Jambo! I can’t believe I have in Mombasa for a week already – and oh my god what a week it has been! There have of course been some highs and lows. I’ve had a little homesickness now and then which is to be expected really and it’s been quite tough adapting to temperatures of up to 45 degrees while trying to teach 40 kids in hot sweaty classrooms.

I also got pickpocketed – although the pickpocketer obviously hadn’t done his homework on potential victims because I clocked him straight away, grabbed him by the arm, had a little tussle and got the phone back!

I’ve had to get used to being called a MUZONGU (white person!) every two seconds again- even children shout it at you on the street! It’s not meant in a threatening or nasty way but it does get very tiring.

I have, again as expected, seen some pretty dire sights too. The worst being a man who had had his leg amputated left lying unconscious on the pavement with blood oozing from the bandages, a catheter bag full of urine at the side of him and a begging sign in front on him. I reallt didn’t know what to do. I’m too new here to start rushing in and trying to play the hero but it’s very very difficult to do nothing. It’s also sickens me that there are human beings with a mentality capable of using another person in that way.

It hasn’t all been bad here though. Far far from it. I have had a fantastic week with my kids. There are really getting to know me and I have some great lessons planned for then in the coming weeks! teaching them bodyparts was great fun on Friday – apparently the difference between hands and fingers can be tricky though!

I’ve started teaching the older kids at Twaayf some dance routines in preparation for a concert they are holding over Christmas which has also been a LOT of fun - I think I definitely having some budding Beyonces and Timberlakes in my group!

Home life is great too – the girls I’m living with are just fantastic and we are bonding very quickly (amazing what a game of ‘I have never’ can do for a group of friends!’.

This weekend was particularly fun, we spent some much needed relaxing time on the beach and headed to a club on Saturday night. The best place to drink here is Bella Vista which is very central to Mombasa but it is really only a pub so after around 11 we headed to Tembo nightclub.

Tembo is a little touristy but that’s not really a bad thing as it means you get left alone and get much less hassle than in some of the other places. Great music too and it’s outside so although it’s still hot it’s much better than a lot of others.

The week ahead is looking to be pretty busy too so I think next weekend is definitely going to take a similar pattern!

Kwe Heri for now. Saz x

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