Teen’s ‘eyes opened’ to world with Kenya trip
Eleanor Clarke on her trip to Kenya. Picture: Eleanor Clarke - Credit: Eleanor Clarke
A teenager said nothing could prepare her for a trip of a lifetime to Kenya.
Eleanor Clarke, aged 17, travelled to Nairobi with Mend The Gap charity in July and August.
She headed from the capital to the south-western corner of Kenya and studied how children were educated.
Eleanor said: "The charity focuses of diminishing the gap between those that have and those that have not both in third world countries and at home.
"In the three-week period we spent eight days in Kisii, visiting the local primary and secondary schools.
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"Their education system is amazing, everyone is so eager to learn, makes you re-evaluate your own attitude to your school studies.
"We also spent two days in the Maasai Mara, which included a day in the game park, and one day at Lake Naivasha, where we could relax.
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"I had such an amazing time, it really opens your eyes to what's going on in the world outside your own personal bubble.
"People see it on television, but don't really believe it, until you witness it first-hand."
Mend The Gap is based in Langford and seeks 'to help individuals and their communities to mend the gap between cultures, religions, generations and people of different wealth'.
Cake sales and car boot events were run by Eleanor to fund her trip.
But she was also boosted by support from charitable groups based in the area.
The 17-year-old said: "I would just like to say a massive thank you to her sponsors at The Yeo Valley Lions, the Rotary club of Yatton, Yatton Rugby Club, Bridges Electrical and The Logo works, for helping her to raise the funds needed to be able to participate on this trip."
