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A Kenyan parent has shared an emotional account of an early morning phone call that triggered fear and anxiety, before ending in relief and gratitude for a teacher’s compassion.
In a post shared on a parenting Facebook group, the parent recounted receiving repeated calls from an unknown number at dawn.
When they finally picked up, the caller identified themselves as a school official reporting that their Grade 10 son was unwell and not improving despite efforts by staff.
For many parents of candidates and senior secondary students, such news can be alarming.
The parent admitted their thoughts immediately turned to worst-case scenarios, prompting them to ask to speak directly to their child to confirm his condition.
After hearing from the boy, who studies hundreds of kilometres away from home, the parent requested that the school allow him to travel home immediately.
According to the account, the teacher acted swiftly. The student was placed on a shuttle that was about to depart, with the teacher personally briefing the driver and conductor about the boy’s condition.
Contact details were exchanged, allowing both the teacher and the parent to monitor the journey closely.
Throughout the trip, the teacher reportedly checked in regularly with the transport crew, mirroring the parent’s own follow-ups.
When the student finally arrived, the driver handed him over safely, urging the parent to take him for medical attention and rest.
The parent took the child straight to hospital. Even then, the teacher continued to check on the student’s condition, following up at the hospital and later at home.
The story has resonated with many Kenyan parents, highlighting the anxiety families face when children study far from home.
It has also drawn praise for educators who go beyond duty to ensure student welfare.
The parent concluded by expressing hope that children encounter humanity and kindness wherever they go, especially when they are far from home.