19 Travel to Kenya During Spring Break Service-Learning Trip

4/9/2024

Nineteen Chatham Hall students and faculty spent the duration of the School’s Spring Break, March 16-30, in Kenya, Africa learning about and serving the local community.

During this leadership and community engagement trip facilitated by WorldStrides and Camps International, students experienced life in two localities, Camp Tsavo and Camp Muhaka, while also exploring vast savannas and deserts, beaches, and mountains. The participants worked side-by-side with locals to achieve their service-work goals through various activities and jobs. One day, students visited with a Tumaini women's group and made elephant dung paper and bracelets to be sold at a local market. Another day was spent deworming more than 90 goats in support of local residents and the economy. On several occasions, the students put their minds and muscles to good use painting and building mud houses, bricks, and ramps for families and schools.

“My favorite part of the trip to Kenya was definitely getting involved in helping out; from the schools to mothers in need, every project we pitched in on was just amazing. Seeing those smiles on their faces made everything worthwhile,” said Auri Henderson-Jones '25.

The students also made meaningful connections with locals, including several visits to primary schools, taking Swahili lessons, and spending time with the Maasai tribe who taught them a traditional dance. They also participated in an eco-trek in the Marungu Hills and a bush skills workshop that included archery, shelter design, and fire making lessons. At the end of their journey, students participated in a marine conservation project during which they sorted and collected data on microplastics, learned about sea turtles, and cleaned a beach. Before heading back to the states, the travelers enjoyed a final relaxing day at the beach.

The cultural immersion not only allowed students to explore a new place and culture, but develop and implement real-world solutions that will make a lasting impact on both them and those they interacted with.

“This trip was incredibly valuable to me because it was such a unique opportunity. It wasn't just a typical vacation; it was a chance to really be a part of something meaningful. And what I'll remember most are the connections we made—with each other in our group and with the people we met along the way. Those unexpected relationships are what really made the trip special and what I'll carry with me long after it's over,” Henderson-Jones said.

Outside of their excursions, the students enjoyed cohabitating in camp, which included dance parties in the rain, meeting campers from other groups, and reflecting on their experiences. They learned to negotiate and barter at local markets while enjoying fresh mangoes and local milk cookies. They bonded with local children and their team leaders, making memories that will last a lifetime.

“Other than playing in mud, my favorite part of the trip was meeting the people. The children were precious and the adults were inspiring. Everyone was incredibly welcoming, and people seemed genuinely happy … I loved dancing with both tribes we met, and I truly loved every second of the trip,” reflected Anne Rachel Sheppard '27 during a campus Chapel in honor of the trip.

Joining Henderson-Jones and Sheppard were Stephanie Cano Barranco ‘24, Kate Denny ‘25, Anna Froneberger '27, Elinor Harrison ‘24, Bella Haughton '26, Emalyn Herring '26, Sadirah Jasper '25, Georgia McGuire '27, Allie Midkiff '27, Saki Oshiro '26, Mone Saito '27, Siyi "Angel" Su '25, Vale Ulloa Soto '27, Maddie Walsh ‘26, and Youao "Rose" Wang '27. The students were guided by chaperones Dr. Erin McHugh and Ms. Frankie Beyer.

See more pictures from their journey on the School’s SmugMug.

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