Ninety-year-old Kenyan Priscilla Sitienei (pictured) has the distinction of being the oldest student in the world, and her reason for attending school for the first time in her life will surely inspire you.
SEE ALSO: Google Honors World’s Oldest Man To Enroll in Primary School with Doodle
Keep Up With Face2Face Africa On Facebook!
Sitienei, who is lovingly called “Gogo” or grandmother by her fellow students, enrolled in Class 4 of a primary school in Ndalat, which is located in Kenya’s Rift Valley, after serving her community as a midwife for decades.
As to why Sitienei decided now is the time, she says, “I see children who are living hopelessly, children who are lost.
“I want them to see me in school. I want to inspire them.”
With Gogo being a midwife for the last 65 years, she also intends to use the studies to pass down her skills to other women and write down her knowledge about herbal medicines.
And Gogo takes her studies seriously, taking part in all the same classes as her peers with gym, dance, and English.
Of Gogo’s dedication, Head teacher David Kinyankui says, “She has been a motivator to all the pupils here, and I think I’m very proud of her.”
Gogo also serves as class prefect, where she takes great pride in educating her classmates on tribal traditions.
The incumbent Guinness Book of World Records holder of the oldest student is fellow Kenyan Kimani Maruge who attended primary school at 84 years old so he could read the Bible for himself.
Maruge died in 2009.
Sitienei’s school says they intend to alert Guinness Book of World Records about their oldest student.
Watch Priscilla Sitienei’s commitment to youth here:
Gogo’s main message to students everywhere?
“I want to say to the children of the world, especially the girls, that education will be your wealth.
“Don’t look back.”
SEE ALSO: French Artist Pays Tribute To 19th Century Senegalese Warrior Women
Sent from my i
