Elizabeth formby, mbe chair and founder of acef (Brainhouse School, Kenya)

“Her ability to listen, sympathise—whilst all the time seeking a way forward… was a gift to the school.”

full testimonial: “i am heavily invested in a school, in the depth of one of the world’s largest slums, just outside Nairobi, in Kenya.  The school caters for street and vulnerable young people who have experienced far more in their young lives than they should have.  The adults within the school are passionate about supporting every child and doing the very best for them, however who had not had the professional development to meet so many of the needs being presented to them.

In talking to Nayyar, I wondered if we could bring her knowledge and skill to the teachers within Brainhouse Academy, to support both the children and the adults in resolving the complex issues many live with.  Nayyar was more than up for the challenge, even though we had no idea of where or how the journey would unfold.

We commenced working online with the senior staff at the school.   This approach had so many challenges at different levels, technology, terminology, culture and huge expectations that we could solve everything. Nayyar’s very systematic, patient and supportive approach meant that we started to develop little green shoots in understanding and developing a working relationship.  Which proved to be incredibly helpful, as just weeks before we were due to travel out, devastating floods hit us, with the school being submerged under ten foot of water in a flash flood – changing everything.

Nayyar’s ability to turn on a six pence piece, was so evident.  She moved seamlessly, to supporting the adults in understanding trauma and dealing with it.  Nayyar went to central stage in helping us find a way to acknowledge what had happened and then how to move forward.  Her ability to listen, sympathise- whilst all the time seeking a way forward, a way to understand and accept, a way to support in a positive and practical way – was a gift to the school, to the ‘mother’ of the school and myself.  She knew when she needed time out to think, when she needed time with individuals to understand more and when to put a clear and concise solution to the school as to how she could help.  She did not try to solve everything but found a solution - where in the time available she could start to work with key members of the staff, taking tiny yet decisive steps to a future where coaching will be front and central to the way the school supports and works with young people who live in the most challenging of environments.

Her contribution was immense, bringing all her knowledge, experience, instincts and ability to think outside the box to the ever-moving challenges we faced within the school.  I know the leadership team at Brainhouse Academy is ever so grateful for the interventions, plans and continued support she has put in place.  She has not just visited for a few weeks and walked away, this is a journey she will walk together with the staff and leaders at Brainhouse into the future.   This supportive journey will mean that the staff will have the skills and knowledge to hand to support, will be encouraged and supported in dealing with challenges presented, growing the knowledge and skill sets of the teachers and in dong so actively support young people growing up in the most challenging of environments.”