Volunteering

In the summer of my 1st year (2017), I endeavoured in volunteering as a Project Worker for Education Partnerships Africa (EPAfrica). After reaching my fundraising target of £2,100, we were set to fly to Kenya on 27th June. Shortly after arriving in our project county of Kisii we were assigned to our schools for 8 weeks to undertake project work. I was volunteering with my fellow project partners (Matt and Nurul) in 2 schools, Buyonge Secondary School and Gakero SDA school. We were based within our rural communities and living in basic but empowering conditions; without running water and limited access to electricity.

Our work involved investing our own fundraised monies into undertaking projects that would improve the school and facilitate learning. A few of our projects involved installing water tanks, gas and water into labs, creating extra library space for independent study and careers days/ murals.

The Figure above highlights how interesting it was geologically to be within the East African Rift Valley! Not far from our village was Tabaka, a town generating an income from the manufacture of soapstone souvenirs from the nearby talc mine deposit. The visit really got me thinking about the geology of the landscape (as if I already wasn’t!) and of what was beneath the characteristic red laterite of beautiful western Kenya. It was not uncommon to see fragments of weathered down talc on the hour-long trek to our schools via a ‘road’. 
Overall, this was an amazing experience for me in all areas of my development. Thanks to Professor Graham Shields for providing me with references to support me with my fundraising.

Related Links:

• UCL, Volunteering