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.