Hi, I’m Ella Robinson, and in July 2026 I’ll be travelling with Purbrook Park School to Kenya to volunteer in local schools. This trip means more to me than just travelling somewhere new – it’s a chance to help children who face challenges I’ve never had to worry about.

I’ve grown up with things that many children around the world don’t have: a loving family, a safe home, food whenever I need it, and people around me who encourage me and make me feel supported. I’ve been fortunate to have teachers who believe in me and parents who are always there, and I know how much that kind of support shapes your life. I don’t take any of that for granted.

Hearing about the schools in Kenya that we’ll be visiting made me realise just how different life can be for children my age and younger. Some learn in overcrowded classrooms, some don’t have enough books or resources, and many face daily hardships that I can barely imagine. Yet they still show up to school with hope and determination. That really stayed with me.

I’m someone who feels things deeply. When people around me are upset or struggling, I pick up on it instantly, and I’ve always wanted to help however I can. I guess you could say I’m a bit of an empath – when I see others hurting or without support, it affects me. The idea of being able to go to Kenya and give my time, kindness, and energy to children who deserve the same chances I’ve had makes this trip feel incredibly important to me.

African Adventures uses around 7% of every volunteer’s trip fee to directly support the schools we visit – improving classrooms, repairing buildings, and providing essential resources – and the rest of our work as volunteers helps build on that progress. We’ll be helping with lessons, supporting teachers, joining in community projects, and even getting involved in physical improvements to the school environment. These are changes that last long after the volunteers leave.

I’m fundraising so I can be part of this work. I want to stand alongside these children, help create safer and happier learning spaces, and show them that people across the world care about them and their future. I know this trip will change me as much as it helps them, and I hope to come home with a deeper understanding of the world, a stronger sense of empathy, and a real commitment to helping others wherever I can.

Every donation, no matter the size, brings me one step closer to being able to take part in this journey. Thank you so much for supporting me. It truly means more than I can explain.

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