Brockenhurst College students return to Kenya to make lasting impact through Brock2Kenya volunteering trip

A group of Brockenhurst College students and staff have returned from an inspiring 12 day volunteering trip, where they supported community projects that benefit hundreds of street children and families.

The visit formed part of the College’s Brock-Extra programme, which gives learners the opportunity to take part in international volunteering and leadership experiences.

In total, 24 students and staff travelled to Nakuru, where they visited a partner school and 3 community projects supporting more than 900 children aged between 4 and 17.

The group carried out light maintenance work such as painting buildings, preparing and serving food, and funded water and guttering systems to harvest rainwater. They also donated money to help fund future improvement projects.

Before travelling, the team collected 600kg of donations, including clothing, toys, sanitary products, books, stationery, games and shoes, as well as over 500 toothbrushes and tubes of toothpaste for local children, donated by Brock staff.

Students also took part in classroom activities, delivering lessons in subjects such as first aid, psychology and maths, and spent time playing games and building friendships with local children.

A new project this year saw the group support the Leaders Academy, a nursery and infant school for children aged 3 to 8 years old. Students painted classrooms, served food, led creative activities such as sewing and face painting, and helped deliver lessons.

They also visited three existing partner projects, Little Kings, Silver Bells and Melon Mission, where they contributed to key improvements including a new floor, a water pump system and funding for 10 benches.

Away from project work, students experienced Kenyan culture through a Swahili language lesson, a visit to the Menengai Crater, a safari at Nakuru National Park and a boat trip on Lake Naivash which is the setting for the film, Out of Africa.

Trip leader Adrian Butterworth said:

“I am always astonished by the passion and commitment of our students and what can be achieved in such a short space of time with hard work and dedication. They are a credit to the College.”

Student Alice Cunningham-Smith said:

“The Brock2Kenya trip was truly life changing. Visiting schools in the heart of Nakuru’s poorest areas and seeing the joy and hope in the children’s faces was something I’ll never forget. Experiencing Kenyan culture, wildlife and community opened my eyes to the wider world and taught me so much about resilience, gratitude and confidence. I would recommend this trip to anyone, as while it helps others, it also changes your own life in the most positive way.”

The Brock2Kenya enrichment programme prepares students through biweekly sessions covering project planning, travel information and cultural awareness. Participants also take part in fundraising and donation drives before travelling to Kenya.

The trip gives students the chance to develop confidence, teamwork and empathy while making a meaningful difference to the lives of others.

For more information about enrichment opportunities at Brockenhurst College, visit: Brock-Extra and Clubs & Societies – Brockenhurst College