The thing that separates Tutor Doctor from other companies in the marketplace today is not just our process or one-to-one approach, but rather it is our continued commitment to helping people. As our president Frank Milner says, “it’s not just about making a dollar, it’s about making a difference.”

 This dedication to people extends beyond the students we help with our tailored approach to tutoring. We believe that making a difference means having people in our family who are committed to helping others, and using our reach to ensure kids everywhere can learn.

That is why we were so proud to participate when our own marketing coordinator, Michelle Morris, wanted to volunteer to help deaf students in Kenya. Michelle, 22, is spending two weeks in the country with other volunteers as part of Project Riandu. This group of volunteers came together to support the Mbeere Mothers’ Union in their dream project of building a specialised secondary school for deaf students. Once the school is fully built it will be able to accommodate 200 deaf students, with a primary focus on increasing employment opportunities and integration for deaf people in eastern Kenya. 

The project is especially important in the region, where there is quite a stigma around the deaf community.

As Michelle explains, “having a deaf child is often seen as a curse. Deaf children are bullied, abused and in extreme cases even killed; it’s heart-breaking.

“We’re working with the Mbeere Mothers Union in Kenya to try and change that culture. We want to show that we value every child and I really hope we can help to start changing attitudes.”

When Michelle told Tutor Doctor about the venture, we jumped at the chance to support such a worthy cause, helping Michelle reach her fundraising target and supplying some resources.

When speaking about Michelle’s work in Kenya, Frank said, “our mission is about improving the lives of children and empowering them through learning. Only 12 per cent of deaf people are educated to secondary school level in Kenya, it’s really shocking. The link up with Project Riandu couldn’t be more significant for us, we’re so proud and passionate about helping these children to have better lives and a brighter future.”

Tutor Doctor believes in helping others, and the way in which to do that is to bring people into the Tutor Doctor family who are committed to this principle. Michelle, and her work in Kenya, is an example of the type of people we look for  – both at our home office and in our franchises.

You can read more about Michelle’s work with Project Riandu here. And if you’re interested in finding out more about what it means to make a difference with the Tutor Doctor family, download our handbook today.