Old Cambrian Society

 Dear Steve,
    In January 2010 I was fortunate to be able to return to the country of  my birth - Kenya with my two sons - Nicholas & Richard. Both my children were born & raised in the very privileged country of  New Zealand and it was 45 years since I left my 'home' in 1964. 
    Part of  the journey was for sentimental reasons to retrace the memories of my  youth - where I lived, went to school, and played. We were made so very welcome..... and were shown with pride their  achievements as we were introduced to such dedicated and committed  teachers of children who really wanted to learn.
    These children, even at  their young age, understand that the way forward for their country is  through Education. It has been a humbling experience to be among people who have so little  yet they still love their country and give so much of themselves to try  to make it a better place for the average person to live. Giving so little by western standards could make so much of a difference  to the people of Kenya. The corruption of the elite & the poverty of the  masses is indescribable. The way forward is through education to build  the middle class and so make corruption socially unacceptable, not  inevitable. The traditional way of the west of funding aid projects just does not  work. 90% of the funds donated just disappear in ' administration  costs'. We need to deal direct- if a school has no water then we need to  buy & install a pump - not send money and hope somebody might do it. I realised from this trip that although from a pragmatic point of view,  I am very fortunate to live in New Zealand, my heart will always be in  the Country of my birth - Kenya.
    As I head for retirement and more time to 'give back', I have been  considering the Kenya situation and it is overwhelming. While as  individuals we can have little effect on the big picture (that is the  job of Governments and large Aid Agencies) we can make somebody's life  so much better on an individual basis.
     If nothing else we can give them  that most precious commodity - hope. 
My 'project' is outlined at this link Children of Kenya Education Trust.
    Are there any Old  Cambrians or Kenya born people out there who would like to join me and  help make this dream a reality?

 Regards Robin Humphreys
 Clive House 1959 - 1964 
Nairobi School (Prince of Wales)