The First Grader

What a inspiring story! "The First Grader" tells the real life story of 84 year old Kenyan villager and Maumau fighter Kimani Maruge. Kirmani enrolled in primary school when the Kenyan government announced Universal and free education in 2003.

Initially the staffs of the school rejected his enrollment but due to his persistence and with the help of kind hearted teacher Jane Obinchu,he was accepted. Even though he was ridiculed by the villagers and scorn by the students's parents, Maruge never withdrawn from the school.

The real Maruge

Why Maruge wanted to join the school at the  very old age? what was  the reason behind it? The flashback gives the answer. He was a member of Mau mau group which fought against the British colonial rule.He was one among the fighters who killed an British officers, he was captured and tortured.His wife and child were killed by British military. Many believes this was the starting of freedom fight in Kenya.Maruge received a letter from the government,he wanted to read it himself.Thats the reason for him joining in school.



Maruge with the help of Jane started to read and write slowly.The school  children started liking Maruge and they enjoy his songs and dance.At one point the villagers oppose the school management for wasting one student allotment to an old man, they even attacks the school and Maruge's house.But Maruge sent them out running.This force the authorities to transfer Jane to different place. Maruge sold his goat and travels to the nearby city and argued with the authority and shows his scars of the torture by the Britishers.The authorities sent Jane back to the school.

He failed in reading the letter in home , so he brought it to Jane but Jane asks his colleague who initially opposed Maruge to read it.The film ends with Maruge attending school.There was also an romantic story of Jane and her husband and their struggle.

What a performance by the lead actors! Oliver Litondo as Maruge was outstanding,Naomie Harris as Jane too played her role to perfection.Beautifully directed by Justing Chadwick.The film was shot in Kenyan landscape.

Maruge never stopped  his pursuit of education till his death in 2009.He attended the UN Millennium Development Summit in 2005 and gave a emotional speech. Some of his quotes :

"I want all the children in the world be educated ,that's what I'm longing to see"

     " For me education is the key to liberty."

A film to watch and cherish !