Kenya has forever been engraved in me and changed my perspective on life. The people, the culture, the food, the way of living: my eyes have been opened to a wider world. The service we all received was above and beyond - a blessing to us all. We saw how the rich live, to the poorest of the poor. And I got a taste of how both work and life are going to make me more open-minded and grateful for what I have now.

I will forever cherish and remember everyone I have connected with on this trip. Knowing I have lifelong friends on the other side of the world makes the world seem so much smaller than I used to think it was.

The fact I saw the Big Five will be the biggest thing I’ll remember.

A massive thank you to Celestielle for making this happen. I will forever remember and cherish these lovely memories.

Lizzy

One of the most unforgettable experiences of my trip was the incredible adventures in the Savanna - where I had the chance to witness the beautiful wildlife of Africa, firsthand. From seeing the Big Five - to spotting zebras, warthogs, hippopotamuses, hyenas, and various species of antelopes - I was constantly in awe of the vibrant wildlife that calls Kenya home. These moments, so different from what I’m accustomed to in New Zealand, were truly magical.

However, my time in Kenya was not just about experiencing the wonders of nature. It was about connecting with the culture and people. When I first arrived in Nairobi, Kenya’s capital, I was struck by the sheer scale of the city, with a population similar to that of New Zealand. I had come with the idea that Kenya would be a place of scarcity, but nothing could have prepared me for the reality of seeing the daily struggles that many people face. The resilience of the people I met, despite these hardships, was a humbling experience that I will never forget. This trip has sparked a deep commitment to spreading awareness of the importance of cultural responsiveness and travel.

Traveling to Kenya was not only an eye-opening adventure but also a reminder of how much we can learn from each other when we step outside our comfort zones and embrace new cultures.

Jel-C

I've seen a lot through screens, but nothing compares to experiencing Kenya in person. Reading about life there didn't prepare me for what I saw. I truly learned the meaning of not taking things for granted.

Here are four key experiences from my journey:

1. Seeing the many lives of Kenyans who go through hardship throughout their daily life, and the amount of people who need shelter but use the streets as their own home.

2. The feeling of happiness we were able to experience from our Kenyan family as they show their hospitality and generosity towards us.

3. I learnt that the difficulties that Kenyan people experience is beyond comprehension. We came to understand what young women go through whilst wanting a simple life, away from the old ways of Kenyan traditions.

4. Aside from this, we also progressively built good relationships with those we met along our journey. We got to bond with, and help, many kids. We experienced wonderful Kenyan music - which was an absolute treat for us. We came back to our home knowing we left a family there to come back to. Life is not easy or fair, but our brothers and sisters in Kenya continue to stay strong and do their best.

We made a small difference in Nairobi, but to the people there, it meant so much more. I now have hope that future generations will continue to create positive change, not just in Kenya, but around the world.

Joy-C