End of January ..

I have taught piano at Starehe for 2 weeks now and I'm starting to feel settled in the School environment.
The Form 1's, babies of the school, 14/15 year olds (Year 10's to us) arrived from Monday-Wednesday. We as the music department held auditions from Tuesday-Thursday to almost 100 boys and chose 20 of those to take music. Among them were some incredible singers that made us turn our heads. It's going to be an exciting year!! One comment which I found hilarious was from one of the boys after a question posed by the HoD... "Do you still wish to take music, Yes or No?" The Boy replies, "Yes or No"!! We were all wetting ourselves laughing!! I guess it was one of those had to be there moments but it was SO funny!! 

Last weekend I ventured around town with my viola, bought complete Homeland Season (wahoo!!), and joined Conservatoire Orchestra which was great for many reasons. First rehearsal and I'm leading the viola sectional as the apparent viola extrodinare. I know a few people who would find this hilarious .. Playing Beethoven's Egmont and leading the section was great. Conserve is good because the age range is like 18-30 so musicians your own age are always easy to get along with. Sunday I went to the Church in the School, which started off being led by the boys singing, clapping and dancing which was a nice start to a 9am Sunday service. Not sure I'll go regularly though as after this week I need the weekends to recover!! I went to Karen to meet Steph at the beautiful Karen Country Lodge for lunch and the afternoon. Karen is further along Ngong road and is such a picturesque area. Anyone coming to visit me I'm taking you there! Steph's Boyfriend Al plays in the band there every Sunday, great music accompanied by exquisite food and wine (treated by Steph). Perfect way to spend a Sunday :)

I'm annoyed at myself for not bringing certain pieces of music and books that I need here that I know will be sitting idle at home. I'm in constant emails with friends and friends of friends sending pdfs as finding music in Nairobi is like finding water in a desert unless you know someone!! 

This week I wrote my first letter to my ActionAid sponsored child and her community living about 100km south of Nairobi. She's 7 years old and one of 5 children in her family. I'm so excited to receive my first letter from her in the next few months and hoping I can visit her too! I also had confirmation today that the money all you lovely people donated to my No Shoes November campaign and my Mt. Kenya page, all for KOP (The Kenyan Orphan Project) is being donated to Kochogo Integrated Child Development (Feeding) Centre. I visited Kochogo, a rural area an hour outside Kisumu (the third largest city in Kenya), in August 2013 with KOP and I left my heart there. I can't wait to return there in August and see the wonderful children and staff. So around £2,500 will be given to Kochogo.

This coming week I am being visited by a fellow IVHQ volunteer Nash as we share the same birthday on Wednesday so I'm really looking forward to his arrival and finding out how 6 months, including Christmas, went for him in Uganda. I have also spent lots of time with Ellen, the volunteer at Starehe Girls and good friend from IVHQ Kenya 2012. We're slowly getting used to public transport, shopping and general awareness here in Nairobi. 

Here's to another great week!!

Hope you're all well, oh and that Wales win the rugby tomorrow! 

Peace.

Past the holiday period ..

So I've completed my first week of teaching teenage boys piano at one of the best high school's in Kenya. Let's just say this is certainly an experience of a life time ...


I've been in Nairobi for over 2 weeks now. The longest I've ever been on my own in a different country. I'm slowly adjusting to the fact that this is now home and I don't get to have the luxury of jumping in my lovely car (which is hopefully being looked after at home!) and drive to see friends and family or even to go to the beach, shops or cinema. I now have to deal with dirty public transport, a very overcrowded city and Skype to keep in contact with my many friends and family I miss SO much at home.


Midweek I found it quite difficult and was just feeling lonely but my neighbours are SO nice, friendly and generous! I've been given meals, books and lots of interesting conversations. I was lifted back up by speaking to friends and family, so I'm so glad that you're always there when I need you guys :)


I believe that I have gotten rid of my cockroach infestation!!! :D waaahhoooo! AND my geckos are definitely multiplying, but that also means I've discovered lots of poo on my walls haha. This weekend my house needs a good clean anyway. Before I leave it and move into my actual home for the year. I'll keep you guys updated about the move. I'm looking forward to actually settling in now.


I love Nairobi Symphony Orchestra. There are some great people performing lovely music. However, last week I was the only viola player. At least it kept me on my toes.


Today I entered 8 boys from form 3 and 4 (aged 16-18) into Grade 5 ABRSM exams for piano, trumpet, clarinet and sax. This is going to be such a challenge as the exam is in May and they haven't started the pieces yet!! But I am really looking forward to it. They work hard when they need to.


I have assembly now so I must dash, compulsory to attend, but there's more to share ...


Much love.

I feel like I have lived here forever!!

After  10 days in Nairobi I feel like I have lived here forever!!! I love it here, it is becoming my home. (Wales is still home home for those of you worried! .. )

SO much has happened but tomorrow I start teaching .. I created my timetable last week, teaching piano to 18 students from form 2 and 3 this week. That’s 15-17 year olds roughly, so we’ll see how that goes!

I’ve met dozens of lovely people. I’m one of 5 in the music department. There is 1 paid member of staff and 4 volunteers. I am the only white teacher in the school but I’ve now got used to that. There are two members of staff, Margaret and Anne who have been great neighbours and friends since my arrival. Both have children and live on the compound but every day I’m able to have laughs with them, sharing food and stories.

Wednesday I went along with my viola to the first Nairobi Symphony Orchestra and I LOVED it! There are so many wonderful Kenyan and international musicians there together playing fab music. Looking forward to next week!

I found Friday tough as it was Natalia’s last day in the KOP office but I really wanted to be in Bristol to celebrate her greatness and see the wonderful KOP team. It’s sad to know that the KOP team is one member down L. However, my Nan cheered me up when I skyped her, seeing her smiling face.

This weekend has been incredible, mainly because of the arrival of Ellen, the music volunteer from Starehe Girls School. I met Ellen in September 2012, when we volunteered teaching music at a primary school with IVHQ and we’re now reunited to work together for the next year! :D Unfortunately, the Girls’ school is far away which is a pain and will be expensive to visit each other, but we’ll figure it all out in time. I treated myself to new sandals (yes dad more shoes!!), new works clothes, the cinema and tasty food out. Ellen stayed at the spare room in my cottage as I’m so close to town and we caught up for hours!#

So far I have achieved .. to gain Geckos  as friends, kill cockroaches, go to Nairobi and back and not get lost!! (BIG deal!), spend too much money , try new foods, meet some INCREDIBLE people, learn a few new Swahili words, bask in the sunshine reading new books and not burn, practicing piano for a few hours a day and LOVING it!

There’s so much that I don’t want to bore you .. but I’m having an amazing time and it really is just the beginning ..

Love to all 

Arriving in Starehe

Jambo! Hello from Nairobi :)

After a mere 24 hours in Kenya I already feel at home.
I'm being looked after so well and treated like royalty, hard to get used to but I love it. Everyone is so kind, helpful and really easy to talk to. I'm having a great time!
I met so many staff today, I think I remember 4 names (3 of them have photos on the wall so they probably don't count!), this is going to take a while!
I was greeted to the school by some of the boys playing their instruments. I can already tell it's going to be great.
My challenge now is to not step on my pet gecko who seems to follow me throughout my lovely home!!

Hopefully I can keep blogging at least weekly but I'm well and LIVING IN KENYA!!

:D