I spent 20 years teaching at a Loreto school in Melbourne, Australia, before moving to Mombasa. My wife was volunteering with Kenya Red Cross and I was armed with a letter from my principal to see if I could be a volunteer at a Loreto school in town. In some ways this was a reunion for me as I had had a previous encounter with a big red and white bus bearing a very familiar crest on its back.

By coincidence while touring in Kenya in 2010 I had met with Mr. Beauttah and the class 6 group. Announcing that I was from a Loreto school in Australia made me an instant friend of the Mombasa community of teachers and students.

So in July 2013, I approached the office of Sister Gertrude with some trepidation because I was really keen to be part of the staff but I did not have primary school training. I was welcomed with open arms and without hesitation Sister took me around the school and introduced me to all the classes and from there the next thing for discussion was a start date. I was slotted into the senior classes teaching English as this was an area of the curriculum in which I could be most useful.
   
It was not long before I was correcting compositions, marking examination papers and taking classes. 
In the new year (2014), I was very fortunate to be able to take over some classes from a teacher on Maternity leave and my teaching load doubled, which was great fun.

I really enjoyed my time with the senior classes and have fond memories of the laughter as well as the quality work they shared with me. It was the same for the staff who would have the patience to talk to me in simple Kiswahili or else translate for me. I was so impressed with their hard work and the dedication they show in providing the students with quality education.

To be part of the extra-curricular life of the school was also very fulfilling, such as Sports Day as well as taking part in the Cultural Festival, and seeing the different tribal groups perform with such zeal and the proud nature of their singing and dancing.
   
Unfortunately our plans to stay till the end of the year were thwarted by circumstances beyond our control and we had to leave Mombasa, a city that we had grown to love so much, and spend the last 4 months of my wife's contract in Kisumu.
So we are now seeing a different part of the country and enjoying a change in climate and consuming much more fish!
   
Wherever I find myself in the future, there will always be a special part in my heart for the students, staff and parent community that made me, as well as my wife Lenora, feel so welcome and embraced us as part of the Loreto family.
   
May you all be blessed with good fortune, health, happiness and peace.