The children of Turkana exuded infectious joy, whether they were lolling in mum's lap, or herding the family's livestock.

In my week off the grid at Lake Turkana, I came across many of the same children daily...in school, delighted over new pencils...fishing at the lake...running over the dry plains with friends or with a rubber tyre.

Most impressive were the little boys who did men's jobs, herding goats, donkeys and caravans of camels.

The little girls too started young, expertly balancing water containers on their heads, taking great pride in imitating their sisters.

It was one of the best weeks of my life.