The annual LVI Service trip to Kenya took place over the summer. Ardingly College has a long-standing partnership with Woodard Secondary School in Langalanga and three primary schools. This connection continues to grow each year through shared projects, teaching and cultural exchange.
This year, our projects focused on an agricultural project in two of the primary schools and the building of a new nursery at another school. Alongside this, we continue to fund the lunchbox programme throughout the year at two of the primary schools, ensuring every child has a meal during the school day.
The highlight of this trip has been the people.
One of the students on the trip, Monya, reflected on what a fantastic adventure it was…
“This July, I had the unforgettable opportunity to be part of a service trip to Kenya, where I worked with local schools, supported children from age four all the way up to 16 years old, visited an orphanage and a Restart Centre as well as exploring some of Kenya’s beautiful safaris.
“We stayed at Malewa Bush Ventures, a peaceful camp surrounded by nature. It was my first time camping, and it quickly became one of the highlights- simple, calm, and a beautiful place to come back to after busy days in the community.
“My partner and I planned and delivered lessons in Art and English. Seeing the day‑to‑day experiences of the children and the wider community was so eye‑opening. Their joy, resilience, and warmth stuck with me, especially knowing how little they may have had materially. We also took part in some of the school’s agricultural activities, where students proudly showed us the crops they grow and the projects they’ve been working on.
“As I said in my final speech at an assembly in our last school, ‘The highlight of this trip has been the people.’
“The Kenyan community in every school we visited and even outside on the streets, were incredibly welcoming, open, and kind. Whether it was students greeting me with excitement, teachers sharing stories, or the local people, the warmth I felt everywhere made the experience even more meaningful.
This journey taught me gratitude, cultural awareness, and the importance of connection.
“With the younger students who spoke less English, art and shared activities became our bridge. Even trying to learn Swahili (and mispronouncing half the words) connected us through everyone laughing at me and mutual understanding. The older students brought a different kind of energy, where we could speak about the things we had in common and have deeper conversations about our experiences throughout life.
“During our trip we visited both Soysambu Conservancy and the Masai Mara, where we saw Kenya’s wildlife in its natural environment — lions resting under the trees, giraffes moving across the plains, zebras and wildebeest in huge herds, elephants travelling throughout, and so many other incredible animals. The safari experiences showed us another side of Kenya’s beauty and diversity.
“Looking back, this journey taught me gratitude, cultural awareness, and the importance of connection, not just through language, but through patience, humour, and shared experiences. Kenya’s people, landscapes, and communities left a lasting impact on me, and I’m incredibly thankful for everything we experienced.”
Some of our Kenya Highlights
