So what’s news this week? I’ve been on the island for the week and Kate has been on the mainland. The last 4 weeks has been pretty tough at times not really seeing each other all week and then at weekends either one or other of us having to work so we’ve had very little time together. But thankfully, from this week onwards we’ll be on the mainland together all the time. In fact, this next week we’ll be starting our first project with the money we’ve raised which is working on a local school, to plaster walls, fit doors and windows to the main classroom and then whitewash it and have a team of volunteers paint it with all kinds of murals. This is all being done to the Base Academy which is the school we work in on the mainland. We’re really excited about this as it’s our project and something we’ve wanted to do for some time. That said we’re not as excited as the school principal who is absolutely over the moon about it and cannot keep thanking us enough. He’s even said he wants to put up a plaque with our names on it (dead famous we are!)

I’ve attached a picture of a lesson we gave in the classroom , the children engrossed in Heads, Shoulders Knees and Toes and you can see how rough and ready the walls were and with no windows or doors they could never leave anything in the school on a day to day basis, but now they’ll have a secure room so will be able to do so. It’ll make a huge difference to the place not only for that reason but also for the children to have a painted classroom. A nice environment to work in will hopefully motivate them even more. I’ll be sure to post some pictures of the finished product as well.



On the subject of projects for the school, we’re are trying to look into 2 projects for them going forward which is setting up a reading club for the kids and trying to get them a computer. I have a vague idea that there may be charities that offer old library books or something similar and others that might provide a computer (old ones that are unused and have been replaced back home but would still be of huge use over here to help them learn how to use them), if anyone has a few spare minutes of internet time and could help research this with us we’d be really grateful. Mail me if you think you can help.

OK, so what else did the week hold for us?

Thursday was the last day for about 10 of our volunteers so we arranged a little party. I spent the entire day cooking mango chutney, spiced rice, chapatis (I’m becoming quite the dab hand at those), three bean chilli, lentil dahl and hummus for 25 of us. No mean feat when all you’ve got are three usuable pans and two gas burners. We all had to dress up as well so staff utilized bedsheets and we went in togas.

Here’s me with Kez, both of us cutting quick a dashing look!

The party was a huge success and everyone had a cracking time with quizzes, games and competitions. The guys that were leaving really put in a great effort and it was the best party we’ve had yet. A little effort makes for a lot of fun and with limited resources, it was hilarious some of the costumes that people managed to create, observe Captain Kenya in action!

I had a pick up of new volunteers in Mombasa on Friday/Saturday. Myself and Sergi drove 8 of the guys that were leaving back to Mombasa on Friday and then we had a hectic day shopping for stuff, although we did manage to squeeze in lunch at a Chinese restaurant which was awesome, the one we went to for Kate’s birthday. In the evening we then went out to an Italian restaurant with some of the staff from the Mombasa project so it wasn’t all work work work ;)
Unfortunately, our meal turned into a bit of a late one and ended with a few beers in a bar nearby (oh dear). It was great to have some proper music playing on a big sound system as all we have here are iPods and laptop speakers so I really miss music played loudly with a good bit of bass! We turned in at about 2.30am and then up we sprang (ahem) at 6.45 for the 7.30 am pick up of the new volunteers. Forcing the breezy smiles and bouncing enthusiasm was a bit of hard work to say the least. And what with various little logistical hiccups to deal with throughout the day, lost baggage, late arrivals, hotel bills unpaid…the list goes on, it’s funny being on the staff side and knowing all that goes on in the background when to the new people (hopefully) they simply see a seamless and flowing progression…well something like that anyway.
Its amazing the amount of organising that goes into running one of these projects and I can say that I now realize now much hard work the staff put in. We are really enjoying being staff and getting some great experience, but it is certainly not a cruise…well not always anyway.
I can’t quite believe how fast time is going though. Already we’re coming into week 5 of the 10 week expo and it’s racing by. We still seem to want to do so much but the time is ticking fast. After this next week on the school project we’ll be heading back to Sat Camp in Tsavo West for a week, which we’re really excited about. We’ll be working on a project to construct a water pipeline for the village which means they’ll have their own fresh water for the first time ever. Prior to the pipeline their only supply of water was a similar borehole about 4kms away. This involved people walking or cycling all that way to fill 20 litre jerry cans and then carrying them all the way back…just for 20 litres of water! It never ceases to amaze me just how much people can carry on their heads or balanced on bikes. I passed a guy yesterday who had an entire bed frame and mattress strapped to the back of his bike. We’ll hopefully try and do a daily blog of progress on the pipeline if my hands aren’t too blistered and sore and I’m not falling asleep into my dinner at the end of each day.

Well I think that’s about all for now. No little homily today or lesson given you’ll no doubt be relieved to hear. Next weekend is our first weekend off together since we started the expo and we’re heading to Tiwi which is a quiet little beach resort up the coast. 5 of us are off together so we’ll get a cottage, stock up with cheese and wine and various other goodies and have a well deserved relax…I’m looking forward to it already.

Stay well, keep healthy, have fun and be happy!