Some things I thought and did when I was 18 are best forgotten, but there are others that have kept me in good stead in the intervening years.
I had the fantastic experience of living and working as a teacher for a year in rural South West Kenya, thanks to the inspired organisation Project Trust. We hoped to be useful to the communities who hosted us but it was made very clear that the main benefit would be to ourselves. We weren’t sent out to change the world but to learn and get a different perspective on our lives back in the UK.
Kenyan schools in the 1980s had a shortage of properly qualified teachers and so two British volunteers who had completed their A levels and had a week’s training and orientation were considered to be ready enough to teach O level classes in the Harambee self help schools in the more remote and rural parts of the country.
Thus it was that Richard and I were dropped off just before the sun set at Obera Secondary School, normally a 5 mile walk and 10 mile matatu ride from the town of Homa Bay on the shores of Lake Victoria. ‘Now they are mine’ declared Headteacher Charles Ongiyo and as it quickly grew dark we began our adaptation to life with no electricity, lit by oil lamps and cooking on charcoal and with water from a nearby spring that needed boiling to be safe to drink.
We were paid at the going rate of about £40 a month, bought most of our food at the local market and only occasionally had time to walk to the main road and catch a lift to Homa Bay or further afield. However during the school holidays we could explore the whole wonderful country (on our very limited budgets!)
So beyond the practicalities of learning to cook on charcoal, washing out of a bucket and the Luo language, what did I learn?
Most importantly, not to be afraid of people: wherever I have traveled then or since the vast majority and are kind and welcoming as long as you behave respectfully to local customs. People are great and you can learn from anyone.
Beyond that, within the school we found that some worked hard and others were lazy, some were really intelligent and others not so much, some were beautiful and others more plain, some were funny, others rather dull… just like in the UK in fact.
There are cultural differences around the world and they can be really interesting. I liked the way the people near the school were so friendly and welcoming, very happy to strike up conversations with strangers they met along the path and incredibly generous with offering hospitality. Most people worked on the land, communities were close knit and I know that can be stifling too.
Treat people as individuals: don’t presume anything about them from their external situation. Skin pigment is a very superficial thing and not interesting in itself. I know some people see it as being very important, either from a bad motivation or a good motivation, but either way I’m not sure it’s that helpful in helping people get along.
Be ready to listen and learn. Stay curious.
Things I’d tell my 18 year old self
You’re ok: there’s no point worrying about things. Life is good.
It’s ok to be yourself – in fact it’s the only way to be. There’s no point trying to be someone you’re not.
Keep an open mind and never stop learning.
Nearly always things that seem to be a big problem turn out to be not so bad.
Think of others, don’t get too rapt up in yourself.
Be kind, especially to those finding life difficult.