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Evaluating the 2022 Humanitarian Trip and looking forward to 2023

General News, Kenya

by ‘For Men To Talk’ founder Luke Newman

Thank you for following my humanitarian trip to Nakuru in Kenya with Derby County Community Trust and African Adventures. It was again a massive success. We were able to achieve the following at West End Academy:

  • Relocated and built new kitchen  
  • Installed sink with running water into the kitchen  
  • Dug out footings, laid floor and began to build new two storey classroom  
  • Painted interior of three classrooms  
  • Built and installed new playground equipment for the school  
  • Donated sports playground equipment  
  • Bought new cups, bowls and spoons for students at lunchtime  
  • Provided the school cook with new cooking utensils  
  • Taught in classrooms, sharing knowledge with teachers  
  • Provided paint and clay, and demonstrated how these can be used with teachers and pupils  
  • Provided teachers packs of stationery for the classroom  
  • Each child received a backpack, full new outfit, pencil case filled with stationery and two cuddly toys
  • Pupils in need of new footwear received shoes or trainers  
  • Visited five children’s homes and provided them with essential food items for the home  
  • Bought ingredients and cooked a meal for pupils, staff and builders  
  • Left behind water colour paints and brushes to support older pupils with skills in preparation for exams
  • Gave sewing threads, needles and material to director for enrichment opportunity for older pupils  
  • Donated a small sample of reading books to keep at school with the prospect of having a school library next year  
  • Discussions held with a minister of education of next steps for the school  
  • Made positive and lasting relationships with the school staff and its pupils
  • I personally shared my book ‘The Mental Health Moles’ about promoting and supporting mental health. 

Here is the story of West End Academy’s kitchen from start to finish.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/bg6ritbV19E

Thanks to a GoFundMe campaign, I took 50 copies of The Mental Health Moles with me. Here are some photos, as well as two Kenyan schoolchildren reading the book and understanding mental health a little more.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/o0c6gDP21KI

I will be returning in May 2023 for my eighth trip and have to raise over £2500. Every volunteer has to raise that amount to cover costs such as flights and accommodation, but also for the equipment and supplies whilst we are there. A portion also goes to the disability programme at Derby County Community Trust. To donate, please visit https://www.justgiving.com/NewmanLucas2023

If you are interested in volunteering in 2023, please visit: https://www.derbycountycommunitytrust.com/fundraising-and-events/rams-kenya