Programmes such as Airport had given me an idea of the potential intrusiveness of cameras but I decided to accept. I hoped the programme would be worth viewing and have educational value, even if it meant making a bit of a fool of myself’.

I had to keep a video diary for the first nine months of my placement and a film crew came out and filmed me at the start and end of this period.

Unfortunately, before the first two weeks of filming were out, I was struck down with malaria and amoebic dysentery. Not really the image I wanted to project back home. I had agreed to this series, hoping to flag up some of the issues that affect education in developing countries but all the producer was interested in was shots of me dashing to an outdoor latrine.

It took a while to settle in too. Although I had heard that the first six months of VSO can be tough, looking back I realise most of my video diary contained clips of me socialising with fellow volunteers. Would the producer be more interested in shaky footage of our school assembly or my raucous birthday celebrations in a local bar?

In reality, I only see other volunteers occasionally, as my placement is rural. Most Koyonzo locals are subsistence farmers with small “shambas” (Swahili for vegetable plot or farm). Others grow sugar cane for companies.

I chose this job because the main task was to teach and promote physics in the school. I had five students when I started but I expect around 15 to opt for physics this month. I have also introduced some modern teaching methods and ideas.

The school was only opened five years ago with funds raised by the local community. The pupils are aged 14 to 21. There are just four classrooms and an incomplete laboratory. There is no electricity.

I quickly realised that one thing I could do was to set up a system of looking after science equipment and encourage practical lessons. Class sizes had put teachers off practicals. So it has been rewarding to introduce this to a number of students.

I have been in Kenya for more than 16 months. The TV cameras have gone and I have got used to life here - I expect going home will feel strange! I did feel a bit isolated in my village but have now bought a piki-piki (Swahili for motorbike) and can reach other volunteers within 20 minutes.

I have also been socialising more with colleagues. I think it took a year for them to realise that I was not reporting back to the head on all their activities! It is good to be able to go and have a drink in the local bar after work once in a while although not having electricity means the beer is warm and evenings often end shortly after sunset.

My class (who have national exams next year) are certainly making me think. There are only 10 students but the ability range is incredible which makes teaching a real challenge.

One annoyance last term was that half the class were sent home to bring school fees and so missed vital lessons. My school football team were knocked out in the semi-finals of the district cup but they are looking forward to next season when they will for the first time have boots, donated by Wrexham FC - the team I support back home.

I hope the TV series gives a balanced view of the great insight into another culture that a job like this can give you, along with the day-to-day frustrations that sometimes make you want to throw the towel in. Not receiving post has to be one thing. However petty it sounds, that pretty nearly pushed me to the limit!

I have almost another year out here as I have decided to extend my stay. I am rather glad to be far away and not within earshot of the comments from friends and family as they tune in.

The ITV series VSO: Making a Difference continues on Sunday at 12 noon. Justin Clements qualified as a physics teacher in 1997 and taught for three years at Basseleg school in Newport