The Bakers Adventures

Well… we did it. The girls had their first day of school in Kenya today and what a day it’s been.

We chose their school for many reasons, but the biggest one was that we could walk there.. which is actually quite rare here. Most schools are further out, in more remote areas or right in the city, where walking isn’t really advisable. This newer campus sits in a developing part of town, away from the chaos, so we can safely stroll there each morning and soak up the outdoors without needing a driver.

There’s a mini school bus that could pick them up right outside our apartment and because of where we live, they’d be first on and last off, so only about six minutes of travel each way. It’s tempting (especially come the peak summer or torrential rain season), but for now, we’re going to try walking until it becomes a headache. I know the heat is new for them, so I’m trying to find the balance between gently pushing them and not overdoing it while we all adjust.

Evie’s in Year 3, which here is still classed as “infant,” so her world stays somewhat the same. Same teacher for every subject (bar swimming and PE), same cosy classroom rhythm she’s used to.

Erin, however, has jumped into Year 5.. but here, Year 5 presents more like what we know as Year 7 in England. Different teachers for each subject, different classrooms, exams every fortnight, and (brace yourself) she’s already had to choose subjects. It’s a big leap for her on top of everything else that’s changed.

Her biggest fear isn’t making friends; it’s getting lost. She’s not hugely independent yet and still needs that extra guidance and reassurance.. not because she isn’t capable, but because she doesn’t always believe she is. My prayer is that this journey shows her how brave, resilient, and wildly capable she truly is. Because moving schools is one thing… moving countries too? That’s next-level bravery.

Evie, on the other hand, doesn’t lack confidence in the slightest (shock). She’s the one holding us all steady, her biggest battles so far being the appropriate hairstyle policy and the length of her skirt, which she’s already had strong opinions about. If you did happen to see the uniform fitting saga I can confirm they are not joining the Jamaican bobsled team.

On that topic, the uniforms are… something else. Wool-lined pinafores, thick trousers, and knitted cardigans. It’s not even summer here yet but walking to school in 22 degrees was enough to make Erin question the will to live.. especially after insisting she had to wear the cardigan we told her she wouldn’t need (lessons learnt).

Lunches though.. unreal. All made fresh on campus, nothing processed, even down to the sauces. Proper meals. Lasagne and garlic bread with salad instead of the cold omelette situation they used to endure. Erin’s in heaven; Pearl’s sticking with packed lunches ( which won’t shock those of you who know her well).

In their new school, if you’re a good swimmer, you must join the school swim team and train at 6am every morning (Monday to Friday). I’m praying, with love and pride, that neither of them are that good in their assessments tomorrow.

School runs 8am–3:15pm here, with the last hour each day dedicated to a lesson they choose for the term. Erin choose wildlife studies for her Monday choice and Peach choose Zumba. I loved this part. They each had five choices for every day and get to explore something new. Finishing the day of something they enjoy.

Oh and another thing I love.. we receive a complete breakdown of the curriculum for the year, every topic and sub-topic. Not just a vague “history: Romans” but a full lesson plan. It feels so transparent, so intentional and actually allows me to ask better questions ( that hopefully won’t be shrugged off).

The school itself is wonderfully diverse.. a true mix of cultures and backgrounds. Many privileged Kenyan students attend, but there’s also a strong expat presence. For now, the girls are the only British children in their year groups, which I know might feel a little intimidating at first… I can’t deny I have been worried about it.. but what an incredible experience to make friends from all over the world.

Life in the UK often felt like survival.. rushing from school pickups to work to dinner to showers, and somehow it was bedtime again. There wasn’t much space to be. Here, with things slowing down a little and me not working as much through the off-season, I hope this becomes a time of connection. Of rediscovering the joy in the in-between.

Erin had Swahili first today (which blows my mind), and Pearl had swimming, so I’m counting down until pick-up to hear all about it. I honestly felt like I’d lost a limb after dropping them off. Even though they’ve been in school up until we left, this feels different. We’re all we have right now.. and we’ve leaned on each other completely to get through this transition.

I went to the gym this morning to lift my mood and move my body again.. something I haven’t really been able to do since my car crash. It felt so good. My fitness levels are currently laughable, and the altitude here nearly finished me off (gasping by minute eight on the stepper), but it’s a start.

Then I came home and had a long chat with Nancy, our lovely maid. She’s kind, funny, and a single mum living in a really poor area. We didn’t technically need help, but were advised that the most meaningful way to support local families is to employ them directly.. to offer opportunity and dignity through work. And she’s already become a friend. While we clean together, I chew her ear off asking endless questions about her culture, and she smiles at me politely wondering if it will ever end or she should charge me extra for the lessons.

Now I’m just counting down the minutes until I can pick up the girls again. Hoping for happy faces and eager hearts, but taking whatever comes.

Because today.. however it looked.. was the first page of something new and I just feel in awe of their courage. 🌿

#TheBakersAdventure #LifeInKenya #NewBeginnings #SchoolDays