Imagine a plateau of scrubby, dry, reddish soil and stone about 500 yards square, ringed by an electrified fence against the elephants (solar powered). Inside, five or six single storey buildings: the teachers’ accommodation, with an unfinished house next door (the builders are at work), a line of classrooms fifty yards away (again, one unfinished for lack of government funding), two toilet blocks (for children and staff …long drop, and with a hole the size and shape of a paperback through which to aim), three large plastic water tanks served from the reservoir across the hillside, which in turn is fed from the well further away, and a tennis- court sized plastic greenhouse in which the community is growing tomatoes and vegetables: this is Sanga!

My journey from Nairobi was every bit as exciting as I'd expected, but I felt in very safe and skillful hands with Samuel, and we arrived at Nanyuki in time for a good brunch, and a chance to meet Faith. Reserved, professional and very smart, she was able to reassure me that all would be well and told me that she was “only a phone call away”. She, like Samuel, was bemused by my ignorance of the workings of mobile phones, and had to put her number into my phone for me, surprise surprise!

Then on to the entrance to Lewa, and transfer into a conservancy Isuzu and another Samuel (the Lewa Education driver) for the last leg. Deeply rutted tracks, giraffe, warthog and various antelope ignored our passing, used, I suppose, to the safari tourists whose money helps support the conservancy and the Education programme.

After an hour we leave the heathlands of Lewa and begin to climb towards the neighbouring Borani Conservancy and finally into the Sanga district. The hillside is dotted with round thatched huts, and children and their parents look on as the Isuzu nears the school gates. I wonder to myself if the children have been told much about my visit. No, I learn later.

Finally, I meet the Head, Moses, and his deputy Joseph, who, since yesterday afternoon have made me welcome with many acts of hospitality and kindness (when I mentioned that Nairobi Samuel had suggested that there might be fresh milk in the mornings,, Moses said not, but lo and behold, a little porter duly arrives at 7.00am with a plastic bottle filled with fresh creamy milk, and my weetabix and bananas make an excellent start to the day).

I was invited to join Pastor William and his congregation of 15 or so souls this morning (they use a classroom until the church is finished, and I saw the framework in the distance on a stroll with Moses this afternoon). Their worship was very joyous, and I thanked them for their singing, promising them that I would sing for them (from the AH hymnbook) next week. Israel, my interpreter gets it right, since my remark is greeted with warm smiles. I was really pleased to have made myself known so soon to the community.

My tent is sturdy and dry (we’ve had two showers as the rainy season nears) and I shall soon be getting my first cooked supper ready (not too impressed with the gas cooker, so I’m trying the Forest School approach, Nici!)

I slept like a log last night and woke to the most wonderfully clear views of the countryside on all sides. Mount Kenya, with its snow necklace, about 40 miles to the south, Lewa plains below and mountains near and far to virtually 360 degrees.

Tomorrow the children return to school and I shall have lots more to write about.

A bonus to report before I close: the solar panel sends electricity to a large battery. It has a ‘cigarette lighter” style output, so I’ll be able to recharge both the mobile phone and my camera battery.

To sum up first impressions, then? The spectacular beauty of my new home and the warmth of my welcome contrast cruelly with the harshness of life for the people for whom this truly is home.