Lamu County educator Mariam Abubakar has been named Most Resilient Teacher at the prestigious Tufunzeni Teachers Awards, in recognition of her outstanding contribution to digital learning, innovation, and youth empowerment.
Ms. Abubakar was honoured for her pioneering work in integrating Information and Communication Technology (ICT) at Mahmoud Bin Fadhil Boys Primary and Junior School under the Raspberry Pi–FCDC Digital Literacy Programme (DLP), as well as her leadership in empowering young women through the Lamu Tech Hub.
Her efforts have helped bridge the digital divide while nurturing creativity and confidence among learners in the coastal county.
Speaking to PNTV Africa after receiving the award, Ms. Abubakar described the recognition as a shared achievement rooted in community effort and perseverance.
“Receiving the Most Resilient Educator Award filled me with deep gratitude and humility, because it represents not only my journey but the collective strength of my students, fellow teachers, and community,” she said.
She noted that resilience in education goes beyond ideal conditions and is instead shaped by innovation and determination in the face of constraints.
“To me, this award is a powerful reminder that resilience is not about perfection; it is about finding creative solutions in the face of challenges, turning limited resources into opportunities, and never giving up on the potential of young people,” Ms. Abubakar added.
“It symbolises validation for the countless hours of improvisation, mentorship, and cultural innovation we’ve poured into making technology accessible and meaningful in Lamu.”
Through her work, Ms. Abubakar has blended technology with culture, using tools such as Scratch programming, digital storytelling, and hands-on hardware to make learning relevant and engaging. Her initiatives have particularly focused on empowering girls and young women to participate confidently in the digital space.
Looking ahead, she shared an ambitious vision for the future of learning in Lamu.
“In 2026, I envision a learning ecosystem where resilience fuels innovation and every young person in Lamu has the tools to dream boldly and build confidently,” she said.
“Building on the foundation of innovation clubs in schools, I will expand opportunities for students to explore robotics, AI, and advanced programming while making coding accessible through Scratch and culturally relevant digital storytelling.”
Ms. Abubakar revealed that after showcasing four student Scratch projects online last year, she now aims to elevate at least ten outstanding youth creations across Scratch, artificial intelligence, and advanced programming to national and global platforms.
Her plans also include digital archiving of Swahili heritage, immersive cultural festival activations, teacher training, and positioning learners for innovation competitions.
“By mobilising partnerships, training teachers, and positioning learners for competitions, I aim to transform resilience into a movement, one that empowers youth to lead, innovate, and shape a brighter future for our community and beyond,” she said.
The award highlights the growing impact of resilient, community-driven educators in transforming learning outcomes and inspiring the next generation of innovators, particularly in underserved regions.