Volunteering in Kenya: Hannah’s Trip with Derby County Community Trust

Taking advantage of the support Nielsen McAllister offers to employees around charity work, earlier this year Hannah went volunteering in Kenya. Six months on, she revisits this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

In May, I had the privilege of joining 78 volunteers on a trip to Kenya with Derby County Community Trust’s Rams in Kenya initiative. The week-long experience was everything I hoped it would be, and so much more.

During my time there, I had the chance to fully immerse myself in Kenya’s rich culture, stunning landscapes, and the kindness of its people. This trip not only taught me about the country and its incredible communities but also allowed me to learn a lot about myself and what really matters to me.

My group was assigned to Jubilee Academy, a small school in the town of Nakuru with 52 children in total, aged 3-8. One of the highlights of the whole trip actually occurred the day we arrived when the children welcomed us with a song. It was the most heartwarming and wholesome reception that immediately made the long 9-hour flight worthwhile.

Each day at Jubilee Academy presented new tasks and challenges – both physical and mental. One of our main projects involved digging foundations for a new kitchen and plastering and painting classrooms that had been built by previous volunteer groups.

On my first day at the school, I had the joy of spending the morning with some of the youngest children, aged 3-5. Despite the limited learning resources, their intelligence and enthusiasm were so inspiring. They were particularly fascinated by my pink nail varnish, which brought us all so many smiles.

Midweek, we took a break from our hard work at the school to experience a safari at the Nakuru Nature Reserve. Driving through the breathtaking Kenyan landscape in search of wild animals in their natural habitat was truly unforgettable. Although we didn’t spot any lions –  we were so pleased to catch a glimpse of water buffalo, (lots of) zebras, gazelles, monkeys, and even a huge hippo.

When I initially decided to join this trip, my biggest concern wasn’t the numerous vaccinations, being so far from home or even the long flight – it was figuring out how to raise the funds needed to get there. Thanks to sponsorship from NM, the generous contributions from colleagues, friends, and family, and selling plenty of old clothes on Vinted – I did it!

I am so grateful to work for a company that, when I hesitantly said, “I think I kind of want to do this…”, responded with, “How can we help make this happen?”

If you’re contemplating a humanitarian trip like mine, or even a volunteering day at a local charity, my advice is simple: go for it! Parts of my trip were certainly challenging, and saying goodbye to those amazing children was definitely the toughest part – but the memories made, and the small difference I made in their lives during that short week is priceless.

A heartfelt thank you to everyone who supported my fundraising efforts and donated items for the children. I can safely say that on Donation Day, the children were completely overjoyed with their bags filled with toys, books, and personal care essentials.

I am so grateful for every moment of my trip and to everyone who helped make it possible to go volunteering in Kenya. The plan is to return within the next couple of years and do it all again! But before then, our director Simon’s son Ryan is signed up with Rams in Kenya for 2025. (Feel free to sponsor him!)

Charity days are just one of the perks we offer to our team. Check out our agency life page to learn more about what it’s like to work at Nielsen McAllister.