Annali and Nick’s trip to Watamu (or why Jayne’s gone green – again)
annali at ocean sports,turtlebay
Our dear friend Annali, the one who is responsible for us returning to Kenya in the first place, went back to Watamu with her fiancé, Nick in February this year.
Nick,I hope you know what your letting yourself in for mate
They had been with us in Belgium the weekend before where we’d had a bit of a Kenya do and sold Kikoys (remember the mystery of Agy buying a lorry load of them on 13 August last year?) to raise some money for Silverstone School.Thanks to the amazing generosity of our mates, we raised over 500 euros of which Annali took 300 and we will take the rest when we go in July, fingers crossed).
kenyan kikoy
kenyan kikoy
SILVERSTONE LATEST
So Annali and Nick went to visit the school and were actually there for the official opening of the School on 16 February – that’s partly why Jayne’s gone green again and wait until you hear about the rest of their trip, she’s positively emerald.Annali and Nick made a wonderful video of their time which you can access on our home page.
put you hands together
Cast your mind back to 2nd June last year when we paid our first ever trip to Silverstone. You may remember that this school had only just opened (8 May) with a grand total of nine pupils and one classroom. During the few months we were there, many guests came along to visit this remarkable little school and witness the superhuman efforts that Janet, Allan and the teachers were making to turn around the lives of many poor and abused children in the area.I have to tell you that each and every visitor to this school was visibly moved by what they saw and felt compelled to do something to help,for a copy of the original newsletter clic following link, http://silverstoneacademy.awardspace.com/progress.htm
Anyway, Janet has since sent us the following update: To our Friends, On 16 February 2007 Silverstone Junior School had it’s grand opening.Many of our European friends were present. The school now has a total of five complete classrooms and enough desks to cater for 200 students.
Thanks to donations of lots of story books, coloured pens, toys and text books for the children to read and enjoy, the school is well on its way. Most children now have school t-shirts, enabling them to identify even more with the school of which they are so proud.Other wonderful donations include that of a computer plus printer, an essential piece of equipment for education today.Thanks again to your marvelous generosity, the school will shortly have its own photocopier. More of our children, including little Trevor, Anna Chengo, Nina, Sauda and Saida (twin girls) and Grace Masha are kindly being sponsored.
little trevor
anna chengo
Thanks to the many friends, including the following fantastic people – all of the above has been possible: Annali & Nick (of course!), Angie (who officially opened Silverstone Junior School) and David Cundale, accompanied by friends from the UK. Tara Eacott and Andrew Wright and his parents, Martin, Juliet, daughter Hannah & Jack Parish, David, Alison,& Sam Kelly, from Belgium and Sue & David Hayward. Natalie and her Aunt, Sue Hilton. Daniele from Palermo, Italy, together with his parents Mama Margherita and Papa Antonio plus their friends Rosa, Anna, Pippo and Enzo. Lisa and Mama Vi from Sussex.
We all say “God bless you all” and “Asante Sana”.
Mida Creek
Annali and Nick were keen to see the progress on the boardwalk at Mida Creek, which Agy and the lads were busy maintaining last year.We were all pleased as punch to see the fruits of their labour.Thanks to those boys at Mida, the boardwalk is now complete and it’s looking spectacular.Kadenge and Co – sterling job.
Here are a few before and afters :
old suspended walkway from bird hide
new fixed boardwalk to bird hide
start of the old boardwalk,mida creek
work on the new fixed boardwalk
finished fixed boardwalk,mida creek
work on the suspended part of the boardwalk
tha ladies at the old boardwalk start point
gavin giving a hand at the boardwalk
end of new fixed section to birdhide
nick on the renovated boardwalk
Nuru, my loverly Nuru
Now, the last time we saw Nuru was on 6 September last year and she was due to give birth at any moment.She finally had her little boy a couple of weeks later.I was so disappointed not to have been there when he was born but she sent me a photo of him and an update of her progress. Of course, he’s gorgeous and you’ll never guess what he’s called.Honestly you won’t.Ok, here’s a clue – when he grows up he should be singing and swaying those hips – not got it (or maybe you’re too young)?
E L V I S !!! What do you think– isn’t he cute?I can’t wait to get my hands on him give that chuchy little chin a squeeze (sorry guys but it’s a girl thing)?
I’m about to turn incredible hulkish now (green that) and show you the pics of Annali with Elvis and the family.
annali with elvis and nuru
annali with elvis
ian and nuru's family
Nuru’s doing very well and still looking at study possibilities in Mombasa.We hope to discuss these with her in the summer, will keep you posted. So Annali and Nick, thank you very much for taking so much time to visit our dear friends and for taking the lovely photos and videos– just hope you managed to get a few moments to relax together and enjoy that special place.
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By the way, thought you might like an update on Japhet who we last saw just before we left.Well, he did very well in his exams, so well in fact that he graduated from Sonneti Academy and is now attending a top national school.We are in regular text contact and he sends us messages such as “sponsorship has made my life better.”Another text goes like this: “Mr aggie and mama jayne it’s very fantastic to hear from you.Anyway, I really love my school …. Your lovely son Japhet”.
