Celestielle Charitable Trust proudly sponsored our newest initiative, sending four deserving students and two mentors from Victory Boxing in Nelson on a voyage of discovery and learning to Kenya in April 2024, once again in collaboration with the Great Plains Foundation.

Victory Boxing was set up with the aim of having a positive impact on young kids in the community, teaching them life skills, honesty, respect, determination and caring.  In its first year, the program had 20 children involved.  In 2013 due to the popularity and success of the program ​they now have over 400 children registered​.​

Demonstrating their commitment to giving back, the group worked hard fundraising to support the Pack for a Purpose initiative and contribute to other sustainable community projects in Kenya. During their time in Nairobi, the group had the opportunity to participate in school visits, fostering cultural exchange and bolstering educational initiatives, before heading to the Masai Mara to further their learning on conversation, environment, wildlife, and local communities.

Throughout my time on this trip, it was quite a shock to see how other people live compared to how we live in New Zealand. It made me think twice about how lucky I am to call New Zealand home. 

The people at Mara Plains Camp made a big impact on me.  They were so kind and welcomed us with open arms, even though they were strangers.  In the end, it really felt like I was part of the Mara Plains family - which is an awesome feeling. In fact, it wasn't just the Mara Plains Camp that were friendly, it was everyone who I met on this trip. It was a real honor to be with them. 

My biggest breathtaking moment was when we got to see a Cheetah hunting her dinner.  It made my skin crawl knowing we were next to something that could kill us in an instant, but then again, it was cool to see her run, catch something and eat it!

Macca M.

The trip to Kenya was a fantastic experience that allowed me to view some eye-opening scenes and to do good for the communities over there.

I think it really impacted me and instilled some long lasting values in me, such as being appreciative of the little things in life like drinking water and a home.

It’s been amazing and humbling to see the conditions that some people are accustomed to and to bring this experience back into little old NZ.

Magnus F.

Whenever someone asks me, ‘How was Kenya?’ I don’t quite know what to say. The words that come to mind don’t quite account for the experience, and the photos don’t do it justice either. Emotional? Eye-opening? Fascinating? Life changing? Yes, it was all of those things.

Despite my excitement, about visiting project Elimu, I don’t think anything could have prepared me for how Kibera would impact me. Walking through the streets, seeing shops the size of port-a-loos with large hand painted signs, and homes made of steel sheets and wooden planks, there were multiple times when I felt completely overwhelmed. There was so much going on, we were in a place so starkly different from our own.

Working closely with Project Elimu and a local school, I was given some insight into what life in Kibera was like. It was common, living from day-to-day, unsure where the next meal was to come from; streets barely wide enough for us to walk through with our back packs, and yet the kids were still smiling. Mike, the leader of Project Elimu, was generous and kind enough to gift Awatini, Karen and I, shoes. Despite having next to nothing, the people in Kibera still welcomed us with generosity.

I have always been interested in going into humanitarian or charity work after highschool. Visiting Kibera has reinforced that interest of mine. I understand now, what a privileged position I come from, and I hope to work in a field that helps others out of the life of poverty and towards a life where they can achieve to their fullest potential, without being limited to circumstances that are out of their control.

I will always look back on this trip and wish I could return, it is not very often a seventeen year old is given such an unbelievable opportunity like this. I carry bracelets, shoes and other keepsakes of my time in Kenya, and with them the memories of the beautiful country, people and experiences.

Sophie O.

I was surprised at how happy, genuine and joyful people were. I felt so welcomed and enjoyed spending time with so many different people, holding conversations and learning about their upbringings and how they live.

My top memory will be spending time with the children. Visiting the Kibera slums and visiting Project Elimu was life changing. I felt very sad watching their incredible dancing and finding out that due to not having birth certificates they will never be able to travel and share their gift.

The welcome we received at Mara Plains was amazing. I felt so welcomed. It was a huge privilege to go out on game drives, and see a lion or have breakfast next to hippos.

I will forever remember the trip. Eye-opening and life changing. Being able to borrow a camera in camp has made me want to get back into photography. I am so grateful for the experience and have stories to share for the rest of my life.

Awatini