Christopher Oyango-Robshaw

You’re important. You’re beautiful.

Christopher Oyango-Robshaw

We are here today to honor Mr. Christopher Oyango-Robshaw. We are grateful that Mr. Christopher Oyango-Robshaw visited our class and shared his inspiring life story. We learned so much about caring for others, the culture of Kenya, and how he loves his grandma! Mr. Christopher Oyango-Robshaw story is about Kenya, love, and caring.

Mr. Oyango-Robshaw grew up in Kenya. He was born in Mombasa and lived in Nairobi, too. His mom was one of 11 children. His Grandma helped to raise him with her own children. Mr. Oyango-Robshaw grew up playing with many other children! He had a lot of fun with all of those kids and loved spending time with his family. He would play a lot with his uncles who were close to his own age. One special and funny memory he had of his father was when he was eating cupcakes and drinking Sprite.

Kenya was a lot about family, food, and togetherness. He taught us about the culture of Kenya, including different tribes and nomadic people. He told us of fishing a lot and celebrating family weddings, babies, and funerals. We heard about the climate and mountains, too. There are only two seasons—rain and sun. There is NO snow!

He lived on a farm with his grandma when some things happened that forever changed how he viewed his life. When he was young he cut his foot and his grandmother carried him while telling him in Luo (her language) that one day he would be the one who would be carrying her. After he grew up, he flew his grandma and his grandfather to the U.S. to attend his wedding, so that was kind of like carrying her just like she had said! Also when he was young, he learned that his mom was really not who he thought she was, and the woman he thought was his mom was really his grandma.

Mr. Oyango-Robshaw did very well in grade school and high school. He got to be on T.V. when he was in a competition like a quiz bowl. He spoke several different languages including Swahili and Luo. As a young man he was inspired by Nelson Mandela, and still looks up to him today.

He moved to the U.S. in 1998 and went to college in Virginia. He majored in economics and information systems. He soon met his wife, Melissa. In June of 2002 he moved to MN. Five years ago, Melissa gave birth to their daughter, Olivia. Then they adopt two cousins whose mother had died, and their family grew quickly. Venna and Franklin arrived in the United States from Kenya in 2009, shortly after Olivia was born. The family grew again when his son, August, was born in 2012. His four children now range in age from 2-22 years old.

Mr. Oyango-Robshaw works for Eden Prairie Schools in our business office, making sure teachers get paid! He enjoys traveling, gardening, reading, cooking, and playing the clarinet. He wants us to know that people are important. His grandma was very important to him, especially while he was living in Kenya. He travels to visit her and the rest of his family often. He speaks in Swahili to his son, August, so that he will grow up and be able to talk to his grandma in Kenya.

Mr. Oyango-Robshaw shared some parting words of advice for us. He said, “You’re important. You’re beautiful.” He also told us to remember that not everybody grows up in a nice house with lots of things, but they are still happy.

We enjoyed learning about Mr. Oyango-Robshaw’s life and we will remember to tell ourselves that we are important and beautiful! We hope you like the special song we wrote to honor your life. We would like to thank you again, Mr. Oyango-Robshaw, for coming into our class and sharing your life story with us.