Habari Kutoka Kenya

Subject: Save the Serengeti : Choose an Alternate Route & Local Development

2011-04-08T10:56:00.001-07:00

Hey,

I just signed the petition "Save the Serengeti : Choose an Alternate Route & Local Development" and wanted to see if you could help by adding your name.

Our goal is to reach 50,000 signatures and we need more support. You can read more and sign the petition here:

http://www.change.org/petitions/save-the-serengeti-choose-an-alternate-route-local-development

Thanks!

Martyn

UPDATE

2011-03-27T08:37:00.000-07:00

It is now almost a year since I last updated this BLOG and a lot of water has passed under the bridge since then.............. and that includes all those along the main Kitale to Lodwar road, the bridge across the Moruny River carrying the road to Sigor, those across the Wei Wei and all those footbridges built by Bridging the Gap providing people safe access across the rivers in West Pokot.

Marich Pass is flourishing as I write this. The Field Studies Centre is still visited by many and I hope to return before too long.

I would also love to lead a trip to Kenya so that all those who missed out the first time, or would love to visit again or those that I have enthused with stories, tales, pictures and videos and can also get to appreciate what an awesome place it is. I just need to sort a few things out and then I'll let people know by Facebook or via this BLOG what is planned.

I'll keep you all posted.

Tikeet Health Centre

2010-03-28T10:57:00.000-07:00

The Tikeet Health Centre Project Website has been updated and can be found by clicking on the link below.......

Tikeet Health Centre Project

Apologies

2009-07-31T14:02:00.001-07:00

This BLOG had been deactivated for a period of time due to complaints made about the content.

The offending comments have been removed &/or edited hopefully to the satisfaction of all those concerned. If there are still comments that are felt to be misleading then please do not hesitate to contact me and I will do my utmost to correct any inaccuracies.

I would also like to point out that should a trip to Kenya go ahead next year the health and safety of all participants will be a priority when planning the trip as it was when I was organising this year's field trip.

There will also be amendments to the itinerary to satisfy all those concerned as well as all those who wish to embark on such a once in a lifetime venture.

I would also like to apologise to anyone who may have been concerned by comments that were made.

URGENT!!! re: School at the Turkwell Dam

2009-07-08T06:07:00.000-07:00

It has come to my attention that the school at the Turkwell Dam has run out of money!

This means that the children that we photographed and whom we spoke to and played with during the afternoon when we visited the dam will soon be out of food.

They would appear to be desperate for help as the school was constructed out of the proceeds of charitable donations and this money has dried up......................

If you would like to help, please contact me and I will point you in the right direction.

Slideshow - The Best of the Kenya Field Trip

2009-07-06T13:18:00.001-07:00

The final video/slideshow until I find time to look at the video we took on the afternoon that we visited the school in Marich and then hopefully put something together with that footage.

Link to the BEST OF is

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7Io9lDN0nc

Comments, criticism etc. etc. or anyone else interested in a copy of photos.

Martyn

The Best of Kenya

2009-07-03T14:03:00.000-07:00

Here is yet another video/slideshow using what I consider to be the best of the photos taken during the field trip. There are, of course, many others that I could have chosen but then the slideshow what have been excessively long and so I had to take out some that I wish could have also been included. So, here is the finished project.

NEW SLIDESHOW from KENYA FIELD TRIP

2009-07-02T01:33:00.001-07:00

Dear all

Yet another video......... this time 'WILDLIFE'

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyCcxa3a7fw

If any parents, guardians or students want a copy of all the pictures that I took let me know...... will work out how many CD's are needed

Martyn

PS Will upload yet another video/slideshow of the 'BEST OF' in the next day or so.

UPDATE + PLANNED TRIP

2009-06-28T10:10:00.000-07:00

Enough of the videos for now although I have had a request for a slideshow featuring some of the animals that we saw during our trip............... watch this space.

Anybody out there interested in visiting Kenya next year (or SOONER!?!?!)?

You know, you've heard all about it,

You've read the BLOG

Followed the LINKS

You've seen the slideshows

NOW visit Kenya for yourself.

I envisage the trip costing much the same as this year's offering and following the same itinerary.

If the answer is yes, drop us a line and I'll make enquiries about costings.

There will be a Minimum of 8 and a Maximum of ???? (the sky's the limit - within reason)

Suggested departure date Tuesday 1st June returning to the UK on Saturday 12th June.

The trip will be open to anyone and if parents of those who went on the recent trip want to experience Kenya at its best.................. SIGN UP now........................and whilst you're at it, bring the kids along as well. I know they'd like to revisit the place!!

Please note that the safety of all, for the duration of the trip, will be of paramount importance at all times. In addition any Health and Safety issues will be strictly adhered to as will any directives given in risk assessments drawn up for the trip.

NEW SLIDESHOW - 'OUR STUDENTS IN KENYA'To view the slideshow on YouTube just click on the following link............

2009-06-24T00:41:00.000-07:00

At last, photos of some of our students taken during the field trip to Kenya.

To view the slideshow on YouTube just click on the following link............

Our Students in Kenya.

Some of the Students that we met on our travels

2009-06-22T02:03:00.000-07:00

This is yet another video/slideshow that I have put together of the students that we met duinr our trip to Kenya. Those in uniform are from the Marich Early Childhood Development and Primary School whom we spent time with during our visit to the school as well as when they joined us at the lookout point. The students out of uniform are from the school which has recently been built near to the Turkwell Dam which we dropped into on our visit to the Dam & HEP Scheme on Independence Day (Madaraka Day) on Monday 1st June 2009.
The soundtrack is again by AYUB OGADA entitled OBIERO.

The YouTube link in order to see it in all its glory and in full size is available by clicking here

We'll Meet Again............... Students from West Pokot, Kenya

The school in Marich and the clinic in Tikeet

2009-06-21T05:22:00.001-07:00

Here are some pictures, one of the completed and operational Marich Early Childhood Development and Primary School, four of the Tikeet Health Centre Project on the Masol Plains and two of Dr. David Roden the major driving force and benefactor behind both of these worthwhile projects.

The Outpatients Building at the Tikeet Health Centre has had the roof installed and the Inpatients Building is well under way with most of the basic structure complete.

New YouTube video - WE have so MUCH and THEY have so LITTLE!

2009-06-21T03:50:00.000-07:00

A selection of photos taken during a recent trip to West Pokot in Kenya. The trip included a stay in Marich Pass and visits to Tikeet on the Masol Plains, where a clinic is being built, and Lomut which is about 30 km inland from Marich, where there is a weekly traditional market.
The area is inhabited by the POKOT people and meeting these people and visiting the area is always thought provoking. In fact one comment that was made during the trip was " We have so much and they have so little yet they are so happy!".............................. does our wealth and the materialistic world that we are privileged (?) to live in really bring us the happiness for which we continually strive? I think NOT! There is a lot to be said for a simple life where community still exists and people truly care about their neighbours and don't spend their lives attempting to keep up with the Jones' or to outdo them.
Just £3 (US$6) pays for a child's education for 3 months in Marich and just £10,000 (US$15,000) builds a school................................... the Pokot need 50 schools and 50 clinics and I propose to establish a charity to benefit the lives of the beautiful Pokot people through the provison of education and basic health care. This idea was first kindled in the mind of the late Dr. DAVID RODEN and in his memory I want to see his dreams fulfilled. This can only happen with the help of the Pokot people themselves, The Roden family who live in Marich and through your, the viewers of this video, help.
Please read the BLOG for further details................. and check for updates.

The target................. £1 miilion!

WE CAN DO IT and the lives of the POKOT people will benefit.

You can read more about this on my BLOG (http://habarifromkenya.blogspot.com/) and there are links here to my photos on Flickr and to much, much more about Kenya and the area we visited.

The soundtrack to the video/slideshow is a track by AYUB OGADA entitled OBIERO.

The above is the description used on the YouTube video (Click HERE)

What a journey, what a trip, what people we met.............. I know that I will never forget those wonderful, beautiful, thought provoking, awe inspiring days spent with 30 of the best students that I have had the fortune of teaching and spending time with.

I just hope that this can be the start of something much bigger which will benefit the lives of all those we met and all those in the area that we didn't!

CHARITY

2009-06-17T23:13:00.000-07:00

Following on from the extremely positive feedback about the field trip from 30 students and 1 parent, the next move is to establish a charity in order to take, what has been started, that extra step or ten.

What's needed is a name..................... IDEAS PLEASE!

From what we saw on the trip, it is clear to me that provision for the education as well as the health and welfare of the people in West Pokot, as well as the surrounding regions (Samburu, Turkana), would be of great benefit to all who live there.

The EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT AND PRIMARY SCHOOL in Marich is clearly much needed in an area that, thanks to the MPFSC, is relatively well off when compared to the areas that we visited inland and those further north approaching the border with Turkana. In addition, following our visit to the Tikeet Health Centre, it was clear to me how great is the need for clinics/medical centres in the same area. Just a relatively simple facility to provide the local people with basic health care, without which they would have to walk miles to obtain treatment. It is hard to believe that for want of simple drugs the highest rate of infant mortality in the area is from pneumonia and malaria still wields an unnecessary toll on the people.

What also struck me was that for little more than the cost of a lunch or what most people spend trying to win millions on the lottery or, more poignantly, an extremely small proportion of the transfer fees of top footballers (words like obscene, sickening etc. come to mind!!!) a child can obtain 3 months education and one meal a day. This for just over £3 for 3 months............. yes, just £3!!!

In order to improve the quality of life for all concerned by providing basic education and health care we need to register this charity............................ there is a lot of work involved and believe me I have a pile of paperwork to read through in order to establish exactly how to go about it. However it does not look too difficult but, for obvious reasons, it has to be approached the right way, rules and regulations followed and all T's crossed and I's dotted. In addition we need a number of trustees to oversee the charity and to ensure that it is run as was proposed and as laid down in the various official documents.

So................. name of charity, other ideas and trustees................. I need some help on this and ASAP. Write to me on here through comments or on my E-mail address provided here, on the BLOG, at the foot of the right-hand column.

I have come up with 'BUILD A SCHOOL' but this doesn't encompass the plan to also build clinics and 'BUILD A SCHOOL, BUILD A CLINIC' is far too long winded................... so give me something to go on.................

Even more photos

2009-06-14T00:30:00.001-07:00

Now that I have discovered how to reduce the file size of the photos I have uploaded the balance of the first set of photos to my FLICKR accounts. Most went to FLICKR 1 but I had to put one on FLICKR 2.

See the LINKS below.

More Photos - Wildlife

2009-06-13T16:40:00.000-07:00

I have just finished uploading a further 67 photos from the Field Trip to Kenya.

They can be viewed on the FLICKR 2 link provided below.

................... and here is just a small selection to whet the palate...................

More Photos from the Field Trip

2009-06-13T12:37:00.000-07:00

I have uploaded more photos onto one of my Flickr accounts.

The 81 photos can be accessed by clicking on the link below...............

FLICKR PHOTOS 2

This is a different link to the one used for the first set of photos which can still be seen either on this BLOG or on the previous link that was given.

Housing in Kenya

2009-06-13T05:11:00.000-07:00

Housing in Kenya, as elsewhere in the world, is not only in short supply but in many cases it is unaffordable to most. Here in the UK, the average price of a house is verging on £200,000 (US$300,000)

In Kenya a new company is embarking on a project to produce affordable housing. This would give many Kenyans the opportunity to OWN their own bricks and mortar. Better still, bearing in mind the price of property in the UK, these flats which have 100 metres square of floor space (almost 1,100 sq. ft!!!) cost just US$32,000 or a little over £20,000!

Sell my house, buy 8 in Nairobi, rent out 7 and live off the rental income!

Here is the link to the website:

Courtyard Flats Mlolongo Ltd. (CFM)

Flickr

2009-06-07T09:51:00.000-07:00

All the photos from the field trip that are seen below are also available on my Flickr Account by clicking on the following link:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/west_pokot_kenya/?saved=1

I shall also endeavour to upload others to the BLOG (Very fiddley and extremely time consuming!) and to my Flickr Account but there is a limit of 100 mb per month and uploading just 23 photos had swallowed up this month's allowance.

Materialism v Happiness

2009-06-07T03:24:00.000-07:00

During our time in Kenya one comment was repeated time and time again. This, very simply, related to the fact that We have so much, and they have so little but THEY ARE SO HAPPY.

I think that basically they were trying to answer that age old question 'Does money bring happiness?' and I think that this simple question was adequately answered during our 10 days in Kenya.

There is much, much more to life than computers, iPods, Mobile Phones, Games Consoles and MP3 players etc. and sometimes we need to just sit back and remember that we, in this day and age, are so very fortunate but that 95% of the world's population can't afford the basic necessities of life let alone the luxuries that we, everyday, take for granted.

All of these photos are of people from Naselot/Turkwell, Lomut, Tikeet/Masol Plains and from in and around Marich itself.
Simply.................. Happiness is West Pokot!

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE ANY OF THESE PICTURES IN A LARGER FORMAT, JUST CLICK ON THE PHOTO CONCERNED!

Photos

2009-06-07T02:03:00.000-07:00

Have just spent the morning pawing through the almost 2,000 photos that I took during the Field Trip.................... wow................. got a task ahead of me to sort out some to be shown on here but will also post some to my Flickr! Account.

Some beutiful ones of the people that we came across during our travels and some others of our students interacting with children of their own age, There are, of course, hundreds of the animals that we saw in both Nakuru Nation Park and Masai Mara National Reserve as well as some scenic shots taken around the beautiful country that we were very fortunate to visit.

Will try to upload some later.

Photos

2009-06-06T11:59:00.001-07:00

Photos will follow once I have gone through the more than 2000 shots that I took during the 11 days that we were away!

WATCH THIS SPACE!

Arrival HOME

2009-06-06T11:50:00.000-07:00

What a field trip! Hard to believe that the 11 (NOT 10!) days of the trip have come to an end. All the planning and now it is all over............ a bit like the difference between the time taken to cook a decent meal compared with the time taken to consume it!

It was rewarding to see all the students' happy faces and the faces on their parents to welcome them home after what was a gruelling mission was also a sight to behold.

Thank you also to all the parents words of gratitude................... all I can say is that I did it all for the kids........... it was their enthusiasm that kept me sane and the support which kept me focussed and ON the trip.

Finally I would like to thank the students for their spontaneous thanks as we pulled into the Stalham High School car park............ I couldn't have done it without you and without you it wouldn't have been the same. I had a blast and thank you to all the students on the trip for making it such a success.

Now all that is left is the debrief!

or, maybe...................... another trip to Kenya................... anyone interested?

2nd and final update for now!!!!

2009-06-05T11:51:00.000-07:00

Following the viewpoint we all took a less strenuous, most welcomed, downhill walk back to the centre and spent an again very welcome bit of time which was spent relaxing, showering or just catching up on their diaries..

After another delicious evening meal which lacked any semblance of junk food and was not accompanied by chips and ketchup and consisted of nothing but local nutritious, organic food the kids were given a treat of being permitted to stay up until 9.30 but still hadn’t twigged to the fact that they were still going to bed at 7.30 pm UK time!!!!.............. how long before they twig?

Before bed on the Saturday the students were offered two alternatives on the Sunday. They could either complete the Old Colonial Road walk of about 5 miles or cover a less gruelling Ethnobotanical walk with one of the Centre’s guides knowledgeable in the trees, plants, their medicinal uses and cures and knowledge of the Pokot Culture.. About 20 opted for the ‘more strenuous’ yomp leaving only a handful to meander about the Centre and the surrounding riverine forest……………
Little did the latter party realise what they were in for as they walked through much of the difficult sections of the Colonial Road Walk near to the Centre and also spent a lot of their time in the sun. However they did learn a lot and seemed to enjoy themselves and gained a lot from what they had been put through.

The Old Colonial Road walk by comparison was a jaunt in the park. The Old Road although overgrown and in parts has crumbled is still an easy walk which runs parallel to the Moruny River as it flows through the MArich Pass. It was reasonably shaded and so, even in the mounting heat of the day, was easily achieved by all. We were met aty the foot of this section by the buses who replenished our water supplies and then it was decided that ALL would complete the walk through the Riverine Forest back to the Centre. This section passed through the remains of the road building site and through the workers compound which is still utilised some 30+ years after the road from Kitale to Lodwar, in the north, was completed. There was only one part of the walk which caused a problem when we all had to negotiate a fairly steep cliff but we all managed it with tremendous team spirit. We all worked to help each other up in order to complete the walk. From here it was downhill all the way back to the Centre where we all partook in an ice-cold soda……………… a very welcome respite from the heat of the day.

After a wholesome but basic lunch we were bussed up river to where the locals pan for gold. They also wash their clothes, water their cattle and goats, bathe, collect water and do their ablutions……………….. sounds idyllic doesn’t it?

Here some of the students stood on the bank and watched whilst others fished or panned for gold from the safety of the bank as H&S assessment of the river deemed this slow flowing, shallow river too risky to paddle in and their was a risk of bilharzias which is not present in the river.

After this it was back to the Centre to pack and deposit the bags at the bus to ensure that we could make a quick getaway the following day.
The final evening meal was BBQ’ed goat (known locally as Nyama Choma) which was enjoyed by all.

Everyone then had an early night……….. we all needed it before an early awakening to see the last sunrise over the Cherangani Hills. Then it was breakfast, last minute packing and off we set for Nakuru for a night in the Elementaita Lodge where we had stayed on our first night in Kenya.

The journey down was uneventful albeit extremely bumpy as was the journey up. We stopped in Eldoret for lunch and then it was on to Nakuru where we checked in to the Lodge…………… our last night of any semblance of luxury before the two night’s camping at the world famous Masai Mara National Reserve.

The only event of note on the journey was that after a lot of the students had commented on how well they were eating in Marich without the standard intake of junk they would now change their lifestyles for the better. This lasted until the first fuel stop at Makutano which is less than 50 miles from Marich. It was here that some of them discovered chocolate and ice cream and bang went the lifestyle change!!!!!

We were fed and watered well in the Lodge before yet another early night for the kids at 9 pm. Food was again a buffet with the kids again preferring the sweets section to the main course……………. Where do they put it all?

After an uneventful night…………. Well I slept through anything if anything did happen,…………. We were up at the crack of dawn to pack for the journey to the Mara and then bags to the mini-buses and then for breakfast. The buffet selection was immense but again most of the students hit on the pancakes with chocolate sauce.

We left Elementaita almost on time which was good for the field trip to date which has not to date kept time apart from the coach to Heathrow and the flight to Nairobi.!

The journey from Nakuru to Naivasha was fast and smooth which is a complete novelty for Kenya………….. cynically, how long will this last!?!?!

From Naivasha to Maai Maihu was also uneventful with views across the Rift Valley, squatters camps full of people displaced during the troubles of 18 months before and the occasional wild animal (zebra, gazelle or impala) dotted amongst herds of Maasai goats and cattle. A little known fact is that about 95% of the wild animals in Kenya live outside the confines of National Parks and Reserves on private land or just roaming free as they have for centuries.

This stretch of road has also recently been resurfaced and is therefore a dream to drive along with bottoms and backs as well as other parts of your anatomy being able to recover………… a little from the onslaught of miles upon miles of atrocious roads.

The road from Maai Maihu to the Masai Mara can only be described as vried! It is littered with broken down vehicles and vehicles which have suffered accidents. The accidents are as a direct result of the awful road surface. However, they are, bit by bit, rebuilding this road as well………….. or more correctly, the Italians are! The surface therefore ranges from excellent, to bumpy, to poor, to damn right diabolical!

This section does however benefit with the opportunity to view animals. Bearing this in mind, it wasn’t long before e saw our first giraffe of the Field Trip. This herd regularly move around the area with landmarks of Mt. Suswa and Mt. Longoniot as well as Hell’s Gate National Park. They spend their days browsing the trees from one end of their territory to the other.

We had a lengthy stopover at Narok which is the last major town before the Mara itself. Here we had to attempt to get educational rates for entry into the park. This was obtained and we headed off to our final destination of the trip.

Some 5 hours after leaving Elementaita we finally arrived at our final destination. This was a very basic campsite pitched in a shaded area of medium sized trees of a variety of species. Not the greatest of accommodation choices but what the hell for two nights. I provided basic food and coke etc. was available at a price. The one surprise was that it provided hot water from a Nairobi Boiler and so several people were happy to be able to freshen up without fear of frostbite!!!!!

There was a slight delay in getting settled in as the tent allocation had been changed and three more tents had to found and pitched before everyone could get themselves ready for our first Masai Mara Safari. This followed consumption of the packed lunch from the Lake Elementaita Lodge!

Entry to the park was rapid, unlike the lengthy delay at Nakuru the week before. It was not long before we saw our first pride of lion which were snoozing on top of an outcrop of rock. This amazing sight was quickly followed by the sighting of a leopard relaxing on the fork in a branch in a tree. This completed our sighting o 4 out of 5f the ‘BIG FIVE’ with the Rhino and Buffalo being seen in the Nakuru National Park. Only the elephant remained on our checklist and again we didn’t have long to wait until we saw one and then another and then another. They were however a little distance away from us but we had seen them.

Our first visit to the reserve rapidly came to an end and we were racing back down the main road through the reserve back to the main park gates an d our campsite a few kilometres beyond.

Fortunately we came armed with torches as we arrived back at camp after 6 pm and it was rather gloomy to say the least. Not much to report that night with dinner being eaten around 7.30 pm…………. Soup followed by beef stew and rice with fresh fruit salad to follow. Tea, coffee and water were available but soda was sold at two and a half times cost……….. I suppose the Maasai have to make money some where but when it’s not even cold………………. It’s a liberty!

Everyone slept early that night with lights out at 9pm, although I’m sure that some slept a little less soundly than others when the sounds of the African Bush at night were head spasmodically throughout the night! First it was a hyena and then what sounded like a baboon in pain or being taken by s leopard. There were also reports of lion roaring throughout the night but some disputed that and blamed a nameless member of staff for loud snoring!!!!

The plan for Thursday, our only full day in the Reserve was to have breakfast and then head out with a picnic to spend the whole day watching wildlife.

We saw, during the day, baboon and vervet monkey, birds too numerous to mention but which included lilac-breasted roller, auger buzzard, wydah birds, francolin, crowned crane, helmeted guinea fowl and vultures and maribou stork. Almost forgot the ostriches, again many of them and finally we saw several Batleur Eagles soaring on the thermals.

The list of animals was impressive with gazelle, both Grant’s and Thompson’s, Zebra and Impala as well as Eland, Buffalo Wildebeest, Topi and Hartebeest. There were also herds of Giraffe wandering majestically across the valleys and grazing the tall trees at leisure.. They were numbers of them all over with a number of close sightings and others more distant.

We were also fortunate to see silver-backed jackals but surprisingly we never saw a hyena. Warthog were also fairly common and, for a change, more willing to pose for he cameras when usually they high tail it off into the bush at the first sign of a amera being prepared for use!

The same could be said for the elephant. We could see them all over the place but only at a distant. Small herds and larger herds wandering, what seemed aimlessly, across the Mara We did however come across a small herd of elephant browsing in a thicket who provided us with numerous photographic opportunities. That was about it for elephants but we never saw a lone bull on its own up close but they were around but only at a distance.

We however couldn’t drive far without bumping into lion. There were more of these kings of the plains than you could ever want to shake a stick at! Huge males were found on their own or in pairs lazing around and just surveying their surroundings. Females were dotted here, there and everywhere. They ranged in group sizes of 2 or 3 up to 7 or 8. Then we came across a male and female together and finally, when retracing our steps to help one of the mini buses which had become stranded/stuck we were fortunate to view a couple of lionesses partaking of a siesta in the shade of a bush. With them were about half a dozen cubs who played hard to get when it came to getting a decent photo of them.

We had a brief stop at the Mara River where in a month or so the annual migration will be in full swing. Here we saw hippo and crocodile before heading across the bridge o a lone tree for some shade where we could take our picnic. The first tree had already been grabbed by others and so we moved on to the next which we found to be vacant and it was here that we demolished lunch under what little shade the tree provided.

After lunch, because some of the group were tired, we crossed back over the river and headed back to camp. Apart from the aforementioned vehicle getting stuck only one other vehicle had trouble and that’s when the driver, having seen the lion and lioness, tried to get back onto the main road got the vehicle stuck on a shingle bank with both front and rear wheels barely touching the ground. It was a simple case of all out and rock the rear of the vehicle until sufficient contact had been made between ground and tyre to inch forward and get on the road again.

We were back in camp shortly after 4 and there we remained although one mini-bus had to refuel and whilst that was being completed the passengers got a sneak view of what luxury safaris are like when we walked around a lodge attached to the petrol station. Luxury is not the word for it and was a totally different world to the one we were experiencing but with a price to match……………. One day we all dreamed!

We all spent the rest of the afternoon tidying up and starting that long laborious process of packing for the journey home. Some students slept as did at least one teacher and others, including some staff, did their own thing.................. this included interacting with our students, chatting reading, taking photographs, relaxing, interacting with others, including the local Maasai, camp staff and our guides or just taking in that last bit of Kenya on our penultimate day.

Dinner was soup, chicken stew and boiled potatoes which had been extremely lightly fried. This was accompanies by coleslaw and sukuma wiki (We know it as Kale!). Dessert was again fruit salad

It was by this time that people were feeling exhausted………….. a lot had been packed into the previous 10 days and it was all taking its toll on a lot of the group.

Crash out time was 9 pm and I for one, having competed tent checks, hit the sack rather rapidly and slept soundly until dawn.

Our last morning in the Mara was an early starter as we were to embark on a sunrise game drive. This together with the end of the day, are the best times for game drives as the animals are more active during the cooler parts of the day as opposed to during the oppressive heat around the middle of the day.

We headed off after a hot drink and even though there were a few complaints about yet another early start, no one was to be disappointed after 3 hours of driving around. Most importantly we came across 3 cheetah or I should say others had come across them and we followed the glinting windscreens to where they were and sat for about a quarter of an hour watching these beautiful creatures in the early morning sun. The group consisted of a mother and her two almost fully grown cubs. Surrounding them were numerous prey animals watching in anticipation every little move the cheetahs made!

On our return we saw more lion including a young male who just by his presence was worrying the onlookers who clearly felt that they might be the lion’s next feast!

We headed back to reserves main gate and saw our last animals before exiting for the final time.

Back at camp it was showers, breakfast, packing of bags, clearing up and loading of the vehicles which was all achieved in a little over an hour! We left just before 11 am for the 5 hour journey back to Nairobi where we would have about 4 hours before heading for the airport and our flight home.

Needless to say the journey could be made quicker if it wasn’t for the obligatory stops at souvenir kiosks along the way. The routine is that the drivers get a kick-back on anything that the party buys from the stall. The quality is generally poor as iss the choice and the prices are far higher than what one would expect to pay in Nairobi subject to the bartering skills of the prospective purchaser!

So, that is it………………… 11 days, thousands of miles, highs, lows, ups, downs, good and bad. However in general a positive, huge thumbs up from the kids and in the end it was for them that this trip was all about. They were the ones that I hoped would benefit from the trip and get a hell of a lot out of it and overall, by the comments I got and the reactions that they gave to situations that they experienced I thin k that the aims were achieved.

I do hope that they have enjoyed themselves and that they think the trip was all that it was hyped up to be. I also hope that they treasure the memories and that their diaries remind them, for a long time to come, of the experiences that they have had during the trip. It would also be nice to think that at some point in the future they will save the money in order to return to Kenya to do it all again under their own steam or with a friend who they travelled with on this trip or with someone they can show what they achieved in 2009.

So, this is me, signing off from somewhere in between the floor of the Rift Valley and the escarpment as we climb our way back up to almost 8,000 feet on our journey to Nairobi and home to Norfolk.

Finally please forgive me for all the typo and grammatical errors and spelling mistakes. Just bear in mind these BLOG entries have been typed whilst on the move along some of the most atrocious roads one will ever experience whilst trying to avoid potholes, speed bumps the size of mountains and matatu drivers with aspirations of one day becoming a Kamikazee pilot.

At least we got this far with little more than a scratch, a few misplaced possessions and a few dodgy tummies but we have all gained hearts and minds full of life changing experiences and we have all made friends along the way.

Latest Update

2009-06-02T02:01:00.000-07:00

Sorry, but the availability of the internet is virtually non-existent as has been the ability of a mobile phone signal…………….. hence no BLOG update since being able to tell you that we had arrived safely and were all OK.

We are now on the return journey from Marich en-route to an overnight stay in Lake Elementaita Lodge before heading for the Masai Mara.

Can’t believe that we have already been away from home for 7 nights and have only 4 nights reaming including the night flight back to the UK this coming Friday.

So what has happened so far…………

An uneventful journey over if you ignore the additional paperwork for swine flu (!!!!)and palava at the airport when we discovered that not only had the visa fee for under 16’s been waived but that they had also waived the need for a visa completely and the need for all the visa form filling had been a total waste of time!

From the airport we stopped for refreshments before heading north for Nakuru National Park. Before heading for the park we checked into our accommodation at Lake Elementaita Lodge. Here we rested, had a hot shower or bath and were treated to a buffet lunch. Although the main courses did not suit all palates those that were still hungry topped up on the array of desserts and sweets on offer…………….. no one went hungry.

We finally headed for the park some 2o km further north and headed for the KWS HQ in order to buy our tickets. Karibu Kenya as they say………. This simple exercise took virtually two hours as letters of authority were verified with Nairobi, negotiations were completed and bureaucracy and red tape gone through. Then it was another drive to the park gates where we had to complete more paperwork before we were finally admitted to the park just two hours before it closed!

The main reason for visiting Nakuru were for us to see the world renowned flaming goes and Rhinos, both white and black species, which are more numerous in Nakuru than at the Masai Mara. We were not disappointed on either front as we spent a lot of time by the side of the lake photographing the flamingos and not log afterwards we saw both species of rhino with the white rhino being relatively close to the road and easily snapped by all. We also saw Pelican, Zebra, buffalo, gazelle (Thompsons and Grants), impala, baboon, vervet monkey, rock hyrax, water buck, dik dik and so on and so forth.

At kicking out time we returned to the lodge at Lake Elementaita, freshened up and headed for dinner. Again there was more than plenty to eat and a reasonably wide variety of choice for all and so nobody went hungry even if that did mean topping up the reserves with the desserts and sweets buffet!!!!

After dinner there was a short, traditional Maasai Dance which some of the students joined in before retiring to bed at a relatively early hour/////////////// everyone, students and adults alike, were understandably exhausted.

The following morning we had a lazy start with a filling breakfast before hading still further north to the main focus of our trip – Marich Pass Field Studies Centre some some 230 miles ahead of us.

The road between Nakuru and Eldoret is being rebuilt and so there was much detouring and alternating between off-road and newly laid tarmac. We stopped at the equator for a Kodak Photo Opportunity before continuing to Eldoret for a refuelling stop and lunch.

Here we experienced our first tropical downpour but fortunately we were all on the vehicles at the time. Also it was here that I made my first BLOG despatch!

From here it was onwards to Kiitale which we drove straight through without stopping as wee were behind schedule and desperately wanted to reach Marich before dark and we were cutting it very fine…………. An understatement if ever I heard ONE.

We refuelled at Makutano hich is near Kapenguria which is the place where Jomo Kenyatta, the first President of post colonial Kenya, was imprisoned for alleged involvement in the Mau Mau uprising against the Colonial oppressors during the q1950’s and early 60’s. His cell, and those of his conspirators are now maintained by the National Museums of Kenya.

From here we talked the last 45 miles over atrocious roads which have been poorly, if at all, maintained since the Dutch constructed the road in the 70’s.

In spite of all this we managed to reach our goal just before dusk on Thursday evening and fortunately just before the Heavens opened for a spectacular downpour like nobody had seen before. Luckily all participants had got there belongings under cover and it was only drowned rats hat had to trudge through the mud in order to get there dinner from the restaurant………. No chance of alfresco dining that night! The meal itself was spaghetti and sauce with eith paw paw/papaya or mango to follow.

Lights out much to the student’s displeasure was 9 pm. Unfortunately we had arrived too late for anyone to really get there bearings and so it was not until the next morning was anyone able to take in and appreciate the full beauty of where we were going to be staying forv the next 4 days.

After a nutritious breakfast of eggs, toast, tea/coffee we attempted the first part of our itinerary – the walk along the old colonial road. The heat was too much for some and so we sent for transport when only half way through the walk and were driven back to the Field Studies Centre.

Here we had lunch before walking to the school within the grounds of the centre which we have helped to build and more recently where we have raised money to sponsor a student with SEN to be taught in Eldoret.

We took with us a number of tennis balls aand a parachute game which were just somec of th thingsd that had been donated to the school by some generous individuals and businesses back in the UK and which we had carted with uss from Stalham contained in some 17 boxes.

Firstly we were shown around the school and here it was explained that the students for about 3 pounds for 3 months are educated, clothed and fed once a day and that some parents can’t even afford this meagre sum! This started our students to do a little soul searching and thinking about what is important in life.

It was here that some of our students commented that the school children have so little yet they are so much happier than we are

We spent the best part of the afternoon with the students. Games were played, congas were formed, dances performed, songs sung, friendships formed and in some cases many tears were shed by those students who were starting to take on board the grim reality of life that most people in West Pokot face on a day to day basis.

It was extremely heart warming to see some ( a lot) of our students make the connections between their lives and lives of children of a similar age and how different their lives are.

Hundreds of photos were taken of presentations of gifts, games played and the students singing a song that had been specially written to welcome us to their school. We also made the presentation of the cheque of the funds raised during the recent Africa Week held at Stalham High School.

We had a small storm late that afternoon but nowhere near the level of the previous night’s tempest and then it was time for a wholesome dinner followed by bed at 9 pm (!9:00 hrs UK time!!!!!0.

On Saturday after a routine early wakening at 7 am followed by a standard Marich Pass breakfast of eggs and toast and coffee/tea we drove towards Tikeet on the Masol Plains where another project funded by Marich Pass is on the go. Here there is a partially completed Health Clinic (See BLOG Links) which will include, when finished, both in-patient and out patient buildings which will dramatically improve the health and welfare of he people of the area who currently have to travel miles even for their basic medical needs!

The journey was not uneventful in that eroded gullies had to be filled in order to cross them and one sizeable river had o be forded! However we finally achieved our goal, took the inevitable pictures, greeted those Pokot who had come to see us and then wended our merry way back the way we had come and then headed for the traditional market at Lomut.

This market was in full swing by the time we arrived around noon. It is a bustling market and much busier now than I remember it in the past but it still retains the feeling of a traditional market that have taken place for generations and centuries.

We only stayed for about an hour as there is little to buy and the students felt a little overwhelmed by he attention they received……… white faces are a novelty as they are rarely seen in this area and the local Pokot are naturally inquisitive of us and didn’t we know it. It was a case of who was watching who and I think we lost!.

We returned to Marich with a few trinkets and a couple of lengths of sugar cane extra to our starting weight.

After lunch it was decided to go for a gentle stroll from the Field Studies Centre to the look-out viewpoint behind the Marich Primary School. This was a gentle amble uphill for about 15 minutes. The walk was well worthwhile and I don’t think one student was disappointed by what they say………… just pure natural beauty which is more than aesthetically pleasing to the eye.

We were joined by some of the students fro the school who we had first met on the Friday who had made their way up to us by scaling a virtually vertical crumbling rock face…………. Clearly no H & S rules in Marich! Both sets of students then engaged in in spontaneous games for the next half hour before we dragged them back to the Centre for shower time and a well earned dinner.

Have now typed for almost two hours from Makutano to Eldoret and the Internet Café looms and so will finish this entry HERE and will update as soon as I can for Sunday and Monday!

The First 3 Days

2009-05-28T03:39:00.000-07:00

Firstly Sorry for not having updated this since we all departed but you will have to understand, as I now do, that the interent is still a luxury in Kenya!

We all arrived safely if somewhat jaded after the long journey here but all intact and in one piece!

We first travelled to Laken elementaita where we had the opportunity to freshen up before lunch and also to stretch our tired and restricted legs.

Lunch at the lLodge was excellent as were the views across Lake Elementaita with its Flamingoes.

After lunch it was off to Nakuru NP which did not let us down although the time in the park, due to the delay iun obtaining tickets, DID!

We saw Rhino, Flamingo (millions!), Pelican, Baboon and many more ...... too many to merntion.

Had a realtive early night in the lodge after a good dinner and a brief dane exhibition by the maasai which some of the students joined in.

After the dance, it was bed for all of us followed by a damn god night's sleep..... we all needed it desperately.

After a 7 am call we had breakfast and headed for Marich.

We are all still in one piece as are the vehicles and currently typing this from Eldoret some 4-5 hours from MArich and we need to move to get there before dark!

Will write again when I have the chance........................ but suffice to say we are all having a fantastic time and the real fun starts now!

Today's the Day!

2009-05-25T21:10:00.000-07:00

Today is the day that we have all been waiting for............... the start of Stalham Does Kenya!

From now on the entries may, or may NOT (!!!), be regular depending on the availability of the internet during our wandering but I will endeavour to keep all those that are interested, up to date with all the happenings during our travels around Kenya.

Eureka!!!

2009-05-25T01:10:00.001-07:00

It works........... hopefully making regular updating of the BLOG that much easier.

Just Checking

2009-05-25T01:08:00.001-07:00

Out of interest just checking to see if I can still update the BLOG by E-mail............

This time KESHO (Tomorrow)

2009-05-24T22:51:00.000-07:00

Yes................... it is just a single, solitary day, a lone period of but 24 Hours and we're off.

We have all come a long way since the original seed was set and the proposal put forward............ and now we are on our way.

It is just a simple case of let's get there and enjoy it. We should grasp all opportunities that present themselves in order to enrich ourselves and to make the experience that much better.

The Exchange Rate remains unchanged from yesterday but that is irrelevant now because it's too late to get KSh from the Post Office and so we'll have to rely on FOREX Bureaus at the airport.

I hope that you all have a good time!

MBARA COMMUNITY

2009-05-24T04:02:00.000-07:00

Through FACEBOOK I made contact with PETER NYOROSOK who is from the area we are to visit. He is extremely interested in developing the area and raising our awareness of the Pokot people and their needs for the basic necessities of life.

He has suggested many places for us to visit but unfortunately time will probably not permit. however, maybe this can be done in the future if other visits were to be planned. Alternatively there is nothing stopping others wanting to visit this beautiful, little visited, area of Kenya and explore these other areas themselves.

Peter did give me the following link which at first glance looks like an ideal area to visit. So please CLICK on the link below and explore a little more of what West Pokot has to offer.

MBARA COMMUNITY

The Day After Tomorrow

2009-05-23T23:14:00.000-07:00

2 DAYS to go........... YES, only 48 Hours!

EXCHANGE RATE - £1 = KSh 113.95 i.e. As Yesterday but this is about as high as it has been since the monitoring of the Exchange Rate began and considerably BETTER than the worst rate seen!!!

The Final Countdown

2009-05-23T11:55:00.000-07:00

3 DAYS to go........... YES, only 72 Hours!

EXCHANGE RATE - £1 = KSh 113.95................ NOT as good as yesterday's rate, BUT a hell of a lot better than it has been over recent weeks!

KWS Park Entry Fees 2009

2009-05-22T09:06:00.000-07:00

For those of you that are interested............. here are the rates for entry into all the Kenyan Wildlife Parks, Reserves etc.

KWS PARK ENTRY FEES 2009

These prices were updated on 1st January 2009 but this does not affect the student rate of US$20. However the cost for adults has increased 50% to US$60.00 per day!!

Kenya is but a stone's throw away!!!

2009-05-22T06:00:00.000-07:00

.......... and then there were only 4 DAYS to go........... YES, only 96 Hours!

Better still.............................NO MORE SCHOOL until 8th JUNE.............. at least fro those going to Kenya!!!!!

EXCHANGE RATE - £1 = KSh 114.46................ I'M GLAD THAT I HELD ON!

Just around the corner!

2009-05-21T04:25:00.000-07:00

.......... and then there were only 5 DAYS to go........... YES, only 120 Hours!

EXCHANGE RATE - £1 = KSh 113.48................ A DRAMATIC INCREASE!

Last hurdle in sight

2009-05-20T05:41:00.000-07:00

........... and then there were only 6 DAYS to go........... YES, only 144 Hours!

EXCHANGE RATE - £1 = KSh 111.31................ Down again!

The time is rapidly approaching

2009-05-18T14:14:00.000-07:00

........... and then there was only ONE WEEK to go........... YES, only 168 Hours!

Thought about getting organized.............. got a headache................ think about it again KESHO!

EXCHANGE RATE - £1 = KSh 112.10................ On the rise ........ lets hope that it stays that way!

K Minus 8 and COUNTING!

2009-05-17T21:54:00.001-07:00

........... and then there were 8........... YES, only 192 Hours!

Better start thinking about getting organized.................... but, hey, still over a week to go!

EXCHANGE RATE - £1 = KSh 109.80................ to be updated LATERS

The HOME Stretch

2009-05-16T13:56:00.000-07:00

Days to do..... K-1............... 9 (216 hours)!!!!

Now down to single figures.

It really is that close.

Still won't bother packing until the morning we leave. Never do packing for holidays until the very last minute............. so why should I be any different this time. However, for me, the strappy tops and hot pants art definitely OUT!

However, I must admit that I have started putting together a list of those all important gadgets................... clothes can wait........ just want to make sure I can get all the evidence on a camera or video..................... with the amount of gadgets I'll probably only have room for a T-shirt, a pair of shorts and a toothbrush as part of my meagre 20kg allowance!

The FInal Countdown

2009-05-16T04:41:00.000-07:00

Days to do..... K-1............... 10 (240 hours)!!!!

Yes, for all but the Year 10's, only 5 school days before we sail (OK, fly!) off into the wild blue yonder! Better still some year 9's are off to Belgium and so no more school for them before Kenya.

EXCHANGE RATE - £1 = KSh 110.71................ Moving steadily upwards!

Am I going on the trip?

2009-05-15T08:44:00.000-07:00

I have recently been asked by a number of people whether or not I'm going on the trip.

The answer is a definite YES............. I wouldn't miss it for the world.

Why am I doing it? The simple answer is for the students. It was they who set the ball in motion by asking whether they could see where the money raised had gone. It is their enthusiasm and encouragement that have kept me from going mad and totally losing my sanity.

One parent commented that this must have caused me a lot of blood, sweat and tears............ Yes to tears, yes to sweat, but as yet, no blood either mine or anybody else's!

The light is shining brighter!

2009-05-15T01:30:00.000-07:00

Days to do..... K-1............... 11 (264 hours)!!!!

Yes, for all but the Year 10's, only 6 school days before we sail (OK, fly!) off into the wild blue yonder!

EXCHANGE RATE - £1 = KSh 110.61................ One SMALL step for man, one GIANT leap for Stalham High School Students on Tour in Kenya...............
............. More COKE for your money!

Just a couple of concerns...............

2009-05-14T00:46:00.000-07:00

This is in response to ill-informed, inaccurate, derogatory, misleading and totally factless information relayed to the students and their parents!!! PLEASE READ ON.........

I spent almost 8 years of my life in East Africa and the only place that I had problems was in Nairobi, hence the decision NOT to visit Nairobi itself. Yes we will pass through and whilst we are, again as already stated and documented last year, we will need to keep the windows shut whilst the mini-bus is moving slowly or it is stationary as there are plenty of "snakes & hyenas" who will take advantage of an opportunity to snatch something or anything through an open window.

You have been warned and you have been again!

Elsewhere in Kenya, in Marich, at Elementaita and in the Masai Mara there will NOT be a problem. However, do not be complacent and be vigilant at all times............... LOOK AFTER YOUR PROPERTY................ IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY! Don't just leave things laying around the place!

In general terms the Kenyan people are lovely, hardworking and honest people. The Pokot who we will meet in Marich depend on the Field Study Centre for their livelihoods. The visitors to the centre bring donations of both money and material goods which also benefit the lives of the local people. This generosity has resulted in improvements to their lives e.g. A girls dormitory, the school at the centre, a mill and the provision of water pumped from a well near the river up to a storage tank in the village. There are many, many other projects ongoing in the area as well as those already completed and benefitting the Pokot of West Pokot.

If the local populace were to do something or anything to bring a bad name to Marich the long-term effect on the people would be just catastrophic. Just one silly mistake would result in the loss of jobs, the closure of the centre and income from donations drying up..................... they would suffer and they are all aware of this fact!

People who make sweeping statements about Kenya and Kenyans should visit the country first and complete their research before they open their mouths and make disparaging remarks! I personally would feel safer anywhere in Kenya in comparison to certain areas of London and other British cities........... including Norwich!!!!

Excitement rises to FEVER PITCH!

2009-05-14T00:43:00.000-07:00

Days to do..... K-1............... 12 (288 hours)!!!!

Yes, for all but the Year 10's, only 7 school days before we sail (OK, fly!) off into the wild blue yonder!

EXCHANGE RATE - £1 = KSh 108.10................ Here we go again! However, just waiting to hear what the exchange rate is in Kenya.....................

Current FOREX rate in Nairobi is £1 = KSh 114.00

MEETING TONIGHT - WEDS 13th MAY @ 18:00 hrs

2009-05-12T22:21:00.001-07:00

The penultimate KENYA TRIP MEETING is to be held tonight!

Please don't miss this opportunity to clear up any of those last minute worries, concerns or niggles about the trip.

GETTING EXCITED?

2009-05-12T22:19:00.000-07:00

Days to do..... K-1................. 13 (312 hours)!!!!

Yes, for all but the Year 10's, only 8 school days before we sail (OK, fly!) off into the wild blue yonder!

EXCHANGE RATE - £1 = KSh 108.72

Boring BLOG Posts!

2009-05-12T11:26:00.000-07:00

This BLOG is becoming tediously boring but hope to have a lot to write about tomorrow!

2 TO GO....... Weeks that is!

2009-05-12T03:22:00.000-07:00

Days to do..... K-1................. 14 (336 hours)!!!!

Yes, just a fortnight, two weeks or half a month.............. whichever way you look at it we'll soon be there.

EXCHANGE RATE - £1 = KSh 108.72............................... a DOWNWARD WOBBLE........... BOO!!!

We're on the final stretch + Money!

2009-05-11T08:54:00.000-07:00

Days to do..... K-1................. 15 (360 hours)!!!!

EXCHANGE RATE - £1 = KSh 109.88............................... an UPWARD WOBBLE........... HOORAY!!!

Better still.......... one currency converter is quoting in excess of KSh 117 to the Pound.

Check out this link: xe

We're off the week after next!

2009-05-10T00:28:00.000-07:00

Days to do..... K-1................. 16 (384 hours)!!!!

EXCHANGE RATE - £1 = KSh 108.71 ............................... it's the weekend and so NO WOBBLES............. either UP or DOWN!

Light at the end of the tunnel and a WOBBLE!

2009-05-09T06:21:00.000-07:00

Days to do..... K-1................. 17 (408 hours)!!!!

EXCHANGE RATE - £1 = KSh 108.71 ............................... a WOBBLE!!

NEWS............. or LACK OF IT!

2009-05-08T11:17:00.001-07:00

Sorry that this BLOG is becoming very repetitious but since I am no longer the group leader, I'm not making any of the decisions, nor am I in the know or permitted to comment on changes to the itinerary or other trip arrangements.

If you need information or clarification on anything trip related please see the trip leader.

There is light at the end of the tunnel!

2009-05-08T08:49:00.000-07:00

Days to do..... K-1................. 18 (432 hours)

YES, just 10 school days to take off.......... BUT for the Year 10's, it is now Work Experience and that's it............... NO MORE SCHOOL!

Days to do..... K-2............... STILL ABSOLUTELY GUTTED THAT IT HAS BEEN CANCELLED!!!!!

WHICH IS STILL AN UNDERSTATEMENT, BUT THERE IS HOPE! SO IF YOU ARE STILL INTERESTED, CONTACT UK CONNECTION on the TEL. NO. PROVIDED.

EXCHANGE RATE - £1 = KSh 108.97 ............................... the great ROLLERCOASTER RIDE CONTINUES!!

We're getting there......................

2009-05-07T10:27:00.000-07:00

Days to do..... K-1................. 19 (456 hours)

YES, just 11 school days to take off.......... and for the lucky ones in Year 10 undertaking work experience, they have only 1 school day remaining!!!!

Days to do..... K-2............... STILL ABSOLUTELY GUTTED THAT IT HAS BEEN CANCELLED!!!!!

WHICH IS STILL AN UNDERSTATEMENT!

EXCHANGE RATE - £1 = KSh 106.82 ................ the great ROLLERCOASTER!!

The countdown continues............... + KSh

2009-05-06T10:04:00.000-07:00

Days to do..... K-1................. 20 (480 hours)

YES, just 12 school days to take off.......... and for the lucky ones in Year 10 undertaking work experience, they have only 2 school days remaining!!!!

Days to do..... K-2............... ABSOLUTELY GUTTED THAT IT HAS BEEN CANCELLED!!!!!

WHICH IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT!

EXCHANGE RATE - £1 = KSh 108.02

LESS Ksh for your Pound!!!.......... I'm hanging on until Kenya!

COUNTDOWN TO KENYA + KSh

2009-05-04T14:53:00.000-07:00

Days to do..... K-1................. 21 (504 hours)

YES, just 3 weeks to take off!

Days to do..... K-2................. 76 (1824 hours)

EXCHANGE RATE - £1 = KSh 109.81

More Ksh for your Pound!!!

We're getting there......................

2009-05-04T01:12:00.000-07:00

Forgot to post yesterday......................... far too much on my mind but just because there was no posting doesn't mean that K-Day failed to get closer than it was!!!!

Days to do..... K-1................. 22 (528 hours)

Days to do..... K-2................. 77 (1848 hours)

Exchange Rate.......... WE WILL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL TUESDAY i.e. TOMORROW.............. or as they say in KENYA..... KESHO!

REGISTERED

2009-05-03T03:04:00.001-07:00

I have now registered to be able to update the BLOG from a phone enabled to send E-mails.

Hope that it works................. shame that I can't just 'POP' over to Kenya to see that it does!

Registered

2009-05-03T02:52:00.001-07:00

Have just registered to be able to send updates to the BLOG, including feedback directly from Kenya.

Excitement and Anticipation increases............. it's getting nearer!!

2009-05-02T22:47:00.000-07:00

Days to do..... K-1.......... 24 (576 hours)

Days to do..... K-2.......... 79 (1896 hours)

Exchange Rate.......... It's the weekend and, as such, no change until after the Bank Holiday. Therefore rate stands at £1 = KSh 108.27............. That is if you can get into a post office during the Bank Holiday Weekend!?!?!?

2009-05-02T09:00:00.000-07:00

GREAT NEWS!!!!

I have just heard that the cost of the visas has been confirmed.

The cost for all students under the age of 16 is ZERO!! That means that none of the students going to Kenya will have to pay for a visa............... a saving from the original costings of £35 per student!!!

Furthermore the Kenyan Government have generously reduced the cost of the adult visa from £35 to £20.

This arrangement, in force until 2010, is in an attempt to stimulate the tourist industry.

Getting closer............... + Money

2009-05-02T08:57:00.000-07:00

Days to do..... K-1.......... 24 (576 hours)

Only 14 Days of school.

Days to do..... K-2.......... 79 (1896 hours)

Exchange Rate.......... £1 = KSh 108.21

Countdown To Kenya + KSh

2009-04-30T22:51:00.000-07:00

Days to do..... K-1.......... 25 (600 hours)

Days to do..... K-2.......... 80 (1920 hours)

Exchange Rate.......... £1 = KSh 108.27

Days to do and Money

2009-04-30T01:59:00.000-07:00

Days to do..... K-1.......... 26 (624 hours)

Days to do..... K-2.......... 81 (1944 hours)

Exchange Rate.......... £1 = KSh 108.45

K-1; K-2 & Kenyan Currency

2009-04-28T23:19:00.000-07:00

K1 - 27 Days..... 648 Hours!!! YES, LESS THAN 4 weeks!!!

That is only 16 school days...............!!!!

K2 - 82 Days..... 1,968 Hours!!!

Exchange Rate - KSh ???.??.......... to be UPDATED LATER.

UDATE.......... KSH 107.33

Organization and Final Arrangements

2009-04-28T09:18:00.000-07:00

As we approach that big day, everyone should be putting things together and ensuring that everything on the equipment/clothing list has been bought, borrowed or begged!

Ensure that you have your own personal first aid kit, camera (vitally important), memory cards, batteries and/or battery charger and your notebook to keep a diary etc. etc.................. everything you need is on the list.

Also bear in mind that the limit for luggage is 20kg per person but try to limit your checked bag to 18kg to give us spare for the goodies that we are going to donate to the people of Marich.

Finally........... anything of value, items that you will need whilst in the mini bus and those precious items that you don't want crushed e.g. cameras and things that might leak all over your clothes if they were squashed, should be carried in your hand luggage.

K-1 ; K-2 & £:KSh Rate

2009-04-28T00:22:00.000-07:00

K1 - 28 Days..... 672 Hours!!! YES, only 4 weeks!!!

That is only 17 school days............... sounds better by the minute or should that be day?!?!?!

K2 - 83 Days..... 1,992 Hours!!!

Exchange Rate - KSh 106.85

K1 & K2 + KSh

2009-04-26T23:36:00.000-07:00

K1 - 29 Days..... 696 Hours!!!

K2 - 84 Days..... 2,016 Hours!!!

Exchange Rate - KSh ???.??.......... It's still the weekend as it is sooooooo early, so still NO change from Friday!

*****NEWSFLASH*****

Now it's NOT the weekend and we're down to KSh 106.74!!

K1 & 2 PLUS Foreign Exch.

2009-04-26T02:34:00.000-07:00

K1 - 30 Days..... 720 Hours!!!

K2 - 85 Days..... 2,040 Hours!!!

Exchange Rate - KSh 107.61.......... It's the weekend, so NO change there!

K-1, K-2 & Kenyan Currency

2009-04-25T04:40:00.000-07:00

K1 - 31 Days..... 744 Hours!!!

K2 - 86 Days..... 2,064 Hours!!!

Exchange Rate - KSh 107.61.......... mmmmmmmm!

ACCOMMODATION UPGRADE + Links

2009-04-24T11:56:00.001-07:00

I have been informed today that accommodation in Nakuru both on the journey to Marich and on the return from Marich will be at Lake Elementaita Lodge.

This TREAT has kindly been provided by the travel company who are organising the major part of the Field Trip - UK Connection

This is a beautiful, historic lodge with panoramic views across Lake Elementaita to the northwest.

Links to the lodge can be found in the links at the foot of this BLOG or have been reproduced here for ease of access.

LAKE ELEMENTAITA LODGE

- A website offered by a safari company with pictures of both the interior and exterior of the Lodge. 8 different Videos are also available using links at the bottom of this web page. These show film of both the interior and exterior of the Lodge as well as panoramic views of the area surrounding the Lodge.

WIKIMAPIA - This shows a satellite map of the lake, the position of the Lodge in relation to it and the location of Lake Nakuru to the northwest.

K1, K2 & KSh

2009-04-24T11:49:00.000-07:00

K1 - 32 Days..... 768 Hours!!!

K2 - 87 Days..... 2,088 Hours!!!

Exchange Rate - KSh 107.78.......... HOORAY!!! FINALLY!

K-1, K-2 & Foreign Currency

2009-04-23T13:17:00.000-07:00

K1 - 33 Days..... 792 Hours!!!

K2 - 88 Days..... 2,112 Hours!!!

Exchange Rate - KSh 106.22.......... clearly even the Kenyan shilling didn't like our BUDGET &/or the CHANCELLOR &/or the PM!!!

K-1, K-2 & KSH!!

2009-04-22T09:53:00.000-07:00

K1 - 34 Days..... 816 Hours!!!

K2 - 89 Days..... 2,136 Hours!!!

Exchange Rate - KSh 106.99.......... a miniscule improvement but better up than down!

K-1 & K-2 and dare I mention it, the EXCH. RATE!?!?

2009-04-21T10:02:00.000-07:00

K1 - 35 Days..... 840 Hours!!

K2 - 90 Days..... 2160 Hours!!

EXCHANGE RATE...... KSh 106.65............... What can I say?

Days To Do........... & Exch. Rate

2009-04-20T09:43:00.000-07:00

K1 - 36 Days..... 864 Hours

K2 - 91 Days..... 2184 Hours

Exchange Rate: KSh108.49.................. WHOOPS!

PAYMENTS

2009-04-18T04:43:00.000-07:00

Would all trip participants please ensure that PAYMENTS for the trip are UP TO DATE by the end of the first week of the Summer Term

i.e. By Friday 24th April 2009.

IF you need to discuss this please see Mr. H or other members of staff accompanying you to Kenya.

Thanks

K-1 & K-2 plus Exch. Rate

2009-04-18T04:34:00.000-07:00

K-1 minus 38 Days..... 912 Hours!

K-2 minus 93 Days..... 2232 Hours!

Exchange Rate UP................... slightly @ KSh109.85!

Sigur Rós - Hoppípolla

2009-04-17T05:59:00.000-07:00

This is another one of those videos that I just warmed to the first time I heard/watched it.

Hope that you like it to......................

The Link................ HOPPIPOLLA

......... an alternative video but with the same soundtrack can be found by clicking here:

EARTH DAY '08

EARTH DAY 2009 - The Green Generation

2009-04-17T01:10:00.000-07:00

Earth Day 2009 is on

WEDNESDAY 22nd APRIL.

This will mark the beginning of The Green Generation Campaign with a focus on

1.......... RENEWABLE ENERGY i.e A Carbon Free Future.

2.......... RESPONSIBLE, SUSTAINABLE Consumption.

3.......... GREEN JOBS to relieve POVERTY and transforming the GLOBAL EDUCATION SYSTEM into a GREEN ONE.

Link........ EARTH DAY 2009

The Video below is from EARTH DAY 2008

The Link to this Video on You Tube can be found by CLICKING HERE

AYUB OGADA - EARTH DAY 2008

K-1 & K-2 plus Exch. Rate

2009-04-17T00:04:00.000-07:00

K1 - 39 Days..... 936 Hours!

K2 - 94 Days..... 2256 Hours!

Exchange Rate: KSh 109.79..................... on the SLIDE again!

Anti-malarial Prophylaxis

2009-04-16T23:50:00.000-07:00

A couple of days ago, a parent enquired about the cost of Anti-malarial drugs.

I was led to believe that the cost for one type of drug was in the region of £70 for a course of treatment. I am now to understand that BOOTS charge £60 to fill the prescription for this drug.

I will endeavour to find which drug/anti-malarial this student is taking.

In addition I have found the following website, which, if you're interested, explains the whole thing about Malaria, including the Prevention and Treatment of Malaria....

The Travel Doctor

I strongly recommend that all parents/guardians read this article.

FLICKR

2009-04-16T13:20:00.000-07:00

More photos of Marich have just been uploaded to FLICKR.

CLICK HERE: FLICKR

LUGGAGE

2009-04-16T11:11:00.000-07:00

HOT OFF THE PRESS................ NEWSFLASH!!!!

QD at Cherry Lane @ Fritton Lake & Pulham as well as Lathams, Potter Heigham are offering wheeled holdalls at the bargain price of £12.00.

They are available in Blue, Green and Pink.

T-Shirt Design - REAR

2009-04-16T10:57:00.000-07:00

Meteor Parking, who kindly donated £1,000 to the Kenya Field Trip, have proposed the following to be printed on the back of the T-Shirts...............

Stanham High School visit to Kenya supported by

K-1 & K-2 plus Exch. Rate

2009-04-16T00:58:00.000-07:00

K-1 minus 40 Days..... 960 Hours!!!

K-2 minus 95 Days..... 2280 Hours!!!

Exch. Rate: KSh111.18.......................... trend is definitely up................... or will I shortly be eating my words............. AGAIN?

Weird 'AFRICAN' shaped crisp!

2009-04-15T04:31:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, as I was contemplating the trip to Africa and eating a packet of Walkers Chili and Mango Flavoured crisps.............. out popped a crisp in the shape of Africa.

I then thought of a million pounds and there the coincidences stopped!!!

OK Geography geeks................. where's Madagascar?

Must have eaten it............... Oops!

UPDATE 16/04/09........... Thinking about it, it looks NOTHING LIKE Africa!

K-Days and Exchange Rate

2009-04-15T01:09:00.000-07:00

K-1 minus 41 days..... 984 Hours!!

K-2 minus 96 days..... 2304 Hours!!

Exchange Rate..... KSh 110.15..................... a slight improvement!

Days / Hours to do............ & KSh

2009-04-14T06:41:00.000-07:00

K1 - 42 Days.......... 1008 Hours

K2 - 97 Days.......... 2328 Hours

............... dare I mention the exchange rate?

An improvement at KSh 110.12

............... However, NOT counting my chickens................. Nor my Kenyan Shillings!

FLICKR

2009-04-14T06:05:00.000-07:00

Have just established a FLICKR Account............... just CLICK on the link below:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/west_pokot_kenya/

I will hopefully add more photos to this and by the looks of it will be able to upload pictures to here when we are in Kenya.

For somebody else's slant on the area to be visited in May/June, why not search for either Marich Pass or Pokot under photos on Flickr. There are some outstanding photos from other people who have visited this beautiful area of Kenya............ or if searching is too time consuming, just click on the links, for Marich Pass and Pokot respectively, below.....

http://www.flickr.com/search/?ss=2&w=all&q=marich+pass&m=text

http://www.flickr.com/search/?q=pokot

T-Shirt Design

2009-04-13T13:13:00.000-07:00

This is the design that is being put forward for the Field Trip T-Shirts that are being donated by Meteor Meet & Greet Parking.

Comments about the design, font, wording etc., ASAP Please.......................

In addition I need the sizes of T-shirts that are required by the trip participants................... again, ASAP!

Thanks

K1 & K2 and New Charity

2009-04-13T00:03:00.000-07:00

K1..... 43 Days ................. 1032 Hours!

K2..... 98 Days ................. 2352 Hours!

No change in exchange rate.................... everything closed for Easter! Watch this space tomorrow! Will it go up or down.................?

Nelson Mandela Quote

2009-04-12T10:41:00.000-07:00

Nelson Mandela also said..........

"Education is the great engine of personal development. It is through education that the daughter of a peasant can become a doctor, that a son of a mineworker can become the head of the mine, that a child of farm workers can become the president..."

mmmmm!!............ Thought provoking............... and without education what will the sons and daughters of the Pokot become?................ How will they fulfil their dreams?

K1 & K2 and New Charity

2009-04-12T03:17:00.000-07:00

Days to do are getting few............

K1.......... 44 Days..... 1056 Hours!!!!

K2.......... 99 Days..... 2376 Hours!!!!

I am considering setting up a New Charity to help those children in Kenya whose access to education is severely limited.

Following on from our fundraising efforts to build a school in Marich, the enthusiasm of our students to visit the area and a recent estimate that about 100 schools are needed in Pokot it is clear that we have only scratched the surface.

Nelson Mandela once said that

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”

This would imply that without education, the world would NOT change and as such, if the children of the Pokot Region of Kenya were deprived of an education........................ their lives would not change.

Consequently it would be nice to be able to offer these children a chance to change their world by providing schools and, through these, an education to every child in the region.

We are provided with an education as a right and few of us look on this as a privilege. For the children of Pokot, they look on the opportunity of an education as a privilege which provides them with a chance to better their lives and those around them. They are also aware that without an education their chance to escape their day to day existence is severely limited.

If anyone has any ideas please let me know and let's get this show on the road.

Suggestions for the name of the Charity would also be most welcome.

A school costs £10,000................................ 100 schools = £1 million!!

New Link - Gamewatchers Safaris

2009-04-11T02:55:00.000-07:00

Having, as you do, surfed the web I came across the following site.

Gamewatchers Safaris

On this site one can discover more about the Masai Mara and Nakuru National Park and read about what one may encounter during our visits to these two world famous safari must visits!

Having looked into this website a little deeper I find that the cost of some of their 2 night/ 3 day safaris, excluding flights to/from Kenya, are more expensive than what we are paying for the 11 nights / 12 days field trip, including flights, on which we are about to embark!!!

K1 & K2

2009-04-11T01:15:00.000-07:00

K1 - 45 Days!.................... K minus 1080 Hours!!

K2 - 100 Days!.................... K minus 2400 Hours!!

No change in exchange rate and, as I type, nothing else to say apart from enjoy your Easter and last few days of freedom.

K2-day

2009-04-10T03:25:00.000-07:00

In answer to one of the students who signed up for the 2nd trip to Kenya (K2) it is only 101 days until we have lift off! Again, in terms of hours, that is only 2424 hours................. and counting!!

However, for the participants of this trip it will probably seem like a lifetime away as they all have to deal with the stresses, strains and associated studying of the upcoming and imminent GCSE's. Good Luck to you all................... the trip is going to be the reward for all that hard work................... it will ALL be worth it in the end..................... and the Kenya trip, for the lucky few, will be the icing on the proverbial cake.

K-Day

2009-04-10T00:03:00.000-07:00

K Minus 46 days (that's 1,104 hours!!!!)

That is only 23 school days........................ getting closer........................ in next to no time we'll be on our way.

Hope that all the packing is progressing well....................... or is everybody leaving it until the night before!?!?

Exchange Rate........ KSh 109.04!! NO COMMENT!

K-Day and Exchange Rate

2009-04-09T02:32:00.000-07:00

K minus 47!!!!

The exchange rate, through the Post Office, for Currency orders made today is KSh 109.29.

Please note that this is the on-line rate and I am NOT sure what rate the Post Office itself will offer!

Glad that I'm not an investment banker........................ however, I still believe that there will be an upturn......................... quite happy to eat my words and extract rather large foot from mouth!

Have just heard from Paul in Marich at the Field Studies Centre that the University of Sheffield are currently having a great time on their annual Field Trip and Royal Holloway, who just left, had a great visit.

In addition, it would appear that our efforts to raise money for the school have not gone unnoticed. There are a number of areas in West Pokot which would also like to have schools and the DC (District Commissioner) is going to let Paul know how many schools are needed!

In the words of Bob the Builder................... can we fix it................. yes we can!

Depending on the number of schools............................ lets see what we can do. Any advice on massive fundraising projects (£1 million), would be gratefully received.