Habari

Home Wapi? Missing Rafikis Reunions Photographs Kila Kitu! Obituaries Memories The Logs Family Useful Links

Any LOGs who wish to contribute to this page, please sent your news to Jane Hitchcock on kenyaloretos@gmail.com quoting your maiden name and the year of School Cert/O Levels

 

Su Kahumbu here, was in LCM ......Funny no one uses the term any .for what seems like forever!! Sister of Joy, Amanda, Wam, Dominic, Paula, David, John and Andrew!!!..........:) we were the guys who rocked up at school in the yello mini bus!!!We swam and ran alot. :)

Left in 1980 to join Saints for last two years.
Looking for Anne Burgi, Kabura Kimani, Verena Reisch, Inger Ohlssen, Sandra Wray. FOUND NANCY THAM!!!

Also am in touch with Sister Mary Owens she can be contacted at
Mary@nyumbani.org

Great site!!
I can be contacted on this mail info@organic.co.ke as well as Su Kahumbu on face book.

Natalie Millner - London, England.  Msongari 60-64/5 [ish - I would have been around 7-8 years old when we left Kenya - I had my 50th in 2007!]. nataliemsam@yahoo.com
We left Kenya for the UK shortly after Independence, moved to the Midlands initially and then down to Hatch End and subsequently Pinner, Middx.  Have been living in south-west London for 25 years. Worked in the advertising industry for 20-odd years and am now
working locally for an independent, 'high-end' estate agent. Am living with partner of 12 years after previous 10 year relationship - no children from either, but three current adult 'steps'!
Contemporaries at Msongari were Geraldine [nickname
Pog] Montgomery [nee O'Donoghue], Kathryn Addly,
Elizabeth Peacock & Jane Suffield - does anyone know
where the latter three are? I do have a photo of our 1st Holy Communion somewhere, but probably can't put names to most of the faces. We became friendly with John & Liz Garratt [nee Donaldson] - but I don't think Liz is an LOG - some years back, only to
discover that Liz is very friendly with Geraldine's younger sister, Hilary Keighley, and that my mother, Marcia Millner and Liz's mother Dr Anne Donaldson knew each other in Kenya!  Have never been back to
Kenya, having missed going to Geraldine's wedding, but
would dearly love to do so one day.

I'm Jennifer Ribeiro (nee Harris) JennyRib04@aol.com and I was a day girl at Eldoret's Loreto Covent from around 1954 to about 1956, age 7 to 9.  I had been at Hill School for a year before this, but my parents thought that the convent would be a civilising influence and that I would learn to sew!  I was a complete tomboy, usually up a tree or down in the dust with my Dinky cars.  I was in a class taught by Wendy Green at first, and I think I only played with the little boys who were admitted in the younger classes. I remember we used to sqirt each other with the water-filled buds of the large bean tree. Of the nuns I remember Mother Kennis who taught algebra with kindness, sweet Mother Breed, and the new Superior, Mother Lucy, who had a rather hurtful line in sarcasm.  I remember learning the rudiments of French, and I still have that red-covered illustrated textbook. I hated the copybooks of cursive writing; mine were always covered with ink blots. I sang quite well and I was the lilac fairy in a musical production of  Sleeping Beauty, and also the understudy for the Princess, having a day of glory when the lead was ill and I was the star! I also went down to Nairobi to sing in a contest as part of a team representing the convent. My father was the local Inspector of Taxes and active in the Uasin Gishu Arts Society; he directed a production of Quality Street at the convent. I'm afraid I do not remember any friend's names, perhaps because I was still seeing old friends from Hill School, Nan and Jill Brindley (daughters of the headmaster, Arthur Brindley), and my next door neighbour Sylvia Witherick. I moved back to Hill school after 2 years, then we went to Nairobi, where I went to St Georges and Kenya High School.  I am a retired teacher, married to a Portuguese man, with 2 children and 2 grandsons.

 

Janice de Courcier (nee Griggs) janicedecourcier@bigpond.com writes: Came across the website by accident and stayed up most the night going through all the pages – what a trip down memory lane.

The Griggs family arrived in Kenya in 1959, and Elaine (now Lees)and I (now de Courcier) spent 18 months at Parklands Kindergarden & Primary, then went to Entebbe and spent 2 years at Lake Victoria Primary, then to Dar and 2 years at Burton Street School before Loreto Mombasa  62-63 and then Valley Road 64-68..  My father Peter was with the EA High Commission (airports), and mum (Margaret) ran the Shezan Silk Boutique behind the New Stanley when we went back to Nairobi.

Elaine attended the schools the same time but is 3 years younger.  We both then left to go to boarding school in Bideford North Devon; but did return to Kenya and attended Mrs O’Toole’s Secretarial College and Coldhams at some time.  I then worked for Scott Wilson Kirkpatrick before we finally left Kenya in November 1975 – never to return, but oh what memories. 

Now both residing in Perth Western Australia.  Where you can walk down the street and the likelihood of bumping into an ex-Kenyan is 90%!!  I have 2 sons now 27 & 28, and they went to school with the Guilbert and O’Toole off-spring, and my sister’s girls (she has 5 children) went to school with the girls.  Small world!

However, I’d love to know where my school friends are today – the Valley Road Form 4 of 1968 – Margaret Collis, Lorna Bremner, Maureen Coulson, Yolanda G, Trish Houreau, Patricia Paglia ,any of the Girls on the 1 st  XI Hockey – and the swim team (Melody Dudeney) spent many a lunch-time at her house.  Remember the first school dance, and the musical productions at the Donovan Theatre.

Also had a fabulous get-together with Kay Hopkins (a fantastic teacher, and great family friend) and her daughter Anne when I went to UK in 2006.  We managed to name all the nuns and their nick-names over a wine and an Irish coffee or two!!

Love to hear from anyone who can remember us, and thanks for the website.

 

 

NEW 10/04/08

SUCCESS! Karen Macleod (nee Christie) torquilm@wanadoo.fr writes: Thanks to your wonderfully  easy to follow site and a little bit of gumshoe work, I am delighted to report that I am now in contact with several long-lost rafikis from Msongari '57 - '66. Diddles Wheeler, Carolyn Miller, Vivy Miller, Lynette Poppleton...and of course, through them, yet others. We have been having such fun catching up and recalling many happy times. Even more incredibly, I am back in contact with my Australian inter-Loreto pen pal, Maree in Australia...where my daughter just happens to be at the time of writing! Maree tells me that only a few days before receiving my first message she had been thinking of me....45 years after our last exchange of letters!

Did someone say Goose-bumps? I am so hoping to catch up with Sr. Germaine when I go to Scotland in June.

Wonderful news Karen, I am so glad that you have been able to catch up with some old chums.

My name is Reena Chopra (maiden name Reena Malhotra --always called Reena M) and I was in Loreto Mombasa from 1971 to 1976. I'd luv to hear from friends like Lena and Anna Flordin, Gipvanni Vergio, David Sergio, Patricia and lots others. Let me know if anyone has any news of them reenachopra2003@yahoo.com

Christine Alder (nee Owen-Thomas) Mombasa 1964 christinecea@hotmail.com

I was born in Mombasa and lived there for 18 years.  Went to the Loreto Convent when it was centrally located in town and then moved to the new building and schooled there until my family left for England in '63-64.

 

Kiran Grewal - London NW8. Loreto Mombasa 1966-1973, Msongari 1974-1977.
Would love to hear from people that I was at school with! kiransjw@hotmail.com (03/04/08)

'Brouwsing the internet I came upon this site. My name is Winny Vetter (used to be van Eeten) I went Loreto Convent Msongari and left in 1974. Would love to hear from anyone especially Debora Collins (had a brother Brian at St. Marys) Claire Davies, Patricia (Trish) Brennen, Jean Matishu (probably spelt wrong sorry) Heather Mayers (2 brothers St. Marys Dave and Alan) Wendy Knight.

I lived in Nakuru went to Greensteads than onto Msongari. Then to Mombasa Cuthberts Secretarial college. Now living in Holland. Would love to hear from anyone. winnyvetter@gmail.com
 

Beryl Thompson (nee Cuthbert) writes: First I must congratulate you on an excellent website for Loreto Old Girls. (Thanks!)  I found my way to it recently and know it will provide many hours of reminiscing about some very happy days. 

May I pass on some updated information to you?  My mother, Eileen Cuthbert (nee Moore) died on the 18th September, 2000.  She was an old girl of Eldoret and Msongari - I'm not sure of the exact dates - 1930s.  My aunt (Mum's sister) is Joan Jenkins (nee Moore) and was also at Eldoret and Msongari - same dates.  She lives at Aldeburgh, Suffolk.
I was at Valley Road and Msongari 1950 - 1960.  We all enjoyed our schooldays at Loreto and were all taught by Mother Mary of Lourdes!
I am now living in Kerikeri, Bay of Islands, New Zealand.
Many thanks for all the hard work you must do to keep the site running.  It's a wonderful link for all of us LOGs.
 

Vivienne Hayes (Woodall) has been in touch and writes: I would like to inform you that I retired last October and that my email address has changed.  My new email address is: viviennehayes@hotmail.com
 
I log on to the site at least once a month and love to see all the new entries.  I recently caught up with my best friend from Loreto Eldoret Barbara McKay and have your site to thank.  It was a very emotional conversation after nearly 45 years.  We now keep in touch on a regular basis even though I am in Australia and Barbara is in Europe........thank goodness for email !!

NEW 22/01/08

Thanks for the lovely Valley Road photographs Sylvia

Sylvia Hickey (nee Nicholls) writes with lovely memories she and her sister Pamela Wilkinson (nee Nicholls) have of Loreto.

 Both my sister and myself would like to be added to the web site as we have both enjoyed it since my accidentally finding it one thoroughly miserable Irish summer day.

We went out to Kenya in the late 1950’s to Mombasa.  What a glorious lovely place after the rather grim and grey north of England, where we had lived previously. 

The nuns at that time were all somewhat confusingly called “Mother” and it was a very conservative school – to put it mildly – we had to curtsey – more of a quick bob most of the time – but can you imagine any girl today doing that!?  Not the ones I know.  Having said that I was happy there once the initial settling in time was over.  The teachers I remember best were Mother Carmel, who had the misfortune to amongst other things teach me art and games including tennis and hockey. She was always lovely to me but I would guess her heart sank when several years later having left Kenya and lived in Zambia and Malawi I turned up in Valley Rd and she was condemned again to deal with my total ineptitude in either subject.  Mother Louis and I got on well so long as we stuck to maths and latin – and then she got me for sewing.  Mrs Chisholm and Mrs Palmer were also there.  Mother Brid taught history my favourite subject. The girls I remember Sylvia Melville, Penny Crooke, Sally, Theresa – actually I will stop there as it was a small class and it would be awful to omit someone and pointless to just list a class.

 We actually had a year or so in the old school near the town centre before we moved en masse to the new school. This was a huge  change and for a while we all found school life very exciting.  Etiquette lessons on Saturday mornings are something else that stand out in my memory – not that I have ever used anything I learned there – the world changed by the time I was old enough to be leading the life that needed such things.

 We left Mombasa with deep regret I would have been happy to live there forever,  after wandering around central Africa and a short time back in the UK we went to Nairobi and Valley Rd, in fact we were there twice with about 1 year in between sojourns I hated it the first time and loved it the second .  I  remember the girls more than the teachers – a sign perhaps that I was a teenager ,  how many of us queued up to get into a Hard Days Night ?  and it was so worth it.  I was sorry to leave when once again my family set off for pastures new.  The names I remember from Valley Rd would be Alison, Sheila, Miriam and Doreen.  Also Anne, Bujenna, Nuala,

 When I left school I ended up in Cape Town which I loved but left to travel around.  I spent a few years during which time I managed to get around quite a lot of Europe, spend almost a year in Israel and then head for India via Iran, Afghanistan over the Khyber Pass etc. Great freedom and a few years I would not trade for anything.  I ended up in Ireland – where I still live.  Pamela lives in Cape Town.  Both of us have two children each having a boy and a girl all of whom are now well grown up and the next generation has put in an appearance.

Jill Lake (nee Garnett) writes - I was amazed, when searching for something completely different on the web, to accidentally come across the Loreto Kenya site!  I was briefly at Msongari in the early 1950s and finished school at Loreto Mombasa in 1962 (after being expelled from KGHS!). Imagine my surprise to find the pics of the dear old school (though my fonder memories are of the old colonial building behind Ralli House – I never liked the modern new school so much even though I walk there from my home in Kizingo Road).  And to see girls I remembered – Tina Herbert,  Deborah C hisnall (I remember her sister Joanna, too)Josephine O’Hare (our parents were friends), Gillian Barter, Anne Sandford, Irena etc.  I ran into Ann Clark in Zambia some years after we left school and her then husband Carl (ex Coca Cola Mombasa) worked with my brother in Coca Cola in the US for some years.  I have lived in Queensland Australia for many years and am still close friends with Valerie Wheeler, now Bax, (ex Loreto Mombasa and ex Valley Road before that) who was my best friend at school and lives in Brisbane about an hour away from me.  My other close friend at that time was Irene Adams but have long since lost touch with her.  I see that the pictures came from Mary Phillips (now Hamilton) whose sister-in-law Lorna still lives in Mombasa and remains a good friend after all these years – we still write regularly even though we haven’t seen each other since 1971!  Mother Theresina was headmistress in those days and I fondly remember her and also Mother Luey (Aloysius), a great character.  I did hear many years ago that little Mother Carmel had died of cancer.  After all these years I still remember Kenya with great affection and would love to hear from any old girls who remember me.  Thanks for a great website – it was such a thrill to find it.

Beverley Taylor writes: Through this website, I managed to contact my best friend Colleen Golder and have been over to see her in California 4 times in the last few years. Thanks to you and the website, I have gotten back a very important friend in my life and have been greatly enriched because of this.
 

My name is Karen Christie (now Macleod).  I was at Loreto Convent Mombasa - not the "new" school as seen on the photos, but the old one - from 1955 to 1957 when I was "transferred" to Msongari and where I stayed until 1965.  The only ex-pupil I am in contact with is Felicity (Flick) Ballard and would love to know what has become of my former classmates whom I remember with great affection.  Such happy days!

 

NEW 16/09/07

Susan Lukwago writes; I attended Loreto Convent Msongari from 1978-1985 and ask if there is anyone who recognizes or remembers me!  If so, please write to me at slukwago@sbcglobal.net  I live in Southwest Kansas now. 

Woohoo for all Loreto Old Girls!   Thank you again for this website and the opportunity it holds. Thanks Susan!

Hello ,my name is Mwelwa Kafumukache Musunsa musunsamwelwa@hotmail.com and 34 years old now. My sister Jill and I schooled at Loreto Mombassa Convent from 1974 to 1979. We were the only pupils from Zambia then, so I’m sure it is not difficult to remember us. My Dad  worked as Company Secretary for a Corporation then called East and Southern African Shipping Line.(The Company was owned by Malawi,Uganda,Zambia,Tanzania). We lived in Nyali.

My Class mates used to call me Wawa. We never seem to forget the elite students and high class teaching that we were once offered there . We used the Standards of Loreto as an ideal for the schools we later went to .

I hear an inner voice telling me to visit Loreto again…..

I live in Russia –Ryazan and i am in my final year studying Telecommunications Engineering at the Ryazan State Radio Engineering University. In Zambia I work for a Hydro power Company.

NEW 05/09/07

LILIANA BRYANT (PAVLIDIS) writes I WAS AT LORETO CONVENT MSONGARI FROM 63 TO 71. I RESIDE IN NAIROBI KENYA WITH MY HUSBAND. I AM LOOKING FOR ANYONE WHO WAS WITH ME DURING THOSE YEARS AT MSONGARI. IF ANYONE HAPPENS TO COME TO NAIROBI PLEASE CALL ME ON 214682 OR MOBILE 0733716771. I LUV TO HEAR FROM YOU. OR WANTS TO WRITE TO ME ON EMAIL PLEASE DO lilyharris@iconnect.co.ke

 I BUMPED INTO SISTER MARGARET 2 YEARS AGO IN KAREN AT AN ART SHOW NEAR BAZAAR BAZAAR.

My name is Suzanne Minter (nee Free) and i was at Mombasa Loreto till 1970, i lived at Mbaraki near Likoni Ferry. The Melvilles used to live down the road (Sylvia, Penny and Robert Melville). We all had such good fun during those years. I remember Fleur Savy, Marcia Mauro, Carol & Susan Gillies, Celia Malcolm-Smith, Peta & Clare Keen-Hammerson, Carol Van Rensburg, Adelaide & Elizabeth Momanno (Spelling!), Julia Botto, Gail & Kathleen Price, Christine Ferrand, Gail Woodward, Kathleen Russel and many others. Also Mrs Freeman our swimming teacher, Mrs Crowe and a few of the nuns. I also remember doing our bronze, silver & gold life saving awards at a horrible pool along the sea front. If i remember rightly there were crabs in the bottom and known of us would put our feet down on the bottom!!

Does anyone know where any of the above girls are?
I would love to hear from anyone. dsmint@btinternet.com

Pauline O'Meara (Waters) has been in touch - Just cruised over the web-site looking for names of pupils I might remember, however the school looks very familiar. I remember Sr Stanilaus (not sure if spelling is correct) was the mother-superior during my time and one of my friends was Vivian Miller (Vivy) whom I lost contact in 1969.
I left the school when I was 15 (Tanzania gained its independence) and I moved with my family to New Zealand.
I’d love some information about ex-boarders and the school. po'meara@george.org.au

NEW 05/09/07

Jackie Bageire-Hutchins writes; I am trying to put together a scrapbook/ album of my time in school and I cant seem to find anything with a history of  Loreto Convent Msongari. When it was formed.. headmistresses.. etc…

I was in Msongari for 8 years in primary school and just one year in high school and I remember Sr Pauline & Sr Thomas Moore.. and some teachers like Ms Braganza, Ms D’souza, Mr Almeida, Sr. Breid? That’s about it. Is there anywhere I can go online o look up this information or anyone I can contact who may have this information? jackiebh@sbcglobal.net

If anyone does have this information, please let me know and I can put it on the website.

My name is Lisa Zuzarte (nee Rodrigues) mlzuzarte@peoplepc.com I was in Loreto Convent Msongari from 1975 to 1986.  I think this site is the best thing ever!!  Thank you for taking the time and all your effort in putting it together!! (Thank you!)  Because of this site I was able to get in touch with Karen Mathews (nee Jenkins) though I have yet to get a reply from her to my email....I have some pictures I am sending of our 'gang' waaay back then, hopefully you can post them in the site....I too would like to hear from Catherine Mbugwa, Betty Wareham, Sheila Bugingo,Helen 'G',

My name is Penny Caffyn (nee Smale) I was at Eldoret between 1959 and 1962.

I now live on the Isle of Wight, England with my husband Derek, and I have three daughters ranging in ages between 16 and 35.  I also have two grand daughters aged 5 and 3. 

Anyone who remembers me can contact me on caffyn@btinternet.com

 

NEW 15/08/07

Sue Goolsbee (nee Bishop), Arlington, Washington USA (sue@defensenet.org) writes; I and my sister Janice Bishop were students at Loreto Valley Road in the late 1960-1970s.  I remember that my best friends were Hilary Bevis, Susan Miller and Beulah Vad Gama.  I most remember eating gooseberries (not an American food) and popcorn with a spoon.  Also that horrible grey-brown liquid the nuns called soup.  Mother Phillips, Mother Teresa, what  little French and Math I remember I owe to their efforts.  By chance I was in London in 1997 and met up with Sue Ballentyne Evans and Erica Whitehead from Msongari – we were all contemporaries.  I remember my childhood in Africa with fondness.

 

Maureen Scanlan nee Walker (moscan_ie@yahoo.com) wrote with an update and a photo she found recently..

 
Am still in touch with Kathleen Murray nee Russell but would love to hear from any of the "old girls" from my years in either Loreto Mombasa or M'songari. Kathleen is married with two wonderful children and I am godmother to her son...
 
I left Kenya in August 1972 and came to Ireland where I eventually met and married my husband Michael.  We have two grown up children, my daughter got married recently and my son is getting married in April... a busy time recently...
 
please do add my e-mail address to my name would really love to hear from any of the gang...
 

NEW 13/08/07
Love your website, so many old friends.  A question first.  Do you happen to know whether Maureen Guillermin (she was married to John Guillermin the Hollywood film director) nee Maureen Connell has changed her e-mail address?  She and I knew each other as children and I e-mailed her using the address she gave on your website but it has been daemoned back to me each time.
    This is just to confirm that I now have a novel, set in Kenya, on both Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com entitled 'THE CRACKS IN THE PAVEMENT'.  If it is of interest I quote from the synopsis at the back of the book below.  Have had very good feed-back from both websites - two five star reviews on the American site and two four star reviews on the British site - and gratifying e-mails from people who have read it.
 
    THIS IS THE STORY OF A DYSFUNCTIONAL WHITE FAMILY - THE KINGSTONS - SET AGAINST THE BEAUTIFUL, AT TIMES DANGEROUS, BUT ALWAYS FASCINATING BACKGROUND OF COLONIAL PRE-INDEPENDENT KENYA OF THE NINETEEN FORTIES AND FIFTIES.
    IT FOLLOWS THE YOUNGEST CHILD IN THE FAMILY, MARDY, FROM CHILDHOOD INTO ADULTHOOD STRUGGLING TO MAKE SENSE OF A GROWN-UP, PARENTAL WORLD SHE CANNOT UNDERSTAND BUT OFTEN RESENTS.   HER 'LITTLE GIRL' CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH A YOUNG ITALIAN, WHO LATER ERUPTS INTO HER LIFE WITH DIRE CONSEQUENCES, ALL INFLUENCE THE GROWN-UP MARDY KINGSTON.
    AFRICANS, HER BLACK NURSEMAID IN PARTICULAR, PLAY A VERY IMPORTANT ROLE IN HER YOUNG LIFE.   ALTHOUGH SHE COMES FROM A WHITE SETTLER CULTURE SHE DOES NOT ALWAYS SUSBSCRIBE TO IT.
    THIS IS THE AFRICA OF THE LAST CENTURY, AN AFRICA THAT IS NOW NEARLY GONE.  VIOLENCE; ANIMALS (CHARMING AND ALSO TERRIFYING); BLUE WARM SEAS, PALM TREES; LOVE (AND HATE) AFFAIRS;  COLONIAL CHARMERS WHO ARE LARGER THAN LIFE.   ALL THESE, PLUS AN EMBATTLED RELATIONSHIP WITH HER MOTHER, FORM MARDY'S CHARACTER AND MAKE HER THE ATTRACTIVE, COMPLICATED AND SENSUAL GIRL SHE BECOMES.
 
    The nostalgia everyone who grew up in Kenya feels is very evident from what people write on your webpage.  As I get older I find my Kenyan childhood is ever clearer in my memory!
Regards,
Elizabeth McDougall (nee Goofy Thornton)!
 

NEW 21/11/06

My name is Johnathan Elliott, and my sister is named Peta. We both attended Loreto Covent in Mombasa in the 60s. Our family left Kenya in late 1969 to live in South Africa, but since then we have made our way to the UK. I often wondered what had happened to old friends, you know what its like, looking at old photos, but because we left Kenya when I was 8, I don't remember a hell of a lot about it (just the good bits)

I have attached a photo of my class, the date is November 1966, I am third from the right (teacher end), sitting on the bench with my arms crossed. I believe the teacher's name was Mrs. Staples, who I know used to live in Pulborough, West Sussex. If you could post the photo, and see if anyone recognises themselves, it would be fantastic. I know that unfortunately, a couple of the people in the picture are no longer with us, but you never know.

My name is Anouschka van der Pouw, I lived in Kenya from 1975-1982 and attended Loreto Msongari from ’76-’82, after attending the Dutch School for one year. My elder sister was at Msongari too, Judith. She left for Holland after her 0-levels, in 1981, for further schooling in Holland. We went back to Holland May 1982, to my great regret! I was in form 3 then, so couldn’t do 0-levels with my class. I discovered this site (to my delight!) after entering an old friends’ name in google. Her name is Alice Senabulya, another friend is Ailish Byrne. Other class mates I remember are Sia Nowrojee, Anbreen Khan, Cheryl Rego, Cathy Harmon, Fiona Araujo, Anna Tuva, Barbara Shamalla, Priya (who was Max in the Sound of Music, I remembered after reading this site!),Michele D’Sa, Sejal Patel, Zainab, Teresa Fereira, Krishna Rao.

I have so many fond memories of Msongari and life in Kenya! I was in the Sound of Music too…a very small part (although I was immensely proud to be in it!!) at the end in the concert, where I played a piece of music with two other girls, I don’t remember their names. Alice Senabulya was in it too, as one of the children. After leaving Kenya, I kept in contact with Ailish and Alice for quite some years. The three of us met up in Brighton in 1987, which was great. I still have Alice’s address, but have lost contact with Ailish (get in touch if you read this!). I know she’s been working on health projects in Ethiopia in 2004 (also through google), but haven’t managed to contact her yet.

When I entered Msongari in 1976, I spoke not a word of English…I felt terrible then! Luckily I had two dutch girls (Melissa Bakker and Nienke Sombroek) in my class, so I didn’t feel completely lost. But in three months time I was bi-lingual! Melissa and Nienke left quite soon, but were great friends till then! I was a Ward girl (the red team), the other teams were Gordon (blue),Borgia (yellow) and Ball (green). I write this for Annelieke Erkelens (her brother Koen was friends a while with my brother Roland, who attended Hill Crest), after reading her memories on the site!

Sr. Pauline was impressive, as was Sr. Mary, in another way! I also remember Sr. Carmel who did the art class, the French teacher (lost his name), the geography teacher(lost her name too…!), who insisted the Dutch capital city was The Hague, while I knew it was Amsterdam. I did not manage to convince her otherwise, to my frustration! I remember the weekly gatherings in the assembly hall singing the National Anthem, the weekly Mass.

When I look at the school photo’s, I can feel myself running the various stairs, picture which classes I was in, even the tables I sat at! Playing tennis, the swimming pool (I was there a lot, as I was member of the swimming team, as was Alice, who was the faster swimmer!), the library, the cooking classes…super!!

At present I am a nurse (specialist in COPD), working in a hospital in Holland. We (Léon and I) have two kids (Robin, a 10 year old boy and Sacha, 7 year old girl) and enjoy life here. We want tot make a memory trip to Kenya in a few years, and we’ll certainly visit Msongari then!

I would love to hear from anyone who remembers me! leon.anouk@hetnet.nl

NEW 06/11/06 Elizabeth McDougall's (Goofy Thornton Valley Rd/Msongari 1950's) book "The cracks in the Pavement" is now available on Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com

My name is Anne Belbin, now Pohl, and I was up in Kenya this year in June when my husband and I, plus 2 friends, were on a 3 month East African safari. This is the first time I have been back to Kenya since we left in 1963 to come down south to S.A. where I have been ever since - spent 2 years in England after I left school here - and, approaching the 60 year age group in 2 years time, thought it was about time I did something about going back.

We had the most amazing trip - we drove and did 17,500 km in all, going as far as Murchison Falls in Uganda. To say that Kenya has changed almost out of all recognition is an understatement as I tried to find our farm first and really hadn't a clue as to where it was as all the old colonial farms have been carved up into 4 acre plots so everyone has their own piece of land which they cultivate. Unfortunately, we did miss out on the last 50 km stretch of the absolutely hilarious main road to Eldoret - has to be seen to be believed - as we turned off at Lessos onto a brand, spanking new road which took us eventually past Kapsabet and we entered Eldoret that way - past the international airport, which, of course wasn't there when we lived in Kenya. So I'm sure that eventually I would have found our old farm. Anyway, past the airport and it's unbelievable how the brain goes into overdrive and things come back to you - I was really thrilled to look up the avenue of gum trees and see the main building standing there and it was as if I had been there yesterday. We drove in and I couldn't believe how immaculate everything is - the old tennis wall and courts are still there - maize is growing where the hockey fields were - I found a sister Paschalia and she took us around the school - it was really quite weird as I half expected all the girls to come bursting out of the dormitories and it was as if time had stood still - everything is exactly the same  - they are the proud owners of a very nice swiming pool which we were taken along to see. It is at the back of the classrooms - very nice. The chapel obviously doesn't have the pews in it anymore, but it is really beautiful - Miss Strip's cottage is still there - remember her dachsie, Squibb? and the music teacher -  was it Mrs Bowden? The sick bay, the dining room which has been partioned off into cubicles - the sweet press, the music rooms, medicine press, the kitchen - I could almost smell the fish and cabbage being over cooked!!! everything beautifully looked after. I could almost see the nuns - Mothers Margarita, Lucy, Canice, Gertrude Mary, Theresa Joseph, Ethne and Bernadette and I can't remember anymore and the Fathers, Ambrose and Mcgelligot. Very emotional.

I have a photo which must have been taken just before I left with us all standing on the front steps. At the back is Josephine Everard who came down south but I don't know what happened to her, Karen Malherbe, Angela Black, Janina Szustek, then second row there's you, Louise Cilliers who also came down south, Pat Parrington, Daphne Shimwell,Joan Smith, Maureen Greathead who came south and then off to Australia, and Judy Grafton, front row is Carla Usher, and a girl I can't for the life of me think who it is - Pat someone? -  Edith Jacobs, Sarah? - she wore glasses -  Lindsay Usher, Barbara Innes, Yola Mintowt Czyz and me. I'm quite proud of myself as there isn't one name on the back !!!!!! Not too shabby after 43 years!!! We all battled to settle down after we came home as, particularly for me, I would dearly have loved to found our farm. My brother went to the Hill School, so we called in there - my mother, who sadly died of cancer in 1966, was a matron there, and I found the cemetry where my sister is buried- she died when she was three. My father recently passed away -on 27th Sept. and he would have been 90 on 30th November - I was able to show him all my photos and it meant alot to him too.

Anyway, I am just so delighted that I was able to go back and find it looking great.

I hope that you are well and here's hoping that I will hear from you sometime. I am extremely fit, fat and floursihing and have a great life.

NEW 12/09/06

Just for fun I Googled Msongari - and up it came, my word what a lot of memories.
My name is Gillian Nicholson (nee Tester) I was a day girl at Msongari from 1958-1962 and then left to go to boarding school in England at age 10. Came home regularly for the holidays though! My parents left Kenya in 1979, and although I have been back since on holiday, have never been back to the old school.

I now live in Chicago, and have lived all over the world with my husband (ex-Kilimani!) We have 2 kids, both now in London working.

My friends at Msongari at the time were Alison Ward, Alison Aitken, Alison Hicks (lots of Alisons that year!) Susan Huckle, Madeleine Simonian and that's where the memories give out on me I am afraid!

I have lost touch with everyone... If there is anyone out there with news, my e-mail address is lost_tribe@sbcglobal.net

My sister Catherine also attended Msongari from 1965-1970

NEW 09/09/06

Lisa DePass-Stulgaitis (Stulgaitis) wyman_ink@comcast.net writes: I don't know what prompted me to google Loreto Convent Valley Road today but I'm so glad I did!  Thank you so much Jane for creating this virtual community.

My name is Lisa DePass-Stulgaitis (Lisa Stulgaitis back in primary school).  My sister Gina Baumgardt (also Stulgaitis then) and I attended Loreto Convent Valley Road in Nairobi from 1976 to 1978, Forms I and II respectively.  Back then we actually lived on Valley Road right across the street from the school, close enough to walk home for lunch. Attending the school was such a high point for both of us and though we lost touch with our classmates (Sheila Kahugu- Thrity Mehta are you out there?), we remember those times with great affection.   I have pictures somewhere in my collection of both Gina and I in our smart sky blue uniforms and candy apple red sweaters.  I'll scan them and send them soon.

My most vivid memories?  Friday assemblies singing the Kenyan National Anthem, weekly mass,  piano lessons, Sister Peter Claver and swatting, tennis lessons and singing with the choir ("Cherry Ripe") with my friends Linda and Silvia (whose last names are lost to the bygone years), questions from my Kenyan friends about why Kansas and Arkansas have two different pronunciations(!), and so much more.

After returning to the US, our family moved out to the California coast.  And although my parents eventually retired to the US southwest, I'm still happily settled in California (Oakland) working as web programmer, technical communicator and freelance writer.  My sister Gina is working with American Express and is living in Wimbledon, UK on temporary assignment.  Regrettably, neither of us has been back to Kenya or to the school for more than two decades.  Perhaps one day though we'll make it to a reunion somewhere in the world!

I wish all Loreto Old Girls the very best!

My name is Rosa M. Githiora rmgithiora78@yahoo.com I attended primary school at Loreto Convent Valley Road from 1985-1992 and then high school at Loreto Convent Msongari from 1993-1996.  I live in Akron, Ohio USA just completed my Masters of Public Administration and now working as a Corrections Case Worker.  I managed to locate my friends Ruth Wairagu in Nairobi, Kenya, Kelly N. Mungai in Tanzania and Caroline Kahuho in Johannesburg, South Africa as we recapped on our hey-days in Mso. with the plays and Science Congress competitions, marching before sports day or swimming galas. I was in Ball house at the time. I went home to visit in June 2005, and Msongari is still as beautiful as ever, I went looking for Mr. Ali, Mrs. Mazoa, Mr. Lubega, Sister Consolata and Sister Redempta to say hello but didnt find them, I did speak with Salome[the secretary] and saw the guys Martin and the other taller man who used to be lab technicians.

 I also visited Loreto Valley Road it has expanded a lot but the lower and upper primary are still the same, they also changed the uniform for the lower primary. I remember Mrs. Macharia[BIMA] and Mrs. Diva and Mrs Mbogo not forgetting Sister Consolata and Sister Redempta. This is a wonderful site I wish there'd be a reunion in America, I'd love to see my old class-mates. I have attached a photograph of Msongari in our day 1993 with the girls[from left] Ruth Wairagu, Myself, Kelly N. Mungai and Doreen Alusa. (Many thanks for the photograph - it is posted on the Msongari photos page)

NEW 30/08/06

Meera Shah writes: My cousin Shruti (who was also a Loreto girl) sent me your weblink. I was at Loreto Msongari from 1981 to 1993, all through primary school...with Sister Thomas Moore and secondary school with Sister Pauline (does anyone remember those famous claps?!)

I now live in the UK and would love to get in touch with anyone who was there and remembers what a special place it was.  almasume@yahoo.co.uk

Clare Jethwa (nee Fogarty) clarebatuk@yahoo.com has been in touch with an update:

What a wonderful job. Came across the website quite by chance. Here is a bit about me and my older sister, Elizabeth (nee Fogarty) Spicer.

 We joined Eldoret in  May 1955, and Elizabeth left in December 1959. I stayed until December 1961.

She got married in 1967 to John Spicer in Navan, Co. Meath (RoI), and has six children - Gwen, Johnny, Paddy, Kevin, Jo and Clare. Her husband died in 2001. She ran the family business for a few years until the eldest son,  Johnny, felt able to take over, and she is now enjoying semi-retirement and her 7 grandchildren.

I married Batuk in 1974 and we have three sons, Kiran, Sameer and Jaimin. I have lived in Nairobi for the past 32 years and help Batuk to run the business. At present Kiran lives with us, Sam in Dublin, and JJ in Angola. I am very active in the East Africa Women's League and the Catholic International Community (the latter is based at Loreto Msongari) and meet a lot of LOGs in  both organisations.

 I am in contact with Susan (Burrough) Clarke, who was my best friend at Eldoret and now lives in Bideford, North Devon. Bridget (O'Shea) Davies lives here in Nairobi, is married to Colin and has three daughters who are great friends with my boys. Bridget was in my class at Eldoret

Tina Duff-Dobson (nee Herbert) tinaduff-dobson@hotmail.com writes: I have been recently introduced to your website by an old friend from Mombasa - Christopher Dickenson.   He was a St Marys boy but his two sisters were at my school.   We attended Loreto Mombasa.   I was there from 1952 till leaving in 1961 except for a few years in between at Nairobi Primary.   On leaving school I went to Edinburgh to train as a nurse.   After graduating I travelled till 1967 round South Africa, Europe and the Uk before meeting my husband in Venice in 1967.   We married in 1969 and returned to NZ to farm.   I have been single since 1994 and live in Auckland, New Zealand close by to my three children, Marion, Amanda and Andrew and my 6 grandchildren.   Having had a Stroke this year I no longer work but find I'm busier than I ever have been.

 My interest is in rowing where I am an official (umpire) and also compete regularly - we have rowed at the World Masters games a couple of times and are preparing to compete when they are being held in 2009 in Sydney.

 I have lost touch with many of my old class mates as we all left Kenya and went world wide to different countries.   Whilst reading some of your sites I came across many names and would love to hear from them.   My younger sister Posy also did most of her schooling at Loreto though she spent a few years at the Kenya High.   Our names were Posy and Tina Herbert.   I left school in December 1961 and she left in December 1963.

NEW 24/07/06

Hi there, my name is Elaine Treacy nee Telles. I was in Msongari from 1968 to 1982. (Std 1 right through to Form 6). I would love to get in touch with some of my old classmates and possibly teachers? My e-mail address is: elaine_treacy@hotmail.com

Bridget Walton (Doenhoff) Lumbwa & Msongari 1951 has been in touch from South Africa wishing everyone a great reunion and love to all those who remember her. waltonrb@global.co.za

Photographs now posted here!

NEW 28/06/06

I was more than delighted to stumble over your website, I shed a little tear and now I don't know what to say . My name is Beata Madra ( now Petit). I was  at the Loreto Convent Valley Road 1972-1979. Some of my best friends at the time were : the Brazilian Claisa Cordeiro, the fabulous Annette Martyres, the gentle Ricky Beverly ( sorry for the spelling) . There was also Norman , who left for London ( I still got the watch you gave me for my birthday), and many others . I think that I was the first Polish girl studying at Loreto Valley Road at that moment. After leaving Nairobi, my family and I, went back to Poland. I finished my studies there and now I am living in France, happily married, with two fantastic sons of 9 and 11. If ever you come across this message  send me a word . I will never forget my life Kenya .  b.petit@sepr.edu

NEW 10/05/06
Elizabeth McDougall (Goofy Thornton as was!)  writes:

Many, many thanks for your invitation to attend the LOGS Reunion lunch in May.   Alas, my husband has been ill recently and as he is 85 I do not like to leave him alone for any length of time.  I would have loved to come and maybe see someone I knew all those years ago, but will not be able to make it this time.

It may interest you to know that I am shortly going to publish a novel on the web, based in Kenya in the 1940's/50's and with the Valley Road Convent playing a part in the story!   I have not yet quite finished the editing etc. but when I eventually get it on the Internet I will send you a web site that you can check out.

Look forward to receiving that - Good Luck!

NEW 06/05/06

My name is Patricia Parrington and I was at Loreto, Eldoret from the late '50's to 1964.  I am married and living here in Cobh, Co. Cork, Ireland since 1970 with my husband Frank O'Brien, we have two sons and two daughters, three are married and youngest son still at college, we have been blessed with three grandsons and one granddaughter, aged from six years down to one.

 
I would love to hear from any of my old school mates. parringtonobrien@yahoo.ie
  

NEW 27/04/06

Hello ,my name is Mwelwa Kafumukache Musunsa and 34 years old now. My sister Jill and I schooled at Loreto Mombassa Convent from 1974 to 1979.We were the only pupils from Zambia then, so I’m sure it is not difficult to remember us. My Dad  worked as Company Secretary for a Corporation then called East and Southern African Shipping Line.(The Company was owned by Malawi,Uganda,Zambia,Tanzania).We lived in Nyali.

My Class mates used to call me Wawa. We never seem to forget the elite students and high class teaching that we were once offered there . We used the Standards of Loreto as an ideal for the schools we later went to .

I hear an inner voice telling me to visit Loreto again…..

I live in Russia –Ryazan and i am in my final year studying Telecommunications Engineering at the Ryazan State Radio Engineering University. In Zambia I work for a Hydro power Company.

 

NEW 27/04/06

Jacqui Canning-Dale tembo@inbox.com has been in touch:

I was at Mombasa Loreto from1960-64, prior to that I was at Mombasa Primary School. My brother Ian Dale also went to the primary school and then on to the Duke of York. I have been strolling down memory lane on the website, I dare not check my phone bill!
I have been in touch with some people, notable Ornella Rabbiosi and more recently a couple of emails with Pat A'Court - some very mind bending photographs. Suddenly seeing school pals leap off the screen knowing they are 60 because I am!
I noticed an entry for Valery Said, I was at school with her in Mombasa and remember her well.
I have been back to Mombasa several times. It is still home and always will be. Much has changed but we live in a changed world. I keep in contact with Sister Breid, who gives me strength from day to day.
I am currently finishing a teaching contract in Indonesia - end in June. Then I shall go and spend some well earned R&R with my daughter in Perth.
I shall keep browsing around your website and try to contact some people. By the way I wrote twice to the Irene Rybiciki address but both times it bounced back. (Irene, please let me have your new email address)

Annette Franklin writes: I was at both Eldoret in 1968 and Msongari in 1969. My family was only in Kenya for a couple of years in Eldoret and then they moved to Nigeria. I returned to England when I was 19 and am now a police officer living in Maidstone, Kent with my partner of 10 years.

I have some photographs that I took in Msongari which include ones of Lillian Pavilides, Celia Stocker, Catherine Blunt, Sally Van Aardt, Anna Ktowitch and Liz Melsen. I'm not sure of those spellings! I also have ones of people I only know by their first names, Nancy, Rosie, Mary Jo, Anne, Zanda, Sally, Belinda, Myra, Magda, Tina, Jane, Shane, Cat and Michelle. I wonder if anyone can put the proper names to the faces!!
 
If it would be of any interest I will send some by e-mail. (I look forward to receiving the photos Annette!)
 
It's lovely to see the pictures of the school. I am on holiday in Kenya in September 06 and will try to get up there and have a look at the place. netty.franklin@blueyonder.co.uk

NEW 27/04/06

Mary-Jean Brill (Eldoret LOG 1956-1963) writes: Thank you for the invite to the re-union.  Sadly I will be unable to attend as I am only leaving Australia on 16 May and will be in London at the end of May!!  My apologies - and especially to the Eldoret table.  I have a coloured photo of the Form 4 class of that year 1963(photo) and have managed to find where four of the class are!  

 I am unable to send a picture of Sr Pauline Boase and I which my husband took when we visited Mwanza, Tanzania in April last year.   I found my visit to Mwanza very emotional as I spent my many years in the Mwanza area.  I also, very co-incidentally, ran into another old family friend  in Mwanza
and RMS Victoria which I used to travel on around Lake Victoria to get to school, was in dry dock across the water from our hotel! We had an amazing
four weeks in Tanzania.

For the record, the website and the reunion - Sr Pauline's Jubilee Swimming Pool Fund is growing however I know that any donations large or small will be very gratefully received.  The Sisters began the school nine years ago with a broken down old parish building on the block of land.  Today there are some fine school buildings and lovely gardens.  Sr Pauline acknowledged that the cuttings all came from Mrs Gaetje's garden near Mwanza - mother of Heidi, Karin, Hedda and Ange all LOGs of Eldoret and Msongari.  The Sisters had thought they would be lucky to reach Form 4 with the girls when
they first began  in Nyakato however now in true Loreto style they have exceeded expectations and will in all probability be providing education to Form 6.

Patricia Ince (nee Warde) has written with an update you on her news.  I am now remarried and living in Canada, about thirty miles outside Regina the Capital of Saskatchewan.  I have been married to a Doctor Lewis Draper for the last two and a half years and am very happy.  I do miss my family back in the UK but am fortunate enough to be able to fly back a couple of time a year to visit them and my Mum, who is still very well at 90 and living in my house and doing a very good job as my house sitter, secretary and accountant. 

I can't tell you what a joy it was to find your website! I spent a few years at the convent , grade 7 through form 2. My name then was Kelli Burritt. I am an American, my father was with the American embassy. I have such fond memories of my time at the convent. I do not remember many last names, but I am looking for anyone remembering me - Njeri, Daisey, Francesca Dicaro, Sabina Mastropietro, panyiota Soliminides, Oriele, I remember many hours swimming, playing netball, the Sound of Music play and hiding from Sister Pauline. And sneaking to the boys school next door to flirt with Eric Govani, who had a younger sister at the convent named Sophie. athanasas@comcast.net

Shannon Charlton (nee Close) charltonshannon@yahoo.co.uk Msongari 1961 has been in touch and writes: Have only just been told about the website and when I went on to it saw to my amazement two people who had been looking for me.  One was Ann Bradford (nee Holmes).   We managed to link up about two years ago in Cape Town and discovered that we had been living about 20km from each other for about three years.  She got hold of me through Antoinette Brooke (nee Wilcock) who saw her query on the website, sent it on to me and I then contacted Ann.  We also managed to see Mervyn Pain that was, who also used to live in RSA and was visiting.  What fun we had one Sunday lunch remembering the old days.

 
I Left Msongari in 1961 having done Higher Cert.  Did a secretarial course in Cambridge, returned to Kenya for a year and then went to Bristol University 1963-66.  Went back to Kenya.  Got married, had a son and then got divorced.  Moved to Johannesburg in 1976.  Met up with quite a few Kenya people there including Monica Childe (Langridge).  Went back to Kenya in 1991 until 1993.  Had a ball and saw lots of old friends but could not get a work permit, so returned to RSA this time to Durban.  Again met up with quite a few ex Kenyans.  Moved to Cape Town in 1997 to take up a long cherished job to work in wildlife conservation.  Job went pear last year.  So have now moved to the UK. Now staying with my son, aged 34, in Newcastle while I job hunt.  All a bit daunting and my first winter has been cold. 
 
It has been quite hard over the years to bring up a son alone but somehow kept the show on the road.  Had lots of fun, thought about getting married again once or twice, but was a little bit gun shy after the first attempt, so I remain a spinster of this parish!! 
 
Would love to hear from any old Msongari old girls.  I was there 1951-61.  Particularly those mates towards the end - Pauline Douglas, Dawn Piercy (Stanley), Sheena Bell, Liz Garlick, Virginia O'Shea (O'Brian), Louise Sjernsward, Sue Herne, etc, as well as news of old Limura, Boma, Princo and Duko people of same vintage particularly the tennis and hocky playing lot.  Anyone remember Robin Sinclair (Princo) and what happened to him?  Or Kevin Grace and Keith McAdam.  Saw Nina Buchholz in Durbam.
 
After all my travels, and all the places I have lived, still maintain that there are no people quite like Kenya people.  Still remain passionate about the bush and wildlife.  My hobby is birdwatching, so anyone out there who is also a nutty birder .......
 

Sian (Hopkins) MacLeod writes: I have just found your old girl website. I was at Loreto convent Valley Road ' 67 to ' 74 when we returned to England. My best friends were Helen Spyropoulos and Eileen Daly. We had so much fun and I cried for weeks when we returned to England. We lived in Kikuyu where my father was a teacher at Thogoto College and my mother was a teacher in standard 5 at Valley Road (Mrs Joyce Hopkins). My sister Elaine was 2 years above me. I would love to contact Eileen and Helen and anyone who was in my year at school. One day I would love to return. At the moment I am living in Portsmouth .I have 2 boys aged 10 and 6 and am married to Duncan who can now speak 2 words in swahilli.  sian.macleod@btopenworld.com

NEW 01/03/06

My name is Myrtle Bennett and I was at Msongari, Nairobi round about 1953.
I now live in Holland. Would love to hear from anyone that remembers me.
pyramid@wishmail.net

NEW 01/03/06

Hi, My name is Barbara Lester I attended loreto Convent, Mombasa from 1954 till July 1958. I still have my school reports. We lived in and around Mombasa for 5 & 1/2 years while my dad was a Civil Engineer on constructing deep water berths at Kilindini Harbour. I have a few quite vivid memories of my time at Loreto. One being very jealous of the older girls being able to ring the Angelous at midday & counting the rings to check if they rang to few or too many. I also remember having to go to school on saturday mornings. I made my 1st Communion at the Cathedral across the road. My sister was Baptised there. I still have all my school reports. I have many memories, some related to school & others just general to our tine in Mombasa.

I now live in Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia barb_lester2002@yahoo.com

NEW 01/03/06

I was thrilled to find your website.  I was at LCVR from 1978 to 1981 and
then at Msongari for A-Levels until 1983.  I now live in London and have
unfortunately, lost touch with most of my classmates from that time.  I
would love to hear from any old girls from that time who come across this
site. Ushma Tank ushmatank99@hotmail.com

I have just found this site and thought I would contact you with my e mail address in case there are any old LOGs nearby or visiting my area. My name is Mary Boyce ( nee Woodhouse) I was at Loreto Convent Msongari from 1947-1956. I left Kenya in 1961 and in 1966 I went to NZ. Then came to Australia in 1979. I have received LOG news via my cousin Sandie Pelling and hope to attend a LOG reunion in Australia. I just missed one in Perth as I had a friend from Kenya visiting at that time. I have been in contact with Anita Kelly (Woolland) and will now contact her again if her email address is still current. I live at Rainbow Beach. QLD. which is about a three hour drive north of Brisbane, just off the bottom end of Fraser Island which most people visit on trips to Oz.My e mail address is les-mary@bigpond.net.au 

NEW 07/10/05

News has been received from Sister Germaine who is in Kinnoull Scotland at present and enjoying being there.  She also sent news of Margarita who is based in Loreto Abbey Dalkey, Co Dublin.  She has been there for some time now.  Her sight is not good, but friends take her for little outings now and again.  Last I heard she was in Good form.

NEW 07/10/05

Nisha Guram (Bains) . I was at Msongari from 1974 to 1979, form 1 to 6  .I  live in Texas and would love to hear from locs  in the U.S, and classmates too. nguram@aol.com

NEW 07/10/05

Susan Kaufman (Howell) Msongari 1967-1971 (Form I) writes:

The LOG website is fantastic and I enjoyed going through and recognizing names of girls that I knew during my years at Msongari.  I was a boarder and I was in the same class as Pamela Hough, Anne Mitchell, Mary Karanja and Avril Nazareth.  I apologize but I am bad with names let alone surnames.  I lived with my Aunt and Uncle, who raised me, and we lived about 16 miles outside of Mwanza, Tanzania where I now understand there is another Loreto Convent.   I enjoyed my years at Msongari and unfortunately had to leave after my Uncle suffered his third heart attack and we returned home to Barbados in the Caribbean.  I finished my high school education in Barbados and then being that I am American Citizen I decided to return to good old USA.  I am now living outside of Washington, DC in Gainesville, Virginia with my husband.  We have a grown daughter and two beautiful grandsons.  I would love to share memories with anyone, my years in Africa were great and I still hope to return one day for a visit.  Does anyone know what happened to Sister Maureen?  Our nurse, I can't remember her name but she had a nickname for each of us. Has anyone heard from Caroline Seifert?  Not sure that I spelt her last name correctly she had two other sisters at Msongari also, and they were German.  Also Fuzzy Mustafa, she also lived in Mwanza but was about fours years ahead of me.  I remember the twins Gay and Mary. I thoroughly enjoyed the pictures on the website of Msongari, still the same, so many beautiful memories!  Email: MerlinKauf@aol.com

NEW 25/08/05

Dave Lichtenstein has been in contact and writes -  Last year during my return back “home” I visited a number of schools – including Loreto, Eldoret and Msongari.  The former is no longer a school but as can be seen from the two photos that I attach the place seems to be in good nick.   Likewise Msongari which still functions as a school.   I have an interest in all schools and have for the past five years organised an All East African Schools’ picnic here in Sydney at the Lane Cove River Park.   It is held in the third Sunday of October and we get a very good turn-out including many Loreto “girls”.

Dave - thanks so much for the photos - fantastic!  Click here for photos

 

NEW 25/08/05

Cynthia Atkinson (nee Tennent) cynthia.atkinson@earthlink.net writes - I came across the Loreto Website today, and was amazed that I recall so many names.  I attended Arusha School in the late 1950's and my yournger sister, Monica, and I attended Loreto Msongari as boarders from approx 1962-1964 inclusive - Mother Francis Stanilaus was Mother Superior then.  My Maiden Name was Tennent, and my 3 brothers attended St. Mary's.  We moved to South Africa in 1965, and my husband, daughter, and I moved to California in 1983.  I now work for a travel company promoting tourism to Africa.  If anyone remembers me and would like to keep in touch, I'd like to hear from them.  I wonder what became of Christine Boulter.

NEW 10/08/05

Here is a photo of Sue Davenport and me last month in Montevideo, Uruguay, where I now live.  Sue lives in Switzerland and popped over from a meeting in Argentina. We are both Msongari logs (O lever year 1970)
Paola (Fornari) paolah@netgate.com.uy


  Click image for larger photo

Thanks for the photo Paola - you both look great and the food looks delicious!  Up to Covent standards I hope!
Please let me have photographs for the site!

NEW 10/08/05

I have just found the website for the old girls!!  I cannot believe it.  I was Angela Black colang9@ntlworld.com and I left the convent in 1962 when my parents left Uganda and went to live in Scotland.  I live in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire.  I am married  to Colin and I have three step-children (aged between 39 and 45) and four grandchildren.  I retired a few years ago and thoroughly enjoy being a "lady of leisure" and like so many cannot imagine how I had time to go to work.  I have done nothing except grin since I found the website.  The memories keep flooding back.  

What happened to Mother Margarita?  

 

NEW 06/07/05

Hamjambo!
My name is Detta vanAardt.  My family were from Eldoret and I attended  Loreto, first in "64" and then Valley Rd, Msongari and finally Mombasa,  between 1949 to 1955, when I was sent to England.
My best friend in Mombasa was Josie Wylie.  We lost touch after I went to UK.  Last year as I was deleting spam from my mail box one 'unknown' got away and was open in the pain as the window reappeared.
It began:  " Dear Detta. Do you remember Josie Wylie at the Loreto
Convent Mombasa?  I stumbled upon your website while looking at sites about Trinidad and remembered she had a friend called vanAardt;"   It was from Chris her brother who was in my brother's class in the Mombasa Primary!
My sister Evelyn (Msongari ) lives in Devon and I visited with her at  Christmas, so of course Josie and I were able to meet.   She still looked the same -for the most part!- and it felt like we had never been separated!   It was a wonderful experience.  Very fortunately she was able to visit me here in Trinidad a few weeks ago, breaking a trip she and her husband were making to Barbados.  We talked a lot about class mated and the ones we should like to find, particularly Jai Chopra and Marilva Scarzella.  I should like, also,  to trace Dorothy duPlessis from Msongari.
detta@tstt.net.tt

NEW 06/07/05

Carolyn Powell writes: I went to Valley Rd between 1966 and 1969 aged 9-13

My father was seconded to the Kenyan Army and we lived, for the most part, out on the Thika Rd.  I remember coming to school in an Army landrover most days.  I have very good memories of Mrs Sickmuller, she was my favourite teacher, very strict but fair.  I do remember the shock of having the back of my legs slapped with a ruler when I couldn't grasp the answer to a maths problem.  Still have trouble with numbers!!  I don't remember much about lessons, except history and being useless at sports. I remember ballet lessons in the assembly room and singing classes (Cherry Ripe, cherry ripe!!) and doing weekly Bible playlets.  Book fairs and the smell of polished floors. I remember becoming friendly with a girl who gave me two baby rabbits and my horror at accidentally killing a white mouse.
 
Now I live in Nottingham with my husband, two dogs and two cats. I have a grown-up son and he and his wife have a little girl.  Just to show how small the world is one of my work colleagues also worked in Kenya and his two daughters went to Msongari I believe, surname Fenton.
CarolynM@emd.org.uk

NEW 06/07/05

my name is Hendrica Ntabo, and i left Msongari in 1996 after sitting for K.C.S.E. i am now in Sydney Australia just finished my undergrauate studies in information technology.  I miss everything about Msongari.  The teachers, especially Mr Lubega,  Does anyone know anything about him - that guy deserves prize he is the reason why am here. kudos wherever you are. anyone who cleared in 1996 and wanna keep in touch please do so my email address is h_moraa@yahoo.com.... miss mso big time...

NEW 06/07/05

My name is Kavita Mistry(Patel when in school) and I was at Loreto Convent Msongari,Nairobi from 1978 (Standard 3)to 1983(standard 8) roughly.  My sister, Kalpa Patel was there too at the same time.  The primary school headmistress was Sister Thomas Moore then.  I completed Standard 8 and did one year of Form one under Sister Pauline.  Were you there or would you know anyone who was?  I have recently moved to Sydney from England. (Are there any reunions planned around the Sydney area - please contact Kavita if you know of any!  She would love to join in!)  It would be nice to catch up .  The website as flooded back many fond memories...........Does anyone keep in touch with the teachers?  I remember Mrs Braganza and Mrs Kabuki were favourites.  There were a few D'Souzas as well.  Mrs Pereira was also a favourite.  Before and after Msongari I was at Brookhouse Schools as I can see from the picnic photos there are other East African School 'representatives'!  Any contacts from there?
My e-mail address is:  mjmistry@hotmail.com if anyone remembers me and would
like to get in touch.

NEW 06/07/05

Helen Robertson-Lund (formerly Sweetzer nee LUND) Msongari 1963 - 1968 writes:    It is brilliant to log on to this page and have so many memories of Msongari flood back.  I have read e-mails and seen the names of so many of the boarders in my class but not one of the day- girls !  Are we all so busy with our lives ?!   Among my close friends were Barbara Stephens, Sue Jennings, Sharon Davies, Pam Gatley & Julia Roza. (The nearest to any contact that I have made was to talk to Julie Felix (folk singer) for whom Jon Roza, Julia's brother was a roadie !!).

I have been living the the UK for many years, but in 2006 we are all moving to Australia for good.  Come on guys I can't believe that no-one knows the whereabouts of any of the day-girls.  In particular if anyone has any info about my close friends, please contact me. e-mail heland95@hotmail.com   

NEW 06/07/05

Judy Hofer (nee Smith) class of 63 Msongari has been in touch and would love to hear from any of the Msongari 63 class with whom she is not already in touch with.  Some may recognized her from the photo she says “take 40 years off!!” 

Click image for larger photo

You look fantastic Judy!

NEW (07/04/05)

Just to let you know that I have made contact with Anne Taylor (nee Doyle) she is still living and farming in Kilifi. Her new email address is dtaylor@kilifikenya.com if anyone wants to get in touch.
Best Wishes
Chris Dickenson (Ex Saints)   
 Visit  http://www.kenya-beachrentals.com
 A wonderful place for a holiday.

NEW (07/04/05) Steve Cooper stevecoop15@hotmail.com emailed:

Jambo - I've just come across your website. I was in Nairobi from 1957 - 1973. I was at Saints from 1963 - 1970 (Im a bloke) and thereafter at Coldhams until I left Kenya in 1973.I served in the RAF and am now a Police Officer. I really enjoyed your site with a lot of familiar names (including two ex girlfriends who I will not embarrass by naming!!!) It brought back some good memories and I wish anyone that remembers me all the best. It would be great to hear from any old friends who are more than welcome to E Mail if they wish.

Is that you??  Get in touch with Steve!

NEW (22/03/05)

Barbara Jones (nee’ Roselli).  Loreto Eldoret ’68 – ‘71, Msongari ’72 - 77
I have been living in Perth, Western Australia for the past 14 years.  I married Geoff  (“a fair dinkum Ozzie” – a rare “breed” in Kenya in those days!) shortly after I finished A’ levels at Msongari in 1977 – (incidentally our year saw the last of the boarders at Msongari!  By then we were only about 20 boarders), and have three children Natalie, Stefanie and Andrew. We spent the first 8 years of our marriage living in the Kerio Valley.  It was Paradise.  Career – mostly at home, Secretarial work (Valley Secretarial College Nairobi 19780) on various occasions but mostly an on-going student of anything that interests me, particularly anything to do with art. I keep saying I should do more art  but alas time is always a factor I haven’t quite managed!  I still play at lot of sport – tennis, golf, occasionally squash and in the recent past, hockey. Gave that up as I couldn’t keep up with the 18 year olds!!  I Captained the Msongari team in form V. Absolutely loved the hockey and the games against the Sikh Union every week-end.  It was also a great excuse to get out of school!! Sharon Wreford Smith, Yolanda Fangoudis, Suki Mwendwa,  were some of the girls on the team. I have fond memories of both Eldoret and Msongari, particularly the latter. I made some wonderful friends with whom I still keep in touch by phone or occasionally meet. jonesgm@optusnet.com.au

NEW (22/03/05)

My name is Lydia Anjiah. I was in Loreto,  Valley road from 1970 to 1972. Later, I joined Loreto High School Limuru for my A levels in 1981 to 1982.
I was a House Captain for Samburu House.

I am glad I went through the Loreto schools because of the values that were instilled in me.   I am now working in a training centre in Arusha, Tanzania since 1996.
My younger sister Dorcas also did her O level in Loreto, Limuru.
I hope people who recognise my name will get in touch (anjiahl@yahoo.com)

NEW (22/03/05)

I am Barby van Eyken and found your "blast-from-the-past" website last night.  What a pleasant surprise to find it and then to see a name that I know.  Lucy Sugden was in my class way back, and I have e-mailed her today.
If my memory is right, I would have been at Msongari from about 1968 to 1972/3.  If anyone knows where Linda O'Toole is, please let me know.  She was the pretty, deaf girl who I shall always remember for forever hitting me in the arm and saying "what did she say" - of course referring to what the teacher would have just dictated for our exercise books.  Also, any news about Mrs Harris, she sticks out as my favourite teacher of all time.

I also went to Loreto Convent Eldoret and would love to know about Mother Eldaphonsis (spelling) and Mother Gertrude Mary "Gerty Flerty" as we called her back then.  This would have been in about 1965.  Mother Eldaphonis
helped me with my twin sister, Alison the night she was sick in bed, I had to get her help and would have been about 7 or 8 years old.

I am living in Ontario, Canada with my husband and two girls, and our e-mail is smeath@1000island.net   Please piga e-mail and write to me guys.

I have had another email from Barby who has been in touch with Lucy.  Barby has great memories of Loreto Eldoret.  I think that I shall have to start a memories page.....!  DONE!  Get in there and lets have some of your memories!

NEW (22/03/05)

What a gem of a website. I found a few missing rafiki’s and would love to hear from old friends/classmates from Loreto Msongari, 1980-83. I'm currently residing in the U.S. (College Station, Texas). Please email me, June Martin, at junecmartin2000@yahoo.com.

Great to hear that you have traced some Old Rafikis!

NEW (22/03/05)

MAUREEN GUILLERMIN (CONNELL) Los Angeles, California, USA.  (Eldoret, Valley Road, Msongari 1939-1949)
I moved to London around 1955, got married, had a couple of kids, and then relocated with my husband in Los Angeles in l968.  Am now divorced, am a published writer and teach in the Writers' Extension at UCLA. 
If any of my schoolmates who may remember me from way back in the last century, do please email me at connell4@verizon.net. 
As I'm planning a trip to Sydney at Christmas I'd love to hear from any of you who may live in Australia.

Come on Aussie LOGS - get in touch!

NEW (22/03/05)

I've just found the site too - it's good to see all those names again! I was at Msongari 1956 - 1960 and like one or two others, because my father
was on the staff at the Patch, acted courier. It was good fun, I remember
those days well.
My surname then was Heathcote, now I'm Christine Worrell, and I too would love to talk to anyone who might remember me!
Thanks.
chris.ah@virgin.net

Helene Penney (McGloin) Valley Road 1960-1962 helenepenney@ozemail.com.au

Between 1960 and 1962 my brother Robin, sister Marilyn and I attended Valley Road. We then moved to Jinja, Uganda and Marilyn and I boarded at Msongari while Robin went to St Mary's. We left East Africa and settled in Australia via England.

I went to Loreto Abbey Mary's Mount in Ballarat, Victoria and finished my schooling at Loreto Mandeville Hall, Melbourne.

I now live in Sydney, I have four children and my youngest daughter has just finished her schooling at Loreto Kirribilli.

My mother Lenita Longuet-Higgins went to Eldoret and Msongari.

Suzanne Woodward (Gander) - Loreto Convent Valley Road 1961 to 1970
Run my own company manufacturing herbal products in the UK.  Trained as a medical herbalist.  I am interested in catching up with my classmates and reading their life stories.
e-mail:  suzanne.woodward@btinternet.com  (15/02/05)

LUCY SUGDEN VRONTAMITIS vrontamitis@bol.co.tz

Living in Arusha Tanzania. 

Still married to a Greek - George Vrontamitis - 19 years on 7th February!!

Three boys Kigen Compton 22(from first marriage to Keats Compton of St. Lucia West Indies) Kigen is in his second year studying at Newcastle Un