Program Reviews

At the start of the summer 2015 we went on a charitable trip to Nakuru, Kenya, where we had the opportunity to teach in some of Africa’s most impoverished schools. After a long plane ride and a six hour coach journey along some rather bendy and badly paved roads, the group arrived in Nakuru, where they spent the rest of the day getting settled in and enjoying fresh Kenyan food. The highlight of the drive was arguably the chance to look out over the picturesque Rift Valley at a rest stop and take some incredible photographs.

The next morning Mr Alderton and the boys, who were accompanied by a driver stopped into the primary school where they were welcomed by the young pupils (aged 3-7) with an extraordinary song and dance. The school sang praises and thanks to group for coming to help out in their school. The boys continued to help at the primary school for the remainder of the morning where they taught a few classes, helped cook a meal and washed dishes in the kitchen. In the afternoon the Harrow students were taken up to the secondary school where they spent most of the subsequent days teaching classes of students ranging in ages from 10 to 18. The Kenyan children were incredibly appreciative of the help they received from the boys and were very receptive to their conducting of the different classes. As well teaching, the boys took turns in helping to construct new toilet facilities for the school. Before the project, the school had only two very basic toilets for the 70 pupils, and Harrow’s help in building the new bathrooms ensured that the school would not be shut down because of poor facilities. During the lunch hour, the Harrow boys often got to play football with the students. Although the Kenyans had an advantage, as they were very apt to playing on dusty and uneven ground, the Harrow boys still managed to beat their team on a fairly regular basis.

On the weekend the group had the pleasure of visiting the Masai Mara and Serengeti game parks. It was a seven hour drive from Nakuru, though the boys all agreed it was a very worthwhile excursion, as a wide variety of wildlife was seen. Just over the course of two days four of the big five game animals were spotted out on the plains, as well crocodiles, hippos and monkeys near the rivers. At night, the Harrow students stayed in a deluxe encampment and were fed deliciously fresh meals. The boys also had the joy of meeting Masai warriors in their village. While there, they were shown around the native houses and were then allowed to join in the native Masai war dance. Finally, the group was given the chance to purchase some of the handmade jewellery and trinkets made by the men and women from the settlement, before heading back to Nakuru.

In all, the trip was incredibly educational and eye-opening for all the boys who took part. There was a definitive sense of friendship and understanding between the students of both countries. Despite the fact that the Kenyan pupils were often rather impoverished and underprivileged, they were incredibly happy with the little they had, and they enjoyed nothing more than learning in their school. Perhaps their attitude can be a valuable lesson for us all.

I have been to St. Trizah's School in Nakuru, Kenya twice with African Adventures and Derby County Community Trust in 2014 and 2015. I am married and have three children and these trips are up there as the greatest experiences of my life.

My first paragraph from my blog(www.facebook.com/LNEEEAA/) reads "At first I was apprehensive about what to do when the children approached me, this is a new experience for me, at home there are restrictions and limitations on what you can do and rightly so. But in Kenya, they are so happy to see you, they want to feel wanted and loved. So, I cuddled them back, held there hands, gave them high fives, it's what they want, seeing their huge smiles just from that, gives you a warm feeling inside". This sums up my two trips perfectly.

During my time, I have assisted with teaching, help to develop teaching styles and curriculum, help with the feeding programme at the school and constructing new classrooms at the new site of the school ready for their move.

One of my favourite moments is going back for the second time and seeing a boy called James that I met the previous year. Like in a clip from a movie, both of us saw each other and ran at the same time, I picked him up and swung him round, giving him a massive cuddle. He said that he was scared that I wouldn't remember him. I reassured him that I have never or would ever forget him.

I also can not express how much I admire African Adventures on what they have achieved and what they will continue to achieve in the years ahead. If it wasn't for the distance to their headquarters, I would like to work for them full-time. That's how much I believe in African Adventures.

Nakuru is now like my second home and I can't wait to return and continue the work in May 2016.

What makes African Adventures different (and better) than other Learning Outside the Classroom providers which I have used before, is that they cater directly to the individual needs and requests of the 'customer' in their care. When I took my pupils to Ghana, African Adventures accommodated our needs and requests and were very flexible in manipulating the programme to meet the satisfaction levels of the entire team in my care. For once it truly felt that they were providing a service to individuals who were part of a group rather than a mass group following a pre-arranged, mass produced packaged holiday. Based on their ability to provide a first class service with excellent customer care, I will find it difficult to approach a different organisation in order to find a similar service. Based on our successful trip with them, I have planned a similar trip to Ghana this summer as I need to give a different group of pupils that wonderful experience that we all shared that last time we travelled with African Adventures. Well done team African Adventures.

I have had the privilege of leading 2 school trips enabling nearly 100 pupils and staff to make a big difference to 5 schools in Nakuru, Kenya. The whole project is a journey of enterprise and brilliant new experiences that begin when pupils begin fund raising. However don't take my word for it, here are some testimonies from pupils and parents:
'....there are key moments which shape who we are and the way we think. From listening to... and sharing her incredible experience in Kenya I know this is one of hers. It will not necessarily be evident today or possibly even this year but hearing about the way the team pulled together, shared a common goal and touched lives of those less fortunate than themselves will shape and guide decisions and choices in her future years'.
'I will remember this for the rest of my life; beautiful memories that I can keep and look back on forever'.
'I would like to thank all of the teachers and African Adventures staff for this fantastic trip! It was the best thing I have ever done and I loved every minute of it!'
We keep in touch with the schools and because African Adventures have many people on the ground in Nakuru and know first hand what is happening this reassures and inspires all stakeholders.
We will be going back to support the schools, again and again and again. This is sustainable advocacy that bridges the gap between our two countries and gives out staff and pupils a real global perspective.

I have now travelled with African Adventures 5 times and I am planning my 6th trip for July 2016. I cannot recommend this organization enough for the experience they provide. The projects they work with are inspirational and the way the work ensures that they are lead by the projects needs and the communities they service, keeping the experience pure. I have taken 200 staff and students with me on my trips with them and never have we had any problems at all and every volunteer has had a life changing experience. African Adventures are thoughtful and considerate in their approach and provide outstanding support before, during and after the trip.