Guest Post: Monica Antoine

Memories of Helena in Nairobi

Part 1- Helena at the Swedish School in Nairobi
Helena was my pupil during her second and third schoolyear in the Swedish School in Nairobi. For me it seems as if  it was more than two schoolyears though, maybe because we had such a good connection and "understanding" of each other. She was the pupil you dream of having when you decide to become a teacher; always trying to do her best, smiling - and of course, always in a pretty dress.

Monica with her class in Nairobi (Helena-second from left)

With great help from Anne and older pupils this group of children performed the most fantastic plays, such as "De förtrollade prinsessorna" (The Enchated Princesses) where Helena and her best friend Manuela were the two witches. As Anne wrote earlier, all the costumes were made from beautiful materials bought in Biashara Street in Nairobi.

The princes and the witches of The Enchanted Princesses

But it is not only from the school I remember Helena. My husband Jean and I were lucky to have Helena, Cecilia and Annika visiting us many times and once they came in a "luciatåg" (Lucia Train).

Helena, Cecilia, and Annika in a Luciatag

At one occasion "the girls" even spent a couple of nights at our house in Lavington, as Anne and Anders for different reasons were not at home. Then suddenly, the second evening, Helena complained about pain in her stomach and it turned out to be her appendix. What a worrying time it was, as the doctor wanted to operate straight away! But luckily Anders came back the next day and Helenas operation was successful. From that time in Lavington we will also always remember Annika's nickname chuki, which Jean gave her, as we called one of our Jack Russel dogs "Chuki". Now we have a lovely Chuki nr 2, so we are always reminded of the girls. 

Helena at school 

In the years that followed, I only met Helena a couple of times, as she was studing in different places. But one day I learned that Helenas first posting for the EU was going to be in Nairobi. I was very happy about that and was looking forward to seeing her again.

Part 2-Helena working in Nairobi
Helena came to Nairobi full of enthusiasm to work, to look for a house and so on. Jean and I picked her up one Sunday for lunch - now in our home in Karen. We all talked and thought about the time we spent at the Swedish School and all the wonderful other times in Lavington.

Helena found a charming old english-stylied house to move into- again in Lavington. This is not easy these days, as most houses of this type have been pulled down and the plots turned into apartmentblocks, esspecially in Lavington.

Helena and Monica in front of Helena's house in Lavington

Then one morning in September 2009 Helena called me and asked if I could accompany her to Nairobi Hospital for a Colonoscopy test. Of course I could and I was even proud that Helena had asked me! Just like when she was little she spent the night in our home and we had a nice evening in front of the fire. How difficult it was to realise then that in a months time Helena would quickly be off for treatments in Europe.

I will always cherish the memory of Helena as my pupil and also having had the pleasure of knowing her as a successful and beautiful woman.

Helena, Monica, & Cecilia at the school in Nairobi

May 2011
Monica Antoine