“Trust is the glue of life. It’s the foundational principle that holds all relationships.” — Stephen Covey
As I reflect on 2024, this quote resonates deeply with the journey Kurasa has taken—a journey that began in uncertainty and grew through trust. Trust has been the silent driver behind every milestone we’ve achieved, from empowering educators to transforming the learning experiences of thousands of students.
But this story didn’t start with trust. It started with a need, a vision, and a lot of hope.
The Beginning: Building Trust in Uncertain Times
Kurasa was born during one of the most challenging times in recent history—the COVID-19 lockdown. Schools across the country shut their doors, leaving teachers, students, and parents scrambling for alternatives. It was in this crisis that we launched Ziada School, a fully virtual school.
Running a virtual school in the midst of a pandemic was no small feat. Teachers had to adapt to unfamiliar tools, parents had to trust us with their children’s education, and students had to navigate a new way of learning. None of this would have been possible without trust.
We had to earn the trust of parents who wondered whether a virtual school could truly deliver quality education. We had to win over teachers who were skeptical about technology replacing traditional methods. And we had to ensure students felt supported and connected, though virtually.
Our success with Ziada School wasn’t just about technology; it was about relationships. We listened, we learned, and we showed up every day with a commitment to do better. That foundation of trust laid the groundwork for what Kurasa is today.
From Hope to Trust
In those early days, hope kept us moving forward. Hope that parents would enroll their children, hope that teachers would embrace the platform, and hope that we could deliver on our promise of a quality virtual education.
But hope can only take you so far. Trust, on the other hand, demands action. It’s about consistency, accountability, and delivering results. Over the years, we’ve transitioned from a company fueled by hope to one built on trust. Today, Kurasa serves over 4,000 teachers across Kenya and Ghana and impacts the education of more than 30,000 learners.
2024: A Year of Growth and Lessons
This year has been a defining chapter in Kurasa’s journey. Here are some of the lessons that have stood out:
- Trust is Earned Through Service:
- Every interaction, whether with a teacher, parent, or student, is an opportunity to build trust. By prioritizing service and listening to feedback, we’ve strengthened our relationships and grown our community.
- Transparency Builds Confidence:
- Whether it’s communicating new features, addressing challenges, or sharing data, being open and honest has been key to earning trust.
- Scaling Requires Trust:
- As we expanded into Ghana, we learned that trust is universal. It transcends borders, but it must be earned anew with each community.
- Invest in People:
- The trust within our team has been just as important as the trust we’ve earned externally. Growing our team has allowed us to deliver better service and innovate faster.
Looking Ahead: 2025—The Year of Trust
As we look to 2025, we are more determined than ever to build on the foundation of trust we’ve established. Our goal is ambitious: to serve 1 million learners by the end of the year. But trust will be the key to unlocking this vision.
- Strengthen Relationships: Deepen engagement with the teachers and schools we serve, ensuring they feel supported at every step and Partnering with governments, NGOs, and institutions to amplify our impact.
- Deliver Excellence: Continuously improve our platform with teacher-driven features and learner-centric solutions while maintaining high standards in every interaction, ensuring that our service builds confidence.
- Expand Thoughtfully: As we get to serve more learners, schools, educators, governments and new markets, we will prioritize listening and learning to build trust with each new community.
- Staying Transparent: Share our successes and challenges openly, keeping our stakeholders informed and involved.
From Ziada to 1 Million Learners
The story of Kurasa began with Ziada School—a story of trust built in the face of uncertainty. It’s this spirit that will guide us into 2025 and beyond. Trust is no longer just a value for us; it’s our strategy. Its how we’ll bridge the gap between where we are and where we want to go.
As we take on the challenge of serving 1 million learners, we remain committed to earning the trust of every teacher, school, and community we engage with. Together, we’ll create a future where education is accessible, empowering, and impactful for every child.
Here’s to 2025: The Year of Trust.
William Nguru
