Wow! Feeling elated and overwhelmed by the children and staff at King’sWay preparatory school in Londiani. A four and a half hour journey by car brought us to Londiani and to the school. We were greeted at the gates by staff and a chorus of beautiful school children dancing, clapping and singing the words “Welcome, welcome we love our visitors.” From the moment we entered it was impossible to withold from smiling the whole time, we dropped off two boxes of books and sweets for the children.

Then it was a tour around the school grounds, we visited each classroom to the sound of children singing. In year one Peter was in despair at the sight of a young school girl wearing an arsenal beanie, so to even the balance whilst taking photos Peter got them to replace “cheese” with a “Chelsea!”

What struck me was how much had been done with so little and how much the smallest contribution could benefit the school out here. This has been the best day in Kenya thus far. Beautiful countryside, Beautiful culture, Beautiful people.

The trip to Londiani was incredible to say the least. The very long journey to get there was definitely worth the wait- although I was asleep most of the time anyway… We got to stop off at the Great Rift Valley for the first time and the view was insane! Seeing for miles the beautiful landscape was amazing- albeit a little scary at the great height of the fall from where we were standing! As always we were swarmed by the locals trying to sell us all their goods for a ‘good price’ with their opening line of ‘which country?!’ but we managed to successfully avoid them with a little help from Peter! On the road again to finish our ‘3 hour journey’ according to Rufus- which took more like nearly 5 hours in the end! He blamed it on the bumpy roads and if he was driving he could’ve done it in 3 hours- Kenyan time playing it’s part here again I think!

When we arrived the scenery was beautiful. The arrival was overwhelming once we’d climbed the massive hill that our driver JJ had kindly driven Peter up and left us behind through miscommunication! Arriving at the school to be greeted by all pupils and staff singing and dancing for us was incredibly overwhelming. The children were all so excited to see us- bar one kid who cried at the sight of a white person!

Going to the school and seeing how much they appreciate us just being there was remarkable. The smiles on their faces will stay with me forever. The passion displayed by Daniel, the founder of the school, was unbelievable. The school try to facilitate the children who cannot travel to and from school with the boys and girls dorms. With only 18 beds in each and 40 children sleeping in each dorm it was clear there was work needs to be done to help facilitate the children better. The same can be said about the well that is used for kitchen use. It was a small well which can only be filled when they receive rainfall- which is only 8/9 months of the year. Obviously these are obstacles that the school face but creating partnerships between Universities and others can help to aid and build on these to better facilitate the children.

Not only has the trip to Londiani been a real eye opener, but it has made me consider working in the charity sector. Seeing what a difference can be made through small improvements and development projects is aspirational. Seeing first-hand how much little things mean to others is incredible. By far one of the best bits of the visit was Peter getting the children to shout Chelsea as the pictures were being taken and making the children laugh hysterically when the teachers had to do it! I did feel a little bad when we were saying goodbye to everyone and all the children bundled in to high five us and got into trouble for getting too excited and running at us!

All in all this was the best day so far! I’ve found out so far that any expectations I’ve had for each day are always being topped and I hope the trip continues this way!

The next 2 days were to see us spending a lot of time in a 4X4 9 seater as we headed to the Maasai Mara for an evening and morning game drive safari. From Nairobi to the Mara is another 4-5 hour drive, which for those not familiar with Kenyan roads and driving culture was an adventure in itself. I suspect that majority of drivers in Kenya would accumulate 12 points and an automatic driving ban within a day or two of driving in the UK. It is very difficult to judge what the other drivers around you are going to do next and all I can say is that I am glad that it was not me driving on these trips. Our drivers were very skilled and I guess as with most things you get used to things but I’m not sure I’d want to…..hairy to say the least.

The mid-stop break was made at Narok, which is the administrative centre of Narok County. Always a bustling environment the tour operator has a couple stops that they probably have a deal with. Last year we chose not to go to these after a bad experience in the first year where they appeared to want to charge us twice as much as anyone else for pretty poor food. This year was a different location so we decided to give it a try. Not a good decision – there wasn’t much on offer and they were clearly trying to get rid of the remaining scraps before replenishing the buffet. We decided that we were not prepared to be fed scraps and left. Luckily we know of a tried and tested travellers restaurant located in the town’s valley next to the garage, which does good burgers, chicken and chips……if you can run the gauntlet of hawkers wanting to sell you their wares.

The road from Narok to the Maasi Mara soon changes from a tarmac surface to rough road to well….rutted mud tracks I guess. The ride becomes fun for everyone as we were being bumped and shaken for 2 hours along the road. Anticipation takes away the discomfort but I was sitting at the back to get space for my foot and at 6’ 3” the gap between the top of my head and the roof of the carrier is small…..you can guess the rest…..foot is getting better but head hurts ;-).

Upon arrival at the mara we decided to visit the Maasi cultural village……and were given a tour by a group of Morans – tribal warriors – who danced for us; made fire from drilling a hard wood stick against a soft wood block; showed us where they keep their live-stock and protect them from leopards; explained about the 3 hour tribal meetings in the village square (circle) – where tasks for the next day are allocated by the Chief and young warriors exercise and practice dancing; invited us into their homes (giving a whole new definition to the term bijou) and finally……the obligatory opportunity to purchase arts and crafts at a ‘very special price’ 😉

That said it was a very interesting visit which explained a lot about Maasai culture and custum. The visit was followed by the evening game drive and we were so lucky to witness, not only the biggest pride of lions I’ve seen in the flesh but so many lion cubs with the pride. It was the most amazing experience. We all got some great shots, which we will share later…..unfortunately I bought a new camera just before the trip and hadn’t quite worked out the manual settings on it so relied on auto……which captured some great shots but sometimes decided to focus on ears of grass instead of the lions …….ooooops 😉 After, this magnificent drive we witnessed a magical sunset before heading back into camp for dinner and a well-deserved sleep.

An absolute beauty!

After an early breakfast, and the collective decision not to enjoy the benefits a cold shower, we headed off for the morning game drive. Ifraim, our driver and guide, was extremely knowledgeable and clearly possessed a passion for and love of everything Mara, was a great guide. He had such keen eyesight and took us to so many excellent sightings……hyenas, jackals, caracals, wart hogs, ostriches, elephants, giraffes, buffalo, wildebeest and just about all manor of antelope and gazelles imaginable, to say nothing of the diversity of birds……absolutely amazing…….and just as I had become resolved for the 3^rd year in a row not to see either a cheetah or a leopard……and only 10 minutes away from the park gates…..deep joy! A cheetah just sauntered onto the rough track in front of us……paused for several minutes as if to give us photo ops before pouncing over a small gulley….I had the shot in my view-finder and was just about to snap when Callum decided to stand up and jog me so I got a blurred shot of the sky…..luckily Laura got the shot on a smaller camera.

Seeing that cheetah made me so happy and the students were so excited……it was a perfect end to the best game drive of the 3 I’ve experienced……simply wonderful!

Today was a slightly more lax workshop day, having edited the short documentaries from yesturday’s workshop in the morning we all watched the two films on the the projector together. I was bowled over by both final products of each group. With basic equipment and under extreme time both groups had produced two pieces of work that had strong narratives, a good sense for structure and a sense for composition in shots that had clearly been well thought out. Ofcourse there were minor technical glitches and mistakes in the pieces however after a critical reflection session it was apparant that the students saw and understood how these imperfections could be resolved, the main factor being time in both cases.

After a teabreak we spoke about social networking and delivering materials online via various websites such as google docs, wordpress and Facebook. I think the most vital tool online will be the google docs share space. From here students can work together over a distance once they return to their individual homes. I hope that the importance of a network between all the websites through sharing is understood and sustained.

After these tutorial sessions we wrapped up for the day, Willice gave an excellent final speech which I was gutted to miss the beginning of, however I felt the most important sentiment was heard. Willice quoted bernard shaw along the lines of expressing that the youth not the older generation will be the pioneers of change.

Reflecting on the past three days I am confident that this sentiment will not be lost on the students we worked alongside. I look forward to being party to and seeing the ideas expressed in the workshops fulfilled and the project evolve outside of the hill park hotel. After lunch we had a final photo and exchanged details with all the students. I am proud of what we have achieved.

Today was another busy workshop day. Myself Laura and Rosie were left to conduct the workshops. We began with a short presentation briefly outlining the order of the day. We explained that today we would be combining the practises we learnt on the first day to produce a focussed piece of work, a documentary that persued the issues prevelant to to them as discussed in the morning sessions the day before.

To try and hone ideas in the morning we split the students into two groups assigning each individual a role within the group. The five roles were director, producer, camera operator, researcher/interviewer and editor. After assigning roles within the group we got them to mindmap their ideas for their documentaries.

Out of the mindmap the two focussed subjects emerged, ‘youth unemployment’ and ‘deploying CMC’s’. After a short break we got straight into production. It was impressive to see the level of proffessionalism from the students.

After tea came post-production editing. Eager engagement only escalated further as the day went on. I’m pleased with what we have all achieved today, I feel I learnt more from the students then I could teach them which made me eager to increase my efforts throughout the day.

After the intensity of the community media capacity building 3 day workshop in Nairobi, the next leg of our journey required a trip to the Kingsway Preparatory School in Londiani, Kerichio County – to deliver books collected as part of the student preparations for the trip. We were carrying books donated by the University of Brighton’s Library and Portsmouth Public Library service – the combined weight of which meant, that our luggage came in just under the baggage allowance of 30Kg/person. The books were requested as a contribution to introducing English to the young pupils.

Our tour operator optimistically estimated that it would only take 3 hours to travel to Londiani from Nairobi. As it turned out, Londiani is only about 40 kilometers from Kibugat. Had I know this I would have realised that 3 hours was a gross underestimate. In the end it took us just over 4.5 hours getting there and just over 5 hours returning due to poor traffic conditions on the Great Rift Valley Escarpment. All of which and the impending rain (which came down in monsoon proportions) meant that our visit was restricted to 2 hours……but what a 2 hours?

We were welcomed on arrival by some 200 students singing a traditional honoured visitors welcome. After introductions were made, visitors’ book signed and books presented we were given a tour of the school, which included visiting classes 6 & 7 combined and 8 (those about to graduate to High School). Lessons were all laid out on the blackboard and I was amazed, as I started to ask pupils questions about the lessons, by their reading standards and knowledge – to say nothing of their eyesight (the writing was awfully small). We also visited the youngest pupils. Adoption of a similar approach of asking questions received a mixed reception. On the left of the class were young pupils eager to share with me the answer to the question, “who likes school?” On the right of the class – one nipper took one look at me and burst out crying inconsolably. Despite my protestations that I was the recipient of a University of Brighton Excellence in Teaching & Learning award, she was not to be quieted ;-).

Impressed by the standard of literacy

A tasty lunch of wholegrain rice, green peas and cinnamon chapattis was followed by being shown a milk production project they run to generate income. Currently, the only have 2 cows but hope eventually to have 5. We were then taken to the well and it is here that we can probably help most. At present the well only produces enough water for approximately 7 or 8 months in the year. In order to ensure the school has water all the year round and that pupils don’t have to walk miles for water (missing out on school time). Soon, I will be announcing a campaign aimed at raising funds for this worthy project.

By now the 2 hours were very nearly up. The clouds were looking ominous and if we were to get away…..it had to be soon. Before departing however, we were asked to take pictures of the entire school. As I took the first picture, instead of getting them to say cheese, I counted down with fingers in the air 3…..2…..1…..CHELSEA!!!!!!! The kids loved this and started giggling and the laughter grew infectiously as each year took turns until the entire school and village onlookers were in fits of near hysteria when I got the teachers to do exactly the same as the kids. It was a silly moment but on such moments of fun relationships can be formed.

We were all sad that we had to leave before the rains moved in and the rough roads turned to thick mud but it had been a wonderful day and we will definitely return to Kingsway sat on top of a hill overlooking the most beautiful vista…..a valley of all shades of green imaginable and wonderful hills rising majestically as a dramatic backcloth.

Driving out of Nairobi today and seeing the Kenyan landscape was incredible. I had never realised, or expected, how mountainous and green the Kenyan countryside is. We stopped off at The Great Rift Valley – as it was on the way to Londiani – and took in the magnificent view. I even learnt some history! Continuing on the journey the wildlife that we saw on the side of the road was incredible – zebras, baboons, donkeys, and monkeys. I am use to seeing sheep, cows, and maybe the occasional rabbit, but nothing like this. Usually I would argue that maybe if the Kenyans came to England and saw the English wildlife that I take for granted, then maybe they would be amazed, but there are still sheep, cows, and rabbits here too!

Out journey to Londiani took longer than what we were advised – I am learning quickly that Kenyan time is slower than English time – but the time travelled was worth the wait. The road up to the school had huge pot holes and cracks, making it impossible to get the car up the hill, however with a push from the locals and myself, Callum, and Rosie walking up the hill, the car made it. As we were walking up to the school, there were some children who were laughing and following along with us. As we reached the school the teachers were waiting in a line to greet us, and all the 200+ school children were also there, singing and dancing to welcome us. I was so overwhelmed that I managed to step in cow poo! We followed the children to the school office where we sat down and the head master Daniel. Daniel and the other teachers welcomed us and showed us around the school classrooms and dormitories. The school provided dormitories for students to live far away, as it is unsafe for them to walk to and from school every day.

The procedures that have to be put in place for these young children to stay safe and have an education is outstanding. Being away from their parents and sharing a bed with numerous children must be difficult. I saw a girl with a scar along the side of her face – I don’t know the circumstances that resulted in the scar across her face – but it made me realise the extreme and unsafe environment that these people live in.

Daniel also showed us projects that he has in place, such as buying cows to supple the children with milk, and a well that he wants to make more of. Listening to the projects that Daniel has in place and the history of how he started the school was touching, and made me think that the world needs more people like Daniel. A man who does good for other people and who wishes to maintain and grow peoples quality of life. All over all our trip to Londiani was overwhelming and heart touching. Hopefully in the future the University of Brighton can assist Daniel in his plans to making a future for children.

Yesterday was our final day at the three day workshop. We started off the morning by watching the videos that the students had filmed and edited the previous day, followed by a reflection process about their finished videos. I took one group to the side and asked them what they thought the pros and cons were of their videos, in which they wanted to do the cons first to get the bad out of the way. I didn’t want them to feel negative about what they had done, therefore after every con I asked them what they could do next time to present the problem, and I also shared my experiences of problems that I had faced when producing videos, as a tool to encourage them to keep practicing.

The cons that they highlighted were as followed;

• The lighting in some interviews was too dark. This could be prevented by using artificial lighting, or using natural light at a certain time of day so that it is at an angle.
• The background noise was too loud to the extent that you couldn’t hear what the interviewees were saying. To prevent this problem a clip on mic could have been used or recorded through audio, and differenting editing software could have been used to edit out the background noise.
• Some people / potential interviewees did not want to participate, therefore interviewees could be planned and contacted in advance.
• The credits were too fast and needed to be slown down to give the audience time to read them.

Another con that the group did not pick up on but myself and Peter did, was that the content within the video did not have a structure in the sense that the interviews didn’t connect together and the aim of the documentary was not met. We shared this con with the group so that next time they can be aware of it.

Pros that they highlighted were as followed:

• A variety of creative camera shots and angles were used.
• The group also liked the background music, however I highlighted to them that they can’t use copy right music, they must have permission from th artist, use their own music, or use music from internet sites that have music that is not copyright.
• The third pro was the use of swahlil and Engligh within the documentary.

I was really impressed by the groups reflection process. Initially I was worried that they wouldn’t be critical about the cons, however they were, and I hope that what they learned will benefit them in any future project, as well as seeing the benefits of the reflection process in general.

We then showed the students how to access google docs and how to create accounts on wordpress, as both sites can be used as tools to communicate and share knowledge on a global scale. I felt like this process rounded off the three day workshop and showed how you can communicate through online engagment. I am very interested to see how they progress with the skills that we have taught them!!