A RETIRED Prestatyn postman has returned from his latest trip to the school he founded in Africa.

Ron Cavie spent five weeks at St Ronnie’s Academy in the village of Shanzu, a suburb of Mombasa in Kenya.

During his time at St Ronnie’s, children enjoyed a sports day which involved a skipping contest, sack races, three legged races, balancing water on their heads as well as other activities.

Lilly Pendo [the headteacher] and Ron also carried out a visit to the women's prison in Shanzu.

Ron, a father to three grown-up children and grandfather, said: "The highlights of the trip are, as always, arriving and seeing the children again and the sports day. Lily had been to the prison in advance to get permission for us to use the sports field.

Rhyl Journal:

Children enjoyed skipping contests, sack races, three legged races. They started with a cup of water and progressed to the bottles. They put water in the bottle, run back, fill the cup and back and forth. The first one to fill their bottle is the winner.

The bottle on the head is as described, a bottle on the head race. The children run about 100 yard to the finish line.

"When I arrived and as I walked up the lane, a little pupil was looking through the school gate and saw me. He vanished for a few seconds, then took a double take. Suddenly, I could hear all the children shouting 'Ronnie, Ronnie, Ronnie'. It is a great feeling. They nearly knocked me down in the rush - the children were so excited as they were looking forward to seeing all the gifts I had brought from donations which had been given by kind people in North Wales. They were also waiting for the afternoon party with cake, sweets, balloons and juice."

During Ron's visit, the school was painted. The walls of the classrooms were decorated with bright colours.

Speaking about the visit to the women's prison, Ron said: "We were invited to go by the lady prison pastor, who attends the church in Shanzu.,

"I was a little nervous at the thought of it at first as I had no idea what to expect.

Rhyl Journal:

Children hold up the Rhyl Journal! With last year's Easter article

"We went to the shops before our visit to buy biscuits, sweets and juice for the young children.

"If a woman is sentenced, and there is no one to look after her children, they come with her to prison up to the age of four years and then go to foster parents if they are not released.

"I was amazed how clean the prison was. The prisoners sleep in wards, there are buildings with about 15 bunk beds in a ward with a shower, toilet. They have classrooms so young prisoners can have an education, as most of them can't read or write.

"I thought it would be hell on earth but it was far from it."

Rhyl Journal:

Little one competes in the sack race

On his next visit, Ron plans to return to the prison with nappies for the children plus treats.

Ron carries out talks and slide shows on St Ronnie’s Academy. He holds a quiz at Central Beach Club every last Tuesday of the month.