Teaching First Aid and Shaping Futures
As part of our education programming at The Leo Project, we provide a first aid course in three of our partner primary schools - Mukima, Muramati, and Naibor. Led by Antony Kamau, TLP’s Ambulance Operator, the course targets junior first aiders, specifically students in grades four and five. The goal of this course is to equip young learners with essential skills that could potentially save lives in emergencies. But these students learn more than first aid. They gain self confidence and an expanded outlook on what their future can hold.
The course combines theoretical lessons with practical, hands-on learning. Students engage in first aid scenarios that cover a range of situations, including cuts, scrapes, snake bites, shock, broken and sprained bones, and electrical accidents. The course also includes a hands-on session where students explore TLP’s ambulance and see firsthand how their first aid skills are used in real emergencies. One of the most gratifying aspects of Antony’s role is witnessing the growing confidence of his students as they master these skills. Their enthusiasm is palpable not only through their active participation but also their eagerness to share their newfound knowledge. At the start of each class, students are eager to share with Antony the ways they have applied their skills at home—some assisting family members with minor injuries, and others spreading their knowledge within their communities.
First aid class at Naibor primary school.
Antony hasn’t always been TLP’s first aid teacher. Despite growing up with a father who was a teacher, Antony never envisioned himself leading a classroom of children. But one day, months into simply driving TLP’s educators to deliver our after-school programming at nearby schools, a new path came into vision. TLP’s founder and CEO, Jess Danforth, asked if he was interested in leading a class with the students. Antony had never spoken to a crowd and was hesitant at first. “Jess encouraged me and told me, ‘Antony, you can teach the children what you know.’” From there, Antony developed a basic first aid syllabus which he now delivers to students across our cohort of primary schools in Laikipia County.
Students practicing their skills
Antony’s transition to becoming an ambulance officer and teaching first aid was catalyzed by a profound personal experience. Before shifting to this new direction, he had a decade-long career in tourism. However, a transformative event changed the course of his career. While driving a tour group, he witnessed a fatal car accident. Compelled to help however he could, he and members of the tour group provided basic care to the individuals in the accident until medical help arrived. “Later I went home, I could not sleep. I tried to sleep, but I could only see the pictures, the wailing and the crying of those people,” Antony recalled of that day. “One question just came across that night when I was not able to sleep: ‘Did we really help those people?’ None of us were skilled, or had any know-how,” explained Antony.
Antony shared that, “From that moment, that was a turning point of my life. I decided I'll have to go to school and learn first aid.” And he did. He learned basic first aid and ultimately became an ambulance operator, able to drive people in emergencies, administer first aid to the patients, and provide support to accompanying health workers as needed.
Antony in front of The Caitlin O'Hara Community Health Clinic
Just as he realized a career in health and emergency services was possible, Antony hopes to inspire his students to consider what is possible for their futures. When he first meets his students, he asks them what they would like to be when they grow up. Most of the students do not have an answer, while others respond with the only careers they know are possible, such as mechanic, businessman, teacher, and driver. “Apart from being a mechanic or being a driver, you can be a driver who saves lives,” he tells his students.
Antony is grateful to have found his calling. The Leo Project, our patients, and the first aid students, are fortunate to benefit from the passion and care he exhibits each and every day.
As we celebrate World First Aid Day, Antony calls on all of us to, “Just know the basics. Being knowledgeable of what to do in an emergency will really help save more lives. I think it will change the world.”
If you would like to support our education programming, one way you can do so is by donating.