The second week was great! Can't believe I'm already here for such a long time (actually half of the time I'm here is already over)! On Sunday we went on a 3 day Safari to the National Park Masai Mara in the very West of Kenya. We were a group of 6, three volunteers from our house and three from England who were living with the Masai. They were really happy to be out, to be able to shower and to have something exciting to do. First we had a 6 hour trip in our Safari car. Our guide, Paul, was specialized in guiding volunteers so we had a special price. I can already tell that the experience was worth every cent! So after we arrived we first had a look at our tents. Those were huge permanent 3 person tents, with a hot shower and a toilet attached. The beds were covered by mosquito nets, which we really appreciated - not because there were so many mosquitoes, but because they protected us from all the bugs, spins, other huge flying insects and the two lizards in our room...
After making friends with the lizards we started our sunset tour. The first evening was just amazing! We started off with a real rarity - two cheetahs chilling in the sun. All Safari drivers communicate by radio where which animal is to be spotted at the moment. So when we arrived at the cheetahs, many other Safari buses were already fighting for the best spot. So we waited until they would move. But they obviously ate already, because they did not show the slightest interest in a wildbeest crossing the road. So we went on. This first evening we also spotted zebras, warthogs (= Pumba's from the Lion King ;) those are my absolute favorites and we also saw a baby pumba aaaawwwww), giraffes, lions (we saw the whole family: Mufasa, Simba and Nala), antelopes, monkeys, baboons (= Rafikis), deers, buffaloes, jackals, hyenas, gazelles, and ostriches. We really felt like we were riding through the Lion King! Totally amazing! The first night we had an excellent fish meal (we had our own personal cook). Totally tired we fell into our beds and slept until 7 the next morning (Monday). We started our tour at 8, and immediately found an Elephant herd! They were so adorable. Moving on we also saw some hippo's in a lake. Even though cheetahs are very rare we saw a cute cheetah family with 5 babies! We also saw zebras, lions and giraffes again, and so the time flew away. The next day we saw the sunrise, and another elephant herd, before we started our way back again. What an experience!

So on Wednesday I went to school again. As an update about the choir: unfortunately it won't go through. The students have a very full schedule, with fixed after-school programs every day. They also do not have music as a lesson, so I can't do a choir in class. Really sad but in the breaks we sing every now and then, which is also nice!

At the moment there are national examinations for all 4th graders (all graduating students). The examination period takes 4 weeks - exactly the period that I am here. Just for those 4 weeks the English teacher won't be there because he checks the national exams. So I take over all his classes. What a timing! Therefore the teachers, the principal, the founder of the school and also the children are so thankful that I am there - because otherwise the students would not have any English lessons.

The school is actually in need for some supplies. There will be a practical national physics exam for the graduating students on 7th November. For this exam some materials are needed. Also the teachers are still waiting for their salary of September.
Do you want to help us out with a small donation? Please visit the following Homepage for more information:

www.betterplace.org/p22898

You can donate with credit card and PayPal. You do not have any of these? Please write me an e-mail, so I can give you my bank account information for a normal money transfer.

You can be absolutely sure that your money will be used for the described matters. Any amount is welcome, and the teachers and students will be very thankful. We can reach a lot together. If everybody just donates whatever amount he or she can miss, we can support the existence of the school. Please do also check the school's homepage for their mission and vision, as well as detailed information about all expenses and incomes of the Top Mark High School:

http://topmark.kbo.co.ke/home

So thank you, in advance, for your support!