Countdown To Kenya + KSh

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

ACCOMMODATION UPGRADE + Links

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

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

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

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

K-1, K-2 & Foreign Currency

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!!

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!?!?

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

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

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

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

K1 - 36 Days..... 864 Hours

K2 - 91 Days..... 2184 Hours

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

PAYMENTS

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

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

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

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

Sigur Rós - Hoppípolla

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

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

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

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

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

Anti-malarial Prophylaxis

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

More photos of Marich have just been uploaded to FLICKR.

CLICK HERE: FLICKR

LUGGAGE

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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. 

Foreign Exchange - £ to KSh

Today's Exchange Rate is 109.71!

Looking at graphs on other sites............. the trend is still up.

However, I am no financial expert and who knows what will happen............. the trend next week maybe down but I'm still waiting until we get to Kenya.............. at this moment in time.

Your choice.

Watch this space.

Days to do are getting few!

K minus 48 days!

From it being almost a year, we're now less than two months away from the big day and can say to people that NEXT MONTH we're off to Kenya.

In answer to the question put to me by one parent.................. Yes, if you would like to send anything to Kenya in the way of gifts e.g. Pens, Pencils, Books, Clothes (as per the BLOG Post of a few days ago) please feel free to do so..................... BUT, please include it in the student's baggage allowance as we are not sure how much leeway the airline will allow us and we have a considerable load which we are taking and very much relying on the generosity and goodwill of KENYA AIRWAYS.

Again........................ if you need advice.......................... contact me.

There are a number of students who still have outstanding paperwork or copies of passports. If you are NOT sure if this means YOU................... just ask. I will of course endeavour to contact then directly.

Finally.................. This is the first trip of its kind ever offered by Stalham High School................ For this reason, once the trip is done and dusted, I intend to send out a small questionnaire asking all parents and trip participants how they felt about the trip, the benefits, value for money, educational benefits, affect on the student etc...........................  I have received, over recent weeks, a number of very supportive E-mails and comments from students and parents alike but it would be nice to know if they still felt the same way after the event. Of course comments, both positive and otherwise, are most welcome at anytime. It is only these that will help us to ensure that this trip provides what it said on the label!

Foreign Exchange - £ to KSh

Today's Currency Exchange rate is £1 = KSh 110.14

This is a slight fall on yesterday's rate from the Post Office.

Will update kesho (that's tomorrow in Swahili)

K-Day

K minus 49!

Yes just 7 weeks and we're off!

As the departure time nears I am sure that more and more of you will start to panic about one thing or another. DON'T PANIC!!!!

Let me do all the worrying and take on board all of the stress............... believe me, I've become accustomed to it!!!

If you have any concerns.................... Ask...................... everything will be just fine.

Just ensure that everything that you have to do, pack, take, plan, get injected for, pay, eat, swallow, purchase, read or fill out................... is done or will be done by the time we leave.

Most important is your passport.................. DON'T FORGET IT!!!!!

Foreign Exchange - £ to KSh

K-minus 50 and counting...............

A parent has today contacted me with regards to exchanging Pounds Sterling for Kenyan Shillings before we leave. This can be achieved by ordering the KSh at the Post Office in advance and collecting the foreign currency some days later, with there being a minimum exchange of £25 with no fee. This it was suggested would prevent the delay in Nairobi at the airport.

The reason for suggesting that all exchanges take place in Nairobi was to ensure that we obtain the best exchange rate.................. experience tells me that Kenya offers the better deal which I can only think is down to them being able to obtain foreign currency.

Will update as soon as I have figures from Kenya....................... waiting on reply as I type this!

The exchange rate showing on the currency converter website is £1 = KSh 118.84

This figure is much improved over recent months when it has dropped as low as KSh110 against a high of 137 in Sept/Oct last year.

Still awaiting feedback from Kenya and will check with PO as to what they are currently offering.

PO offering £1 = KSh 110.91 with no commission with immediate effect. But, as they say, it can go up as well as down. 

Forex in Nairobi offering KSh 114 to the Pound!

K-Day

K minus 50

Have just heard from Paul Roden at Marich Pass..................... it has been raining but now the weather has cleared and everything that can make noise................. IS! To me that means the cicadas and other insects as well as the song of hundreds of species of birds that fill the air from sunrise to sunset.

I close my eyes and I'm there..................... and soon 30+ of us will be!

In answer to many questions that I have been asked............... if you want to take packs of pens, pencils, crayons or felt tips as GIFTS for the children in Marich and elsewhere please feel free to do so. In addition, old clothes or shoes can be taken and Paul Roden will arrange distribution to those in greatest need of support. Furthermore, if you have children's books which are surplus to requirements, these can also be taken and perhaps we can start to build a small library in order to improve the literacy of some.

We are taking with us, as reported in an earlier post, a supply of T-Shirts and Sweat Shirts which were kindly donated and more recently a company in Norwich has donated a supply of stationery which will be added to the pile of donations accumulating in my lab at school.

HOWEVER, do not forget that the baggage limit will be 20kg per passenger although there is always some leeway but at the discretion of the airline. This does not mean that 20kg has to be taken as any shortfall, I'm sure, will be absorbed by the 'donations' that we will be caryng with us. Also remember to carry valuables and heavier items in your hand luggage and it is best to wear clothing that may be bulky or weighty thus reducing the weight (or should that be mass?) of checked baggage.

K-Day

K minus 51

Yes, just 51 days to put everything together, get all the necessary kit and get on that coach for the experience of a lifetime!

It is very important that you have everything you need i.e what is detailed on the equipment/clothing list as an omission may make the difference between a FANTASTIC field trip and one that might NOT live up to the hype and your expectations.

Furthermore, for the trip to be totally successful, it is of the utmost importance that everyone on the trip works as a TEAM............. students, volunteers and staff alike. Without the team spirit things may not go according to plan! We therefore have to watch out for each other, support each other and most of all ensure that everyone follows simple common sense rules thus safeguarding the welfare of all and the success of the trip.

52 DAYS ............ and COUNTING

TESCO BAG PACKING - Sat 4th April 2009

Many apologies for the 'late in the day' canceling of today's Bag Packing Fundraiser at Tesco Stalham. This was beyond MY control. Had I had anything to do with it, it would have gone ahead as planned.

So, if your schedule or plans were affected in any way, please accept my sincere apologies.

On a more positive note, the Store Manager has agreed, in principal, to the bag packing taking place some time after Easter..................... and before we set off for Kenya................... obviously!

Watch this space for details.

K-DAY is RAPIDLY APPROACHING

Yes, K-Day (Kenya Day) is rapidly approaching and before we know it the trip will be upon us.

It is just 52 days until we fly out and that time will rapidly fly past.

That is just 23 school days!

Planning from the organizational side of things is virtually complete. However we still require copies of passports from 4 students and so if you haven't already done so, please get this to MR.H as soon as you get back to school after the Easter Break. Furthermore there is one student who has not submitted any of the required paperwork and without this you will be prevented from traveling, it is as simple as that. As such, if you know that you have forms to be filled, there are other students, do not delay, get them to Mr.H.

Students should be starting to put together the essentials, as listed on the checklist provided in the information pack, to ensure that they have everything they need. If you have lost or misplaced the checklist, again, please see MR.H for a copy.

If there are any problems or you are not quite sure of something or want clarification on or help with some other matter, just ask!

Tacazze Kenya Tours

If anyone is interested in visiting Kenya and taking in Marich Pass, The Masai Mara National Reserve, Nakuru National Park and much of what is detailed in the itinerary as shown on this BLOG, please contact me on tacazze2@yahoo.co.uk.

The starting cost would be approx. £1,200 per person Low Season and in the region of £1,600 per person High Season with a minimum of 8 people traveling. The cost would be dependent on what the group wanted to do and where they wanted to go as the trip would be custom planned around your individual needs, wants and desires.

This would include all flights to and from Kenya and all transport, food and accommodation whilst in Kenya for a 12 days, 11 nights safari.

Safaris include an afternoon in the world famous Nakuru National Park which is home to over 250,000 Greater and Lesser Flamingo and is a WWF protected area for the endangered rhinocerus. The safari also included 3 days and 2 nights in the Masai Mara as seen on Big Cat Diaries.

The cost excludes visas (currently £30 per person), spending money, travel insurance, game park entrance fees, vacinations and transport from your home to and from Heathrow Airport.

Please ask for a quote.

Read all about the areas to be visited on this BLOG. Marich in West Pokot is a little visited area of Kenya about 500km north north west of Nairobi. The area has seen little development over the years and the Pokot people still live as they have for centuries. This is one of the last wild undiscovered areas of Kenya......................... visit and you won't be disappointed.