A team of determined students from The Wilnecote School has returned from a month-long humanitarian expedition to Kenya, describing the summer as a “once-in-a-lifetime adventure” that has fundamentally changed their view of the world.

Working with Camp International, the students navigated four vastly different environments, from the highlands of the Rift Valley to the Indian Ocean coast. Students were split into three competitive teams—the Lions, the Elephants, and the Rhinos—before tackling a busy schedule of community, conservation, and construction work.

“I’m sure every single person who went has come out a better person, and is so grateful for this whirlwind of an experience,” said participant Oscar. He argued that while the cost might appear high for “mostly manual labour,” the “friends, memories and skills gained were worth far more than any number of pounds or Kenyan shillings.”

Projects: From Murals to Mud Huts

The expedition’s first stop, Rift Valley Adventure camp, provided stunning views of Mount Kenya and was the setting for a rewarding project at a local school. Students dug a flower bed border, painted the exterior, and added colourful murals to the interior walls.

Daisy highlighted the immense satisfaction of the group’s work across all sites: “Seeing the progress of every single project we did was honestly one of the most rewarding moments of my life.”

The final, and most physically demanding, project took place at Muhaka camp, where the teams helped build a house for a local Mama and her son using traditional mud-building techniques. Students also carried out maintenance and gardening work at local schools, painting buildings, weeding, and planting flowers.

Cultural Immersion and Safari Thrills

The trip was a deep dive into Kenyan culture. At the rustic Tsavo camp, set amidst wildlife conservation areas, the students balanced hard work—such as making bricks, de-worming goats, and building elephant deterrents—with incredible cultural exchanges.

Daisy recalled the excitement of meeting locals: “From meeting the incredible Maasai tribe, making bracelets learning Swahili to going on safari and spotting elephants in the wild, every single day was something new and amazing.”

Both students pointed to the wildlife experience as a trip highlight. Oscar described a “blissful moment” in the Tsavo East National Park where they were “surrounded by some of the Big Five as we watched in awe.” The camp’s basic facilities, including colder showers and drop toilets, were quickly forgotten in the face of such natural wonder.

Even the food became an adventure. Daisy confessed, “And the food… wow. Let’s just say my taste buds were on their own adventure!” The students adapted quickly to meals rich in rice, beans, chapatis, stewed meats, and fresh fruits.

Teamwork, Tents, and Mr. McDonald’s Own Goal

Despite the intense volunteering, the students ensured there was plenty of downtime for fun, which was essential for building the lifelong friendships they now cherish. The communal areas, including the first camp’s disco space, became hubs for games.

Daisy noted the lighter moments: “There were endless laughs, amazing evening games, rest days in the beach, swimming at the hotel and even a football match—though we unfortunately lost (shoutout to Mr. McDonald for scoring an own goal!). And I can’t forget the countless rounds of card games, especially the chaotic Crazy 8’s that became one of the groups.”

The students briefly experienced luxury at the Diani Beach Camp—the shortest stop, featuring individual housing and a pool—before staff members found themselves sleeping in tents at Muhaka while the students were in blocks.

The expedition concluded with a final night at Tsavo, where the group exchanged heartfelt letters written to one another throughout the trip.

In a strong message to the school community, Oscar encouraged parents to embrace the opportunity, saying: “Life skills like communication, dedication and awareness of the world around you are vital and all make the world and lives better.”

Daisy concurred: “I learned so much about a different culture, discovered the power of teamwork, built friendships that will last a lifetime, it truly was a trip that changed how I see the world and one I’ll carry with me for the rest of my life.”