You will see from above where we got the name of the school. JOLAURABI.
They have been visiting Kenya for many years now and are so at home there. The school has had such an impression on them that Lauren has decided to teach and starts university this year.
Abigail loves the games with the kids and John just loves playing football albeit in his bare feet.
Here they are with Omar’s little boy Hassan.

On a trip to Kenya Liz Grant needed a new child to sponsor as the boy she had sponsored previously had finished school. We were busy with the choir when this little girl wandered in from the bush and stood beside Liz staring at her. A few minutes later she was on Liz’s lap and delighted to be there. We discovered her name was Lucy and she was three years old. Liz visited her parents humble home (a one room mud hut with a cover for a bed in the corner and very little else) and met the parents. She explained to them she would like to sponsor Lucy to be educated at Jolaurabi and they were delighted. Liz also promised to sponsor her younger sister when she starts school. Lucy is thriving at school and loving it and her younger sister will be due to start next year. Liz now feels that she did not find Lucy but Lucy found her.

Sometimes we look at children and all we see is discontent. We live in an age where television and computers are a major part of our children’s lives. It is refreshing to see how children can still be children and amuse themselves with very little. The children in Kenya have no toys, no TV nor computers but they have a camaraderie that is so refreshing. They form friendships very easily and really have a zest for life.  Wouldn’t it be a great world if we could have the technology of the west and still maintain the element of fun from these children of Utange?

The boys in Kenya are very dedicated and serious about the scout programme although they do not have the same organisations we are afforded. Every Monday morning and every Friday at close of school the scouts take on the very serious roll of flying the Kenyan flag at the school. The ceremony is precise as the remainder of the school stand quietly looking on. One of the boys has the command and shouts out the instructions which are followed to the letter like an army unit participating in drill.

I have many happy memories of events with the children but none better than with Adam. We were traveling to the school in our beat up taxi and stopped to pick up the young children walking to start kindergarten at 7.3oam. The car was full to busting but we stopped once again and through the window this little one was put on my lap. He was just turned three and spent the remainder of the journey looking at my white hair and white skin. During porridge break in the morning I sat under a tree doing some book work  and when I looked up noticed this little one standing on his own staring at me. I waved to him which he mistook for a call to come to me. I was delighted he did and gladly put the paperwork aside. He cuddled into me a if I were his mother and we spent the next 15 minutes or so gazing into each others eyes. I remember telling him how wonderful he was and how he was a special young man but he could not speak nor understand English but I am sure he understood me. Every time I visited the school after that Day Adam would come for a cuddle, even if he was in class. We have had a special bond between us since. His mother told the teacher that he prayed for me every night. So much for so little is what I felt. These children are so easy to love. Adam was slow to speak and is not the brightest boy in the class but his little shining spirit has a very special place in my heart.

“Well my Utange adventure is over and I’m home with lots of memories and still high on all my experiences – it feels really surreal sitting in front of my PC again!! People have said “you’ll just be back a few days and it will be like you have never been away” – I know that can happen with holidays but I really don’t think it will for me in this case – the experiences I have had have changed my perspective in relation to many things and I hope that will stay with me.

The last week was so busy that I was still trying to pack at midnight Monday night!

When Jerry was over he mentioned he would like an African shirt and had the local Fundi (tailor) take his measurements with instructions that I buy material and leave it with the Fundi in plenty of time to have the shirt ready before I left – good plan except for the fact that I bought the material on Friday of last week and asked if both the shirt and another dress for me could be ready Monday! Monday was such a busy day that it was after 7pm when I got back to pick up the clothes. When I got there the little shop was practically in darkness save for a dim glow around the sewing machine – that side of the village had a power cut (nothing unusual there then!!) however the Fundi was working away at his pedal machine while his young son held a torch – now that is resourcefulness lol

Lots of positive changes at the school – in fact real ‘Girl Power’ now. We have a new Headmistress – Prisca, a new financial administrator – Sarah, and finally a new Chairperson of the School Committee – Rose – three strong women to take the School forward. The gender divide is very real in Kenya in respect to what constitutes ‘men’s’ work and ‘women’s’ work so interesting times ahead -Go Girls!!

I felt really sad saying goodbye to everyone yesterday, I’ve made so many good friends during the 10-weeks I spent in Utange and will miss them all.
I will also miss the strong community spirit which was also extended to me during my time there. The Kenyans living in the villages around the school have a real sense of community – something I feel we have lost to a degree – and I had become very much a part of that community.

The early evening is a nice time it Kenya. The real heat of the day has gone and although darkness comes down very quickly – usually around 6.30pm – it was definitely one of my favourite times of the day.
I’ll miss walking home through the village seeing all the gas lamps being switched on, the smell of wood smoke in the air as the women start to cook the evening meal , calls of “Jambo habari ” (Hi, how are you)) as I walk by. Usually the children will still be out playing at that time so I would get lots of “Hi Madam Jo-An” as well.

I feel really privileged to have had the opportunity to live among these warm and lovely people who willingly invited me into their homes and into their lives.
They exist in their world against all odds – poverty, illness, lack of basic facilities such as decent medical care, transport, etc – and often their basic needs aren’t even met in respect to one decent meal a day never mind three.
For many of the Jolaurabi children the food they receive at school is their main source of nourishment – early Monday morning of last week a primary school child fainted and it was discovered that he had barely eaten anything since lunch time the previous Friday when he had lunch at school . For these children the porridge and free lunch program is fundamental to their health and well being so thanks to all who have sponsored children during my time there – you really are making a difference – you have no idea how much.

In respect to health and medical treatment – I wasn’t too good at the weekend and Mama Cherongo was worried it was Maleria so took me along to a local clinic to be tested. This was a simple ‘prick on the finger’ blood test with immediate results (no malaria – poss something I’d eaten and I was better the next day) but the point I want to make is the test cost me 90ksh which is approx 70p to us, absolutely nothing really and yet these people can’t afford to bring sickly children along for the test because of the cost – so sad. Malaria is preventable with mosquito nets and easily cured if caught early and yet children still die from it with small children up to 6 years being the most vulnerable.

Thank you all for following my blog and for all your support during the 10-weeks. Prisca (the new Headmistress – formally deputy head) came to the airport with me this morning and when I was leaving she asked me to send her greetings to all my family, friends and neighbours and to thank everyone for their support – so a big thank you from Prisca also.

Into the future if anyone is planning a holiday in Kenya, in the Mombasa area, pop along to Jolaurabi – most of the hotels on the North Coast are within easy reach of the school 9just ask at reception or a local taxi) and I know you will be made very welcome by the children and the teachers.

I have loads of pictures on my camera which I will transfer to the PC and from there to the blog. So if anyone is interested in having a look at pictures of some of the events I have written about over the last three months check in a few days. Well I guess that is it – for now!!

Joan xx.”

We find if we take uniforms from the UK they last so much longer. How do we get them? The schools here collect them for us as the end of the summer and we have an arrangement with a major store group who sell us their end of line dresses for next to nothing, and we mean next to nothing.
Uniform days are always special for the children. It is fun for us also as we get the opportunity to have fun with the children matching their sizes and styles.
We used to be able to have shoes for them ALL also but we have difficulty getting the weight allowance nowadays but take what we can when we can and many sponsors give us money to buy shoes for the kids they sponsor.
Children in some countries moan about having to wear a uniform to school in fact some complain about having to go to school. It is heart warming to mix with children who get so excited about being in school and equally excited at getting a school dress or shirt and shorts.

WE COULD LEARN SO MUCH FROM THESE SPECIAL LITTLE ONES.

People ask us often what life is like in Kenya for women. This photo will give some insight to their plight. In the past women were not educated or if they were at school usually married very young. Poverty can force many choices on people.  There is still a dowry system there and the parents of the young women are paid an agreed amount.  The husband is very much in charge and often wives are beaten, EDUCATION is changing all of this. We now see our older girls deciding on careers that they know will better their lives. They realize if they are educated they will be able to help their children. So you see it will be generation after generation that the changes will come just like it was in Britain in the nineteenth century, never the less come it will. Thanks to everyone who gets involved and helps make this happen.