Jambo rafikis

Here is today's top news:

1.Staff and students of St Andrew's shed tears in final assembly

2. Kenya 15 enjoy final day surprise of a T-shirt with Victory School logo

3. Well nears completion and plaque is photographed for St Andrew's

4. Elvis and Juma dance in final assembly

5. Mama Noura brings house down....not literally!

So good evening from Kenya everybody for the last time. I hope you are fine, we are all fine.

Today was our final day here at Victory and boy did our students make the most of it. After tablets wemakes round to the Nakumatt to spend our last remaining monies on the staff and students of Victory. After 30 minutes of rushing round the big shop we emerged with enough exercise books for every student, lots of pens and pencils, huge amounts of sweets and some good luck and thank you cards. The matatu's we waiting for us so wejumped straight into them and arrived 15 minutes later at school.

The morning was nice and relaxed as none of us were doing any teaching, just getting readydoor the final assembly. We arrived at around 10:00 and the boys immediately got themselves ready to practice their section of the final assembly. We got the water supplied and then Miss Riggs and Myself discussed the trip with Mary, the Headteacher. It was a sort of review meeting, Mr Norbert also joined us after about 10 minutes. Theyexplained how much they loved us coming here and what a difference it makes to their young people and that they pray we can always organise trips to see them. Their students get extremely excited for weeks before our visit and apparently take days to stop asking about our children when we leave. It was a really reassuring conversation.

At midday we all had lunch and then at 1:30 took some nice photographs of all the staff and students of St Andrew's and all the staff of Victory as well as some pictures of their new well which has been paid for by monies raised by the staff and students of St Andrew's. Then at 2pm the real part of the day began...the final assembly.

Each class performed a song or poem or little play and our kids loved it. Our kids alsoperformed for the Victory students and their students loved it too. Highlights we're kindergarten, Theo Yambo and of course Juma and Elvis dancing.  It was over all to soon and all throughout their were many tears shed that our trip was coming to an end.

At the end of the assembly there was time to clear up and then dive into matatus ready for the drive back to the hotel and more tears. Saying goodbye is always hard and for our students it is particularly so on this visit. They build such close bonds with the staff and students of Victory that it can seem like they are being wrenched apart at the end. To helpthem get over this we t.oom them for burgers and chips at a local restaurant which they thoroughly enjoyed, but all evening the conversation was animated about Victory. 

They are all packing now or in bed and as you know the Internet is down here apart from the lucky few with wireless. 

I wanted to say that I could not be prouder of our Kenya 15, they hAve touched lives and swelled hearts of many here in Mombasa and none of them will be easily forgotten by the staff and students of Victory. I could not have asked for a better bunch of students to take thousands of miles and make a difference. And to the staff all I can sway is that you have made my job so much easier and less stressful. Special mention to my co trip leader miss Riggs who has definitely made my life easier out here in Kenya.

The number of Mama Noura shouts was 8 today and so no winners for last nights competition. You will all have to make do with the prizes you have won and getting your babies back!

So for the last time I wish you all the very best, take care of yourselves and we will hopefully see you at about 8pm or so tomorrow night.

Kwaheri rafikis

Ps did I mention how grateful I am?