St Peter’s Academy Narok , Kenya

1. St Peter’s AcademyNarok, Kenya Caterham Pumas YFC

2. St Peters – Caterham Pumas • St Peter’s Academy is based in Narok which lies half way between Nairobi and the Masai Mara in Kenya • The journey takes only two hours from Nairobi although it can take twice as long as the journey is fraught with danger • Despite Narok being a developing town the people here face many difficulties Caterham Pumas YFC

3. St Peters – Caterham Pumas • We have been given the opportunity to make a sporting link with St Peters via Maryse Dare who is Head Of Mathematics at de Stafford High School in Caterham • Maryse makes regular trips to St Peters Academy on her school holiday breaks • She has made many friends here and has fallen in love with the country Caterham Pumas YFC

4. St Peters – Caterham Pumas • Although developing it faces, along with most of Kenya, the battle against HIV and related difficulties. It is common to find children being raised by extended family as the number of AIDS orphans grow • We would find it difficult to live in the type of accommodation (no running water, shared toilets, one room for the whole family) that many call home Caterham Pumas YFC

5. St Peters – Caterham Pumas • There is a heavy emphasis placed on education as a means to move forward. There is now free primary education although this can mean over fifty children in a class and sometimes no classrooms for some students • In the bush one might see classes under the trees chanting timetables Caterham Pumas YFC

6. St Peters – Caterham Pumas • There is no sport on the curriculum. It is an extra curriculum activity along with Drama and Music. However sport is important • Kenya is proud of it’s performance in athletics but also loves the English Premier League Caterham Pumas YFC

7. St Peters – Caterham Pumas • Maryse travelled up country into Samburu Land and spent a significant time in the bush in Masailand. She was always surprised to see adverts for English teams and Premier League games and spent many a happy afternoon in a ramshackle shed in the middle of nowhere with a satalite dish strapped to the top! Caterham Pumas YFC

8. St Peters – Caterham Pumas • Chelsea is a favourite because of the African players especially Drogba!!!!! • Maryse has lost count of the number of children she has seen playing football in the street with a ball made from plastic bags with rubber bands surrounding it. • Football is a sport that can make equals of children and bring fun into what may otherwise be a fairly humdrum existance. Caterham Pumas YFC

9. St Peters – Caterham Pumas • The gift of sports clothing has placed an emphasis on sport within St Peters Academy and the school will now be forming a football club which will take place at the end of the day. Caterham Pumas YFC

10. St Peters – Caterham Pumas • “Whilst the importance of football may not be shared by all, it is, at the very least an opportunity for students to have fun and to develop skills outside the main curriculum”. Caterham Pumas YFC

11. St Peters – Caterham Pumas • “I am no longer surprised at the role that football plays in everyday life because it is an opportunity to escape, an opportunity to join together and an opportunity to have fun. Surely that makes football important!” Caterham Pumas YFC

12. St Peters – Caterham Pumas Caterham Pumas YFC