The rains are upon us........

Coming from a city that is renowned for having four seasons in one day (Melbourne), I’m used to a climate of ever changing weather. Just like here in Mombasa!

Welcome to the rainy season….. hot, humid, wet, very wet or a mud bath…………

In Mombasa it doesn’t just rain… it pours. So much so, it is quite possible to grab your shampoo, lather up and have a decent wash outside!

Some of the children at Precious Vision School watching the rain pour down

Once the rain clears Mombasa is once again sunny, but now with additional puddles, water filled pot holes and sometimes even lakes of water.

Whilst walking in flip flops it’s inevitable you’ll end up with mud splattered all over the back of your legs. Apparently word on the street is that it’s the latest trend........though I’m yet to be convinced!

The puddled path on the way to Olives Rehabilitation Centre

At Precious Vision School due to the heavy rains the play area floods and the kids are unable to get their daily dose of tag, soccer and skipping. So instead lunch break is moved inside to a cramped, chaotic, leaking building filled with damp clothed teachers and children!

Some like any excuse to stay indoors and play!!

This however is a fantastic opportunity to get the children creative, to find fun and interesting ways to channel the craze of excitement.

Volunteer Leigh with some of the children she teaches at Precious Vision

Scrap pieces of rubber are tied together to make rope for indoor games. Bottles tops are used for games of checkers and chalk dust is great for a temporary new hair colour!

Though the rains are chaotic, wet and muddy, school life still goes on. It’s just as much fun, if not more adventurous than ever!!

Chaos descends at the end of a wet school day!

Leigh 2010

The rains are upon us........