Tom Barrett posted on December 15, 2011 10:12
23 Saints fans have recently returned from the inaugural Saints Foundation expedition to Kenya, where they spent 10 days working with disadvantage young people, working in schools, renovating buildings for what was an incredible life experience for all those involved.
The participants returned full of stories and memories ready to share their amazing experiences as they took on building, painting and renovation projects, making great friendships with their fellow participants as well as those at the schools and projects themselves.
Fans had been fundraising for the past 11 months to support the trip costs and also raise funds for the Saints Foundation disability programme based in Southampton and the surrounding area. As well as the time spent working within community projects in developing areas of Kenya, the trip also included a Kenya Safari and a visit to the Equator. Trip participant Matthew Davis commented on his experience; “I could never have imagined just how much this trip would end up meaning to me. I feel so privileged to have worked so closely with the people of Nakuru and to have made such good friends as those I travelled with.”
“I will forever look back on the trip with fond memories and hope that the experience will lead me to return to Nakuru in the near future and carry on the great work that we started. Thank you to all involved in making the trip so special.”
Trip participant Katheryn Foley also expressed her experiences; “I couldn’t have wished to spend the trip with a better group of people. As a group we went to Africa as strangers and came back as a family having shared unforgettable experiences.”
“When I signed up to go to Kenya with the Saints Foundation I didn’t expect to achieve as much as I did. I thought I’d just help out in the classroom, but I ended up building one!!”
Participants handed out 150 Saints t-shirts and 200 Saints Footballs courtesy of the Saints Foundation which were well received by the local children. Plans are already underway for the next Kenyan Adventure in 2012, if you would like to register your interest contact sdavies@saintsfc.co.uk
The expedition is just one of the many projects delivered by the Saints Foundation with the sole objective to make a difference and support disadvantage young people and vulnerable adults both home and abroad.
