Each year since 2012 Derby County Community Trust have teamed up with African Adventures to send volunteers to work in schools in the slums of Nakuru, Kenya. In the first year, they were only able to support one school, St Trizah. Since then, their numbers have grown to now be able to support several different schools each trip; Ungana Academy, Cherish, West End Academy and Jubilee.

This will be my 9th visit to Nakuru with DCCT, and my 9th time volunteering at Ungana school. The School is situated in the slum of Kaptembwa, which is one of the worst and most deprived area's in the region. For many of the children, Ungana School is their only respite from the challenges they face each day, and their only hope of a way out of the slum.

Since my first visit, I have seen a huge difference in the school. We have built several permanent classrooms, installed a fully functioning kitchen away from the classrooms, built a perimeter wall to keep the children and school safe, installed guttering and water tanks to collect rain water, and provided teaching support & supplies, clothing, food and sanitary items for both the children and their families.

Every penny raised will not only go towards funding the volunteering, but also buying building materials and helping the school to keep going in our absence. Without our support, Ungana would not be able to carry on, and the local children would lose their only source of education and security.

Any donation, no matter how small, will make a huge difference and will be incredibly gratefully received by these inspirational and humbling people.

Thank you for reading, and thank you for helping me to help make these children's lives that little bit brighter.