Hi! My name is Ava Goldsworthy and I am 15 years old. In the summer of 2026, I plan to embark on a 4 week trip to Kenya with the organisation Camps International who work around the globe to benefit communities and tackle issues such as housing, healthcare and education.

What will I do once I’m there?

During my time in Kenya, I will get involved in a range of projects in rural areas supporting education and community development. By working alongside these communities, I’ll learn about the challenges locals face but also their traditions and the culture of Kenya. Helping out may involve things such as combating the conflict between humans and wildlife, tree planting and animal de-worming which will teach me about sustainable solutions to global and local issues. Not to mention the creation of things such as bead craft that can be sold by locals to provide them a source of income. Later on in my expedition I'll take part in renovating or building houses for a small, rural community.

To break up my hard work, I'll be going on a safari to explore a variety of wildlife including elephants, lions and giraffes and also be taking part in scuba diving to complete my PADI Open Water Scuba Diving Course. Whilst doing this I may see marine life such as turtles and dolphins!

What am I currently doing to raise money for this adventure?

In order to raise the money needed I’ve been selling old things, helping out at events at school, doing jobs around the house and more. On Sunday the 5th of October I went on a 14 mile walk from Ilkley to Grassington to help raise money.

Some inspiration for going on this trip has come from my older brother who went on a similar expedition in 2022. He told me stories from his expedition and how he felt he had not only benefited rural communities but also been on a once in a lifetime trip that he’ll forever think about. This sparked an interest in me to do something similar and I’m incredibly excited to go to Kenya.

Thank you for reading and thanks for any donations.