Founder of International Peace Initiatives visits Waynflete

We were fortunate to have Dr. Karambu Ringera, who runs International Peace Initiatives based in Meru, Kenya, with us on Tuesday last week. At our Middle and Upper School assemblies, Dr. Karambu shared her thoughts on why curiosity, care, and courage are essential abilities for effecting lasting change in the world—starting with our day-to-day lives in a school community.

As a visitor to several Middle School seminar classes, Dr. Karambu emphasized using curiosity to “see parts of ourselves in others” and how having an accent is simply a chance for gaining perspective (everyone has an “accent” to someone from another part of the world!). Students were inspired by both the community-building work she does and her messages about having the courage to keep believing in humanity—even in the face of recent hate crimes and negative world news reports. Students rose to give “Dr. K” (as she prefers to be called) a standing ovation for her heartfelt talk.

Learn more about Dr. K’s work as an NGO partner in the Students Shoulder-to-Shoulder Global Citizenship Coalition, of which Waynflete is a member. View Students Shoulder-to-Shoulder courses .

Dr. Karambu L. Ringera is the Founder and President of International Peace Initiatives in Meru, Kenya, and a SStS NGO partner for ten years. She is dedicated to supporting and funding initiatives that mitigate the effects of war, disease, poverty, and discrimination. For her work to uplift orphans and women living with HIV/AIDS from marginalization to self-resilience, Dr. Karambu was awarded the 2015 Lifetime Achievement Award by her alma mater, the University of Denver. She was also awarded the 2015 Master Scholar Award from the University of Denver for her contribution to educational excellence through her motivational talks and programs that empower students to use their education for community transformation.

Dr. Karambu pictured below with Bill Cotter, Director of Education, Students Shoulder-to-Shoulder, and Lydia Maier, Waynflete Assistant Head.