One of the primary jobs of photography is to document everyday life for reference in the future, and the photograph’s ability to recall memories, some buried under a lifetime of experiences, is one of its true powers. We all remember a time in our lives when school was our world. I had come to be at the school while accompanying my partner Dr. Wambui Mwangi, a former Valley Road student, on a visit to an important part of her past. The LCVR photos posted online triggered good memories in many people, some of whom sent comments about their reminiscences.
In response to these comments I am posting more LCVR images. As I was preparing the images, I was struck by the backpacks in hallways, books on tables, and hallways empty of students, all busy in class. As a photographer I am always looking for views and angles that give a sense of a place, the proximity of elements, how the light defines or accents its features. I look for places that feel like they have history. In this series, the photo of the base of a spiral staircase struck me as one of those places that someone would have marked as their own via a memory or experience. The green benches under the trees also seems to hold stories. I hope these images trigger more memories.
Thanks Jerry for sharing these fantastic photos. Looking at the pictures brings back memories so vivid that I can smell the polished desks and hear Sister Maureen’s voice in our CRE class. The bags are sitting on the corridor outside Forms 1 P and 1 plain. I was in Form 1 P and I remember feeling all grown up going into high school and learning all the new rules. Most amazing, to me, are the benches under the trees which bring back the laughter over jokes told by friends, carefree and innocent. Last minute revision before exams, conspiratorial conversations, gossip about the eccentricities of some of our teachers……..I loved LCVR.
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
I HAPPENED TO HAVE BEEN A NEIGHBOUR OF THIS SCHOOL. GOOD LOOKING DISCIPLINED SCHOOL ENVIROMENT THAT IS MINDFULF OF ITS NEIGHBOURS. I WAS STAYING ON 4TH NGONG AVENUE. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK
wow this photos brought a tear to my eyes. I was in form 1p just like Nyambura I remeber our induction by the older gals and how amazing they all looked.
The tenis court and the benches under the trees… is where we sat and practiced for the talent show , ate lunch and had good laughs….
The classroom reminds me of my friends , Bi chege , Miss Rariera . Infact, 2p was right next to the staff room as well as Mrs Akivagas office .We had alot of visits from teachers because of noise …… I really do miss LCVR its one the best institutions I have been to date.
Hmmm – I´m not surprised that Wambui neglected to inform you that before there was LCVR, there was LCM :-).
You need to roam the quads and corridors of Msongari, and then return to LCVR with a context-sharpened lens……….
From The Mother House
(Msongari Alumnus)
WOW!! i hadn’t realized just how much I miss LCVR life!! thanks so much so many memeries of old friends and dramatic escapades (eer the culprits know themselves…) I was in form one plain and I remember Solo the librarian telling us to go home haha!! fun times!!
WOW!! i hadn’t realized just how much I miss LCVR life!! thanks so much so many memories of old friends and dramatic escapades (eer the culprits know themselves…) I was in form one plain and I remember Solo the librarian telling us to go home haha!! fun times!!
Hi Jerry,
Enjoyed the photos and comments. F.Y.I. – Angela Mburi’s comment has been listed twice at the end.
Regards,
Ellen Bell – VCG
Boy dont these bring back memories, Mrs Kiboro and Akivaga. Trios and Quartets attempting to launch their singing career by preforming the national anthem and other songs during assembly. Fun and lively masses, hockey, swimming, the tuck shop, interesting seats in the labs, listening to demonstrations at Uhuru park, tennis, checking nails, hems, sweaters, noisemakers, beautiful aromas from the homescience room, tthe uniforms we detested, he list is endless. Dare I forget to mention the fly Israeli guys who patrol the school like 3 times a day; eye candy mmmmh.
..few peeople, togeeether, it was just a dream until you came alooong, our hearts were open just for yooouuu….
wow! memories memories, lovely ones
it was a good school
class of ’91
Ruth
Wow! Thank you Jerry for the walk down memory lane and for the updated pictures of a school I truly would love to visit again when I venture back to Kenya. Things sure have changed a lot since I was there .. and its nice to see that things only got better. Did they combine the primary school with the secondary school or does one still have to cross the road to get to it? I did all my schooling from Standard 1 right through to Form 4 at Valley Road. Thank you again for sharing these :)
Serina
Graduating class of ’89 (Yikes has it really been 20 years already!!)
hey jerry,
thank you for flooding back these wonderful memories to me! i remember those stairs well when we used to sing every friday and any other available assembly. it was fantastic easy times and i really miss all that. never thought i would. thank you again
The photos bring back beautiful memories, it seems just like it was yesterday (it’s been over five years). Jerry you are definitely right the benches hold a tonne of memories.
Lovely and wonderful memories. LCVR was half my life ago!!! The photos have brought back wonderful memories, joy and laughter. Thanks
Oh what sweet memories!!
oh my goodness i cant believe all those fond memories of years gone by thanks so much for the walk down memory lane.