GRAIN OF RICE ACADEMY
nurturing creative, critical thinkers
Local Leaders
Partnering with local leaders opens the door to a deeper level of holistic care. Local leaders know their communities and can best serve their needs through appropriate cultural and relational interventions. Each of these leaders has been in the Just One Africa family for over a decade and is committed to seeing through the mission and vision of the organization. We know you will be inspired by their story just as we are.
Grain of Rice Academy
Grain of Rice Academy is a primary (elementary school) and junior high school serving 160 students from preschool to grade 8. Just under half of the students were formerly part of the Grain of Rice Kids Program, which was based in Kibera for seven years. These students transitioned to the new location and are now boarded on-site, returning home on school breaks. Grain of Rice Academy seeks to provide high-quality, literacy-based education that is hands-on and infused with the arts.
The teaching staff is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of leaders by providing a comprehensive education that goes beyond the classroom. Their unique approach combines hands-on learning experiences in literacy and the arts, all within a Christian context that fosters spiritual growth and development. By empowering students to explore their creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, they are equipping them to become confident, compassionate, and courageous leaders who will make a positive impact in their communities and beyond. Through the holistic approach to education, they are sowing the seeds of knowledge, faith, and leadership and watching their students grow into the leaders of tomorrow.
Their goal is to help children become problem solvers and leaders in their communities.
They are integrating these principles with the new Competency-Based Curriculum being implemented in Kenya. On a typical week, students can participate in STEM activities, play the recorder, create paintings and sculptures, read in the classroom libraries, and participate in guided reading groups.
Purpose:
Quality education is hard to come by in Kenya unless you have a lot of money. That’s why they have built and opened Grain of Rice Academy, which provides equality for all students (poor or rich) and provides quality, hands-on education. Their team has worked with educators, professors, and experts to develop a literacy-based curriculum infused with STEM and the arts.
Amy Back
Grain of Rice founder
Amy Back is the visionary co-founder of Grain of Rice Project and Grain of Rice Academy, a testament to her unwavering dedication to empowering Kenyan communities through education. Her journey began in 2008 when she immersed herself in Kenyan culture by living and serving with a local family for eight transformative months. This experience ignited a deep passion within her, leading to multiple return trips and a decade-long tenure as an art teacher in the United States. However, her heart remained in Kenya, and in 2021, Amy took a leap of faith, relocating full-time to Kenya to launch Grain of Rice Academy in Nanyuki.
Her philosophy centers around collaborative partnerships with Kenyans to develop innovative educational programs that equip students with the skills and confidence to become leaders in their communities.
When not pouring her heart into her work, Amy delights in exploring new destinations, savoring exceptional coffee, indulging in local cuisine, and expressing herself through art. Her creative spirit, adventurous nature, and commitment to making a difference in Kenya have made her a beloved figure in the communities she serves.
Mission
Grain of Rice Academy equips students to be future leaders by providing hands-on learning experiences focused on literacy and the arts within a Christian context.
Vision
We strive to be a school that nurtures creative, critical thinkers and provides a high quality, cross-curricular education in an equitable environment for all students. No matter their background, we will support students within a Christian context to establish them as future leaders and global citizens.