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I always knew I wanted to go to Africa on my Gap Year and after researching Pembroke House School, Kenya, I immediately emailed them about job and volunteering possibilities. Within a week of email exchange, I managed to get a Gap placement for the Michaelmas Term; volunteering in this independent prep school in a remote town in Kenya as a Teaching Assistant. Two years passed and at the end of a busy A-Level summer I was suddenly was one week away from heading out to a country I had never been to with people I had never met. Having been so busy with A-Levels, and celebrating their end, I hadn't fully processed what I was about to do; I was very nervous. I did not realise it would be, without a shadow of a doubt, the best, most enriching and enjoyable experience of my life. Thanks to the Calne Foundation Trust, who helped finance the airfare, I was able to have this amazing experience.
Gilgil is situated three hours north of Nairobi, following a very hectic and scary ‘motorway’. It immediately stood out as remarkable to me due to its close-knit community, colourful markets and noisy atmosphere. The school captures the town’s ethos perfectly. With under 200 pupils, from all around Africa and the world, Pembroke House is a traditional and nurturing school which became my home for the next three and a half months, living in and teaching a Year 4 class and a Rounders team.
I instantly fell in love with teaching. I think it is mostly the idea that I could enthuse children with a love of learning and knowing that I would impart some of my knowledge in a, hopefully, inspirational way, helping shape their school experience and lifelong relationship with learning. I was teaching everything across the syllabus; from Maths to one on one Phonics lessons. I also worked in the evenings in the Boarding House, making the children feel at home and organising fun activities, made easier by the lovely weather. I travelled all around Kenya with the school on matches and for school trips. Some were more local trips to help in the orphanage in the neighbouring village, Langalanga and to the nearby River Malewa (where the children swam with cows!). We also visited larger cities like Naivasha and Nakuru - both home to some of Kenya’s biggest and most beautiful lakes. I was also lucky enough to have days and weekends off where I and the six other volunteers could explore more of Kenya for ourselves. We travelled all the way to Watamu on the coast as well as taking shorter day trips, such as climbing Mount Longonot.
All in all, it was the most incredible experience and I intend to visit the school next summer. I made excellent friends there which I know will last for life. Importantly, my time in Kenya showed me how much I love teaching. As a result, I spent the next four months of my Gap Year working for a tutoring company in London.
I enjoyed thoroughly; an experience I can attribute to Kenya, and consequently, for which I can thank the Calne Foundation Trust.
Tatiana Parr
