Day 10

Today was eye-opening.

Very wet this morning. Katie and Danielle decided to get up an hour earlier than they wanted, so had to go back to bed in their school uniform!

We didn't need to get up at the crack of dawn today since the boys are all off on midterm break. Originally the form fours were to stay and revise but the Principal decided to let them have a well-deserved rest. This meant that we only needed to go into school to meet the parents of the four pupils coming to Scotland next year (well, the three that were able to make it). After a lengthy discussion involving the Vice Principal, Mr Ngeera, who is also coming in August 2012, led by Silas, we had tea and then the boys opened their surprise gifts. We feel they were overjoyed with their new hoodies, t-shirts, stationary and shortbread. The parents seemed concerned at first but quickly warmed to the partnership idea. They are all very pleasant and care for their sons. The boys are lovely- we are all fighting over them!

Lovely sun- I think we haven't been out in it for long enough though to get a tan- bring on Samburu!

After this exchange we had lunch in the boardroom before being picked up by Reverend Elijah to be taken to MCK Buuri E Kingori Primary School in the district next to Meru town. We were given another lunch at the school - we are nearly full to bursting at this point!!!- and some lovely gifts from the school. We were surprised by the generosity of the teachers and staff.
We got to see all the classes of the little children- they got cuter and smaller as we moved down the years. They all waved, clapped and cheered when we came into their classrooms. It was an uplifting experience. A bell rang and the pupils, some in red hats and bare feet, went onto the grass bank above the school and sang a beautiful song about us before we all shook hands with the tiny boys and girls. They then were dismissed and we drove past, waving to them as they walked home on the dusty tracks by themselves.
The main reason why Rev. Mwirigi brought us to the wonderful school was to witness the vast improvements made since money was given to them through the MSTF. Mrs Kerr will explain more on her post. However we were taken aback by their generosity despite their relative poverty and the fact that we have had nothing to do with the renovation. The school is now blessed with plastered walls and concrete paths and floors in all the classrooms. They are also in the process of constructing two new classrooms. We were amazed at their dedication.

Upon returning from the primary school, we visited the shopping mall Nakumatt in Meru where we stocked up on resources (sweets and Fanta!). Elijah seems to know everyone, so we bumped into the man responsible for the 300 schools in the same district as the MCK primary school. He has many contacts across Kenya. A remarkable man.

Dinner at Thiiri Centre before a blogging session. Tomorrow is the tea plantation visit- a drive of about 90 minutes. We are to take packed lunches on the day trip.

Kenya is just awe-inspiring. We really can't face coming back. Loving life here.

Speak soon!
Matthew x