A group of 10 Nottingham College A Level students have recently returned from a nine‑day educational trip to Kenya, where they volunteered at a local school and immersed themselves in Kenyan culture.
Organised by the college’s Enrichment team in partnership with African Adventures, the visit marked the second time Nottingham College students have travelled to this region of Kenya, following their first volunteering placement at Jubilee Academy in 2024.
Students spent four days helping at the school – from carrying out practical DIY projects, including painting the school’s tables and chairs, and helping to improve the learning spaces, to working closely with the pupils - leading outdoor games and creative jewellery-making and colouring activities.
The volunteering programme concluded with the students preparing and hosting a special graduation lunch, celebrating the achievements of Jubilee Academy pupils and reinforcing the strong bond between the college and the local school community.
For the second part of the trip, students experienced a variety of cultural and educational activities. Excursions included visits to the Great Rift Valley viewpoint and a Rift Valley adventure day safari. The itinerary also featured a hike down Thomson Falls, hands on scientific experiments at the equator, and guided tours of both a tea plantation and a coffee plantation. The group also visited the giraffe centre, learning more about local conservation efforts and wildlife protection.
To help fund the visit, students worked together to raise money through initiatives such as selling handmade crafts and setting up GoFundMe pages.
The trip provided students with invaluable life experiences, developing their confidence, cultural awareness and sense of social responsibility, while strengthening Nottingham College’s ongoing partnership with Jubilee Academy and African Adventures.
Reflecting on the trip, A Level student Kian said: “The experience in Kenya was the greatest. I was unsure about applying in the beginning, but it turned out to be so worth it, especially helping in the school and experiencing the Kenyan culture. I learnt lots of facts about Kenya from the visit and from our amazing African Adventures guide. I wasn’t ready to leave; I wanted to explore Kenya further and help the school we volunteered in more. I would recommend the trip to anyone who has the opportunity to go.”
Nottingham College Student Enrichment Lead, Leanne Anderson, reflected on the success of the return visit: “Coming back to Kenya 15 months later has only deepened my conviction regarding the power of these international programmes. It has been a true privilege to partner with African Adventures once again and to bring a new group of students to a community that holds such a special place for us.”
Personal Development, Liam Perkins, added: “The cultural exchange was once again exceptional, and witnessing our students form such genuine, profound bonds with the children was deeply rewarding. It is a privilege to sustain this partnership, which continues to provide life-changing growth opportunities for our students.”
