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Can you believe it - my 3 months in Kenya are up?! It seems like only yesterday that I stepped off the plane to be greeted by the Kenyan rainy season!
It has been an emotional final week here in Kenya, full of mixed emotions. On Monday I organised a small party for a few of Unity College students who I have become very close to (I arranged for it on Monday because I knew I'd be too upset on Tuesday!). They were all so excited, and I had arranged a private room at the back of the restaurant and arranged some presents for them on the table - they were so surprised when they arrived, it was lovely watching their faces light up! The whole afternoon was lovely and everyone had a good time. For once, I didn't have to coax them to smile for photos and they overcame their shyness to have several, lovely, pictures taken. (they are really great, but there is a problem with this Internet connection, so I will upload them another time).
Tuesday (12th), was my last day, and I knew I would find it difficult. I held it together until Lilian started crying, which started me off! (I have become good friends with Lilian as well as her being my student. In fact, I quietly helped her out without anyone else's knowledge - she is on a bursary, and so I paid for the 2 modules not covered by the bursary. She was over the moon, and I am so pleased I did it!) So, Tuesday proved to be very emotional and draining; I have been giving extra lessons on how to use the Internet though, and created email accounts for all of them, so I know we we'll all keep in touch.
On Wednesday I visited Boston School in Matopeni, to deliver some presents and to say goodbye. I took them some Weetabix (thanks to Ahsan), which caused a lot of excitement because many of them had never tried it before - and I had to show them how to eat it! (some got in a real mess, as you'll see from my photos when I can upload them). I had also bought them a new football, and Stephen (the Headmaster) allowed us to play all afternoon, canceling all the classes. It was such good fun and a nice way to say goodbye; though after over 2 hours of playing football with kids I was quite tired! Before I left, the school gathered round to sing me some songs that they'd prepared for me, which was lovely. I then said goodbye to everyone, which was another sad moment for me.
So, now I am at my hotel, getting ready for my safari TOMORROW morning!! I begin my safari here from Nairobi, and we will be camping our way all the way down to Jo'burg, which we will reach on July 17th! If you take a look at the map on the first page, you will see just how extensive my safari is!
We depart from Nairobi and head for the Masai Mara, then cross to Tanzania for the Serengeti and to Arusha to see Mt. Kilimanjaro; down to Dar es Salaam, then over to Zanzibar. From here, we continue to Malawi, across to Zambia for the mighty Vic Falls, down through Botswana to visit Chobe National Park, finally coming down into South Africa to visit Kruger National Park, ending in Jo'burg. It's tiring just explaining the route; we're cramming in a lot and several countries in just 31 days!
Overall, I have thoroughly enjoyed my stay in Kenya. I have seen and heard a lot through visiting the poorer, slum areas, and through my counseling sessions at Unity College. It has opened my eyes and made me realise just how lucky I am, and I hope that I can still appreciate how lucky I am when I return to the UK.
Work wise things have been ACE and I have loved teaching! Though to be honest, the living situation wasn't so great; although I loved living with Nora and Peris, and they were like sisters to me. Things weren't left so well with Edith, and infact today when I left, things weren't so good; in fact, she has done something really mean which is possibly the most horrible and offensive thing anyone has ever done to me, but I am not going to waste my time or spoil my website mentioning her! I'll fill you in another time!
I had the meeting with my safari group about an hour ago, and everyone seems lovely, and I am now VERY excited! This time tomorrow I will be in the Masai Mara! Yipee!! I'm not sure when I'll next have Internet access, so I'll say goodbye to you all for now, and I'll be in touch again soon! I hope all is well with you all at your end.
Take care. Lots of Love. From, Rach xx
P.S. Dad - Happy Father's Day for tomorrow. I'm glad you got my card, though you were suppose to wait to open it! Sorry I can't call; I'll be thinking of you though. Love you lots! xxx
P.P.S. Mum and Neil - Sorry, I will miss both of your Birthdays! I'll be thinking of you though. Love you! xxx
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