During the summer holidays another very successful Service Trip to Kenya took place, this time led by Dr Louise Taylor. A group of twenty five Lower Sixth students camped in Kenya’s famous Rift Valley, while working at two local primary schools. The students spent a week teaching children at both Ndogo and Mwega primary schools, while also working on maintenance projects such as painting and fencing. They also supported two local children’s homes: Saidia Children’s Home and The Restart Centre, spending two enjoyable afternoons getting to know the children, as well as donating much needed clothing, shoes, books and games.
Exploring More of Kenya
Following this, the group embarked on a short safari trip where they watched the sun rise over The Mara plains, witnessed elephants crossing the road in front of them and enjoyed spotting sleeping lions in the grass. On the first night the whole camp was awoken at 3am to the trumpeting and rumbling of elephants (it was mating season, apparently) and a single lion’s roar – he’d probably had enough of the noise!
Fundraising
The Kenya team concluded the trip by revisiting Ndogo and Mwega primary schools to take part in two emotional farewell ceremonies which involved a lot of singing, dancing and laughing. Over the course of last year, Ardingly students were tasked with raising £500 each which funded the Lunchbox Scheme in both these schools. This scheme provides much needed food for the local children, giving them regular nutrition, but also encouraging them to attend school.
All those that took part in the trip said they had a wonderful time – whether it was rolling around in the grass with the children at breaktimes, sitting down next to a friend at mealtime back at camp, or catching a teacher out during a (friendly …) game of rounders. I think the memories of this trip will last a lifetime; ‘asante sana’ to all those that took part!
The History of this Partnership
These annual Service Trips are an important part of the longstanding support that the College provides to the Langalanga Trust, which was founded by Old Ardinian Colonel Henry Vialou Clark MBE in the 1970s to build schools and fund scholarships for young Kenyans living in economically challenging conditions. Throughout the year, the College fundraises to support the three schools in Kenya founded by the Trust (two primary schools, Ndogo and Mwega, as well as the Woodard Langalanga Secondary School) and every summer a group of Ardingly students and staff visit Kenya to work at these schools.
