Well, yesterday was my birthday and it seems like a poignant time to look back at the last year and take stock. On this date one year ago, I was a trainee lawyer in a city law firm and now, here I am, volunteering for a charity in a remote village in Africa. It has been a volatile, interesting and extremely challenging year but, suffice to say, I am happy. I care immeasurably more about the education and living conditions of the children of Milly and Yamba than I ever could have about a big money transaction in a London law firm. So, what next? Well, it may seem over-idealistic and unrealistic to spend your life only pursuing ventures that you fundamentally believe in, but if that is the case, over-idealistic and unrealistic is what I will always passionately aspire to be! Before, I felt like I was being guided by expectations and obligations and was almost resigning myself to a 'safe career', but now I feel as if I am writing my own story and following my heart - and I think that's really the key to happiness- for me anyway!

I am absolutely gutted to have reached the point at which I have only 3 weeks left in Africa. I have had what I can confidently say have been the best 3 months of my life. I will pretty distraught to leave the children and community that I have grown to love- but I will be leaving a not insignificant part of my heart behind deep in the Usambara mountains. So, in return, what will I be taking with me when I leave my beloved Milly and Yamba? Well, apart from countless photos (I am sure you can imagine!) and unforgettable memories, I hope that I have gained a new perspective on life and on what really matters. Returning to the materialism of the UK will be strange and I hope that I manage to retain the appreciation I have gained of how lucky we are to have education, healthcare, enough food to eat and roofs to cover our heads. People in Milly manage to be so happy and satisfied withough the majority of the luxuries that we take for granted so easily. I read a quote recently and I kind of think that it is true - "The size of our happiness is inversely proportional to the size of our house."

I forgot to mention that there was a huge event a fortnight ago in Milly- a mobile phone mast was erected somewhere in the Usambara mountains and Milly now has a mobile phone signal in a somewhat limited area. For myself personally, it does take away from the 'remote' experience a little and I am keeping my phone off as much as possible. For the people of Milly, however, it really is a huge change in their lives. With no transport system, the only way of communicating with friends or family or conducting business in even the closest village has involved a half day trek, so being able to communicate in this way should reduce some tired limbs! However, it is probably actually going to have little effect to begin with- firstly, because I am not sure where the villagers could even buy a mobile phone! There are no shops and the nearest big town is Tanga which would probably take several days to walk to! I am also unsure as to where the villagers could buy credit or even charge their phones since there is no electricity for miles around. I guess my main concern is how these villagers, who live in extreme poverty, will afford to purchase mobile phones to take advantage of the signal. I am worried that phones will become a status symbol and that people will forsake education and food in order to own one. Watch this space.

I don't have anything new to report from Milly and Yamba really. Teaching is still going well and I am still loving the lifestyle and community spirit.

Thanks to all of you who sent birthday messages, cards and parcels. I had a wonderful day but wished I could have flown home just for the evening to see you all!