Hero’s send-off planned for ‘Br John’

Educationist and philanthropist John Koczka, who touched the lives of thousands of alumnae of Materi Girls Centre in Tharaka South sub-county, will get a burial fit for a king.

Brother John, as he was popularly known by the girls and the community, died at the Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi last week and the news went viral instantly — almost every former student posted photos of him on their Facebook pages.

Ms Winnie Nyagah, a linguist who works in Shanghai, China, posted on her Facebook Page: “Bro John Koczka, one of the most selfless, caring and gentle souls I have met. An angel amongst us. Rest in peace Bro — feeling sad.”

Another alumna, Ms Perpetual Gakii, an accountant/auditor in Uganda, posted a photo of the man with nail polish, bangles and perfumes on his desk and commented: “These are items that you could hardly find in any other school. He allowed us to use perfumes and apply nail polish, and indeed even sold them to us, yet we managed to post very good results every year.”

Ms Esther Macharia said: “Memories are made of this — Cutex, removers, powder, earrings, bangles and above all, the love and what he made us be.”

TRUSTED THE GIRLS

Brother John trusted the girls so much that his office was always open for anyone to walk in, place money on the table and walk away with whatever item they needed; and if you needed change you also picked it from the table.

The former students also said they were never forced to attend morning preps but he often reminded them they were expected to do what was right.
Materi Girls Centre has, over the years, dominated the Meru region in national examinations.

Last year, it produced the top girl in KCSE exams in the county and posted a mean score of 9.111.

But Brother John’s greatest contribution, is perhaps, the priority he gave disadvantaged girls. A good number of girls facing early marriages and forced circumcision found a home and a school at the centre.

Others from poor homes in other parts of the country were awarded scholarships.

Brother John quit as headmaster of Nkubu High School together with Fr Andrew Botta in 1972, to found Materi Girls Centre in the semi-arid area of Tunyai. They were on a mission to rescue vulnerable girls from forced early marriages and circumcision.

He would walk long distances in the punishing terrain looking for young girls to offer an education.

ESTABLISHED GIANT

The journey he started with just 18 girls is now an established academic giant.

He also set up a dispensary which, besides the girls, also serves the surrounding communities.

This is the legacy Brother John left when he bowed out of the stage following a long battle with cancer and heart problems at the age of 75.

Ms Edna Kendi, who was head girl in 2002, has fond memories of the educationist whom she terms as “loving and a great disciplinarian”.

“We are planning to give him a well-deserved hero’s send-off. He made girls who have never experienced paternal love feel loved and it gave them confidence. He would send us Valentine Day cards on February 14 and this made every girl feel appreciated,” she said.

Ms Kendi says the centre observed high levels of discipline and there has never been a riot or strike even with caning being outlawed. “There are no written rules and regulations at Materi Girls yet there were no strikes. Students put effort into their studies without being pushed,” she told the Nation on the sidelines of an alumnae meeting in Nairobi.

The school has also attracted quality staff members who have not felt the urge to join the TSC. Among them is the long serving Mr Leonard Muthuri, who joined in 1974 and still teaches there.
Said Principal Sebastian Mbae: “The atmosphere is good and many like it here. I came here straight from college in 1980. My wife also teaches here.”