All good things must come to an end

How tempus fugits! After 10 months here in Kenya and here at St. Anna, my last full day has come and gone, and tomorrow I go home. A year ago when I came to visit for the first time, I never imagined that I would be here a year later. I may not have ended up where I intended to go, but I think I ended up where I needed to be.

As I am still recovering from saying goodbye to all the children on Tuesday, I’m not even going to try to summarise my thoughts and feelings in words. You’ll have to make do with some numbers:
. 10 months
. 80 blog posts
. 31 books (read)
. 15 children (sponsored - thanks to those who agreed to do this)
. 29 rabbits
. 5 houses
. 7 computers
. 1 mountain (never again)
. 6970 Pounds (raised)
. 1 library
. 6 tables
. 36 chairs
. 8 book shelves
. 2 sign posts
. 10 hanging baskets
. 5 kilos (lost)
. 2 pairs of glasses (broken)
… and a partridge in a pear tree!

All that remains is to thank those who helped or contributed in any way. On behalf of all the children and the teachers here at the school, thank you. You may never quite know the difference you have made in the lives of 250+ people.

And from me: To all of you who remained in touch during my self imposed exile; to those who wrote to me or called me and stopped the solitude turning to loneliness … thank you! To those who sent me stuff: books, shoes, socks, clothes, bags, Hob Nobs … thank you! To those who bought me a return ticket home … thank you! To those who agreed to accompany me up a mountain…thank you (and sorry). And to those who made it all the way down here in person… thank you! Without you I couldn't possibly have hoped to succeed, with you I couldn’t fail.

Finally, before I sign off for the last time, a thought. Of all the lessons I have learned during my time here the most compelling must surely be that it is only through education that we can hope to help lift children, their communities and their countries out of poverty.

We so often go on about our rights, but what about our duties? Someone should establish a bill of duties. We all have a responsibility to help bring education to the children of under-developed countries not only because it is the right thing to do, but also as it is the only vector of guaranteeing lasting peace and security for ourselves. Whether it be in Africa, the Arabian Peninsula or Asia, only when we can offer children a brighter future will they have a reason choose life over death. It only costs about £20 a month to put a child through primary school here in Kenya. Now
I don’t know where you all live, but in Paris that’s about the price of 2 beers…it’s half a family’s monthly income here.

In 1957 Dr. King said that “life’s most persistent and urgent question is: what are you doing for others?” His words are arguably be even more applicable today. He went on to say that: “Every person must decide, at some point, whether they will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.”

In our constantly connected online 24/7 information world , none of us can claim ignorance to the plight of those less fortunate than ourselves. If you aren’t helping in some way it is because you have chosen not to. Half the world still lives on less than $2/day, and many of them on less than $1. The majority don't want hand outs; they are proud and want to live with dignity. Their basic needs and desires are no different than our basic needs and desires: decent shelter, clean drinking water, to live in peace and a provide a better chance for their children than the hand life dealt them. Most of the things we take for granted. You could so easily make a difference...all it takes is you, a decision and now.

Ok, end of lecture. I look forward to seeing you all again soon.

Ex animo,

Matthew
xx