lasting change happens when communities come together to protect, educate, and empower every child. For me, education goes beyond the classroom.”

Across Kenya and much of Africa, where millions of children continue to face barriers to learning, her journey demonstrates how educators can become catalysts for wider social change.

By combining education with child protection, mentorship and community partnership, Barsulai is helping shape a future where more children are not only able to attend school but also have the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive.