The first few trips of the year to Kenya and Ghana have been full of volunteer engagement and very successful project work. The first group of 20 set off from Ely College in February to volunteer at Jubilee Academy and Ungana Academy in Nakuru, where they helped to build a new classroom at Jubilee Academy and continue renovations at Ungana Academy. A huge amount of work was achieved in a week and the students set a great example to others, as it was the first African Adventures college trip of the year.
“I would like to take the time to thank you for making my volunteering trip so amazing and something I will never forget. It was my first time in Africa and I thank you for making sure that it will definitely not be my last!” Eve Bannister, volunteers with Ely College
Ely College were shortly followed by Dromore High School, our first school expedition group from Northern Ireland, who volunteered at Chaddy Mission (formerly known as Hadassah), Mama Kerry and Ronaken projects. The group were full of enthusiasm for working hard and immersed themselves into the community way of life very well. A new classroom was built at Chaddy Mission and Mama Kerry and a temporary fence constructed at Ronaken. The volunteers enjoyed teaching at all three projects.
“Truly amazing, thought-provoking and character adjusting.” Sarah Duff, volunteer with Dromore High School
Two individual volunteers, Stuart Bates and Aaron Garvey, joined Dromore High School in Kenya and immensely enjoyed their time teaching and coaching sports at The Walk Centre and assisting with the building and renovation works at Chaddy Mission School.
In the last week our annual trip with University of Southampton PGCE students took place, where a team of 32 trainee teachers embarked on a trip of a lifetime to Kenya’s Rift Valley. The group had a very rewarding and enjoyable trip teaching at Mercy Njeri, Kiamunyi High School, The Walk Centre and Ungana Academy.
“Amazing, eye-opening and life-changing.” Anne Hughes, PGCE volunteer with University of Southampton
During the Easter holiday, 21 students and teachers from Pate’s Grammar School and a group of 27 scouts and scout leaders from Staffordshire Scouts have been working hard in Ghana. Our Pate’s volunteers helped start the construction of a new perimeter wall at Woe E.P and made good progress on the boys’ urinal at Rema Abutia. Staffordshire Scouts continued with the construction of the ground floor walls, of the new two-storey classroom build, at Dedzidi Community Complex School. The group also got stuck into laying a new classroom floor for the kindergarten classroom at Tegbi Primary.
“It was great to spend so much time with the children, playing and having a laugh. We were very chuffed to have finished the toilet block, knowing that they will be useful to the school. All the extra things that were organised for us made the trip even better!” Niamh Payne, volunteer with Pate’s Grammar School
African Adventures is supporting a number of project development goals this year and we are proud that through responsible volunteering, together with our host communities, we are contributing to sustainable change and already making a big difference at our partner projects in Africa!
“Thank you so much to the entire African Adventures team and TYSGI team at the volunteer house for making this the most fantastic trip of a life time. I can’t wait to return and continue the adventure!” Jacqui Pratt, staff traveller with Staffordshire Scouts
