I had planned to write this blog on Friday evening so I could take my time on Saturday and enjoy the sunrise, but all best-laid plans and all that. I started it and then went to bed with a bad back. However, sitting here this morning, of my birthday I might add, I was self-indulgent and sat with a couple of the kids who had decided to get up early and watch the sunrise! So my apologies if this ends up coming out late!
The Last day in schools
The last day in our schools is always an emotional one and with two of our schools being extremely large primary schools, there wasn't really a strong bond with individual students, whereas St Columban's school for the deaf is a really small school so our students created really strong bonds with the few students that they got to know over the two weeks.
I was at Erang today as Paul, their chairman of the board had requested me to come along.
The team spent about 30 minutes finishing their mural before we had to stop and enjoy the festivities.
The staff and Erang did an amazing job of singing and dancing and speeches that lasted for a couple of hours. We had speeches from everyone as usual and Paul spoke about how well our team took to each of the tasks they were shown, and taught and how well they got on. He said that they should all be given a credit on their return as they have earned it. I spoke to him later and said that their credit is to themselves, and how they take this whole experience with them in later life! They gave us traditional gifts of beads that go around your head and the staff all got Masi blankets.
A change in direction
After an emotional departure from St Columbans, we had to make a short pit stop at Dorothy school. This is the school behind the AGC Church that we visited and enjoyed the Scout Camp at. This was quite a change as we were here to lay a stone in their new science lab. For some of our students this was not something that they could manage and so they stayed away from the celebration. This was absolutely acceptable as they were still emotional from saying their good byes.
The Science lab is being named after me. This is a really alien feeling for me as I never feel that I deserve these things at all. I have clearly spent the last 12 years as a teacher, 7 years as a scout leader, to share experiences with children. This trip has seen the students have some of the greatest experiences of their lives and knowing this is why I keep doing it. We made some easy decisions, to support a few deprived children and the school has decided to create the Andy Cooper, or Andy Coops, something close this lab. I had to go in and lay a couple of corner stones within the classroom that is being converted. Another first for me and I wait to see the photos of the finished lab. I guess at some point I will have to come back and see the room actually being used!
A celebration
Each year we usually get invited to Mama Sitti's house. This year was the first that we didn't go due to her ill health last week so we instead had afternoon tea with her at the Karibuni. We crammed the whole team onto the veranda where Theresa, Mama and I cut this amazing cake.
We also had a visit from one of the Rover scouts that wanted to come and see us before we left. Her mother works on a market stall selling fruit and veg so she brought us a giant bag full of oranges and carrots. I graciously accepted this giant bag and instead of giving everyone a carrot for their packed lunch for Saturday gave the whole lot to Theresa who I know will make use of it.
Our last night was a quiet night. A lovely dinner, an emotional speech from me which made me cry and then an easy night of packing and getting ready to go.
I will miss Theresa, her kids and staff and the Karibuni. The home that we have had for just over 2 weeks has been an integral part of the trip and I can't think of a better place to stay in Kenya.
Tomorrow we travel down to Nakuru, for the last 2 nights of our adventure, crossing the equator and having a little bit of luxury at the end of this adventure.
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