Testimonials, Dissertations, & Anecdotes

My alarm goes off at 7 just as Ken turns the lights on and wishes everyone a good morning. I'm up and out of bed quickly to get ready for the day. I meet everyone else on the deck for breakfast which is tea, scrambled eggs and plenty of toast this morning. Yum!

We're going to Excel school today - it's really interesting to see the differences between the schools depending on the amount of time they have been supported by Porridge and Rice. Excel was the first and so is the most established in terms of how the charity's initiatives are running. We leave at around quarter past 8 to walk to the main road. It takes about 15 minutes and we chat and play a game to pass the time.

All of our commuting to and from the schools is by public transport and the first trip of the day is in a matatu which is sort of like a small mini bus. It's often a tight squeeze with more people on board than there are seats and today is no exception - I'm squeezed in with 3 other volunteers at the back which is a little cozy but it's not for long and is all part of the fun!

We change at Junction for a bus, but not before stopping at a coffee shop, Java House, to use the loos. Some of the schools have toilet facilities that are a little worse for wear so we take every opportunity to use nice ones where we can.

The bus journey is less cramped than the matatu and today I'm sat next to a local man to whom I chat - he's interested in what we are doing in Nairobi and gives me some recommendations for things to do in the city at the weekend. Everyone here is super friendly.

Off the bus and we're nearly there - just a short walk through the slum to get to the school. As we walk, children call to us by shouting "wazungu" which just means white people, and we wave back much to their delight.

We're greeted at Excel with big hugs from Head Teacher Titus and Deputy Head Teacher Mary who is the Deputy Head. Feeding guests is a big part of Kenyan culture, so before we do anything else we take chai (milky tea) and mandazi (sort of like an unsweetened doughnut - really tasty especially dipped in the chai) with them. Once we're full to bursting we get to work - this is different for each of us and different each day. Today I am speaking to the cooks to try and ascertain how much salt is being added to the food and how the beans that are served at lunch are prepared, while the others are teaching lessons or working on their internship projects. We all come together to serve lunch to the children and then play games with them - they are full of energy and so happy to have us there, so this is really lovely.

The school very kindly organises lunch for us which today is a meat stew and / or beans and veg with rice and chapati which is delicious. Just having a single portion is not an option so a top tip is to take a small first portion and eat it slowly! We have fruits for dessert and then get back to our tasks. We start preparing to head back to Camp at around half 3, it takes a while to round everyone up and say our goodbyes - the children all want high fives and fist pumps - so we don't get away until 4. The journey home is much the same as the way here except we stop at a supermarket to stock up on water and snacks.

The day was hot and it's really dusty in the slum so the first thing I do when we get back is to shower - the water is generally lovely and hot and tonight is no exception thankfully. After changing into something warm and comfy for the evening (the nights get cold), I go to the deck to read. The other volunteers filter up over the evening and we eat dinner together and talk about the day as well as a hundred other things. It's loads of fun but we are all exhausted so we head back to the dorm. I read a bit more but it's getting kind of late so we turn the lights out around half past 10.

Dear New Volunteer

Kenya is a beautiful country with beautiful people. I joined Porridge and Rice two years ago and it changed my life. The dedication that the head teachers have for the children is amazing beyond words. During my 3 weeks there this summer I served food and I taught. It is so important to have a supportive team, creating a positive environment. It's always great meeting new people and find out why they have come to Kenya to be a part of this beautiful experience. One of the main reasons I do this is for the children.

The children are so warm and love to learn - they deserve a bright future. Despite many of them coming to school without having eaten at home, they always are joyful, making the best of every situation. I learned from them and the head teachers at the school, the importance of being grateful and appreciating everything. We often complain about things at home but being a part of this experience really makes you aware of what you have, making you more appreciative of it. Every morning when I was at the school, I was given abundant amount of food at the school even though they are poor and was touched by their generosity. As a volunteer, I helped to serve the Uji (Kenyan version of porridge) watching a line of children come one by one and give me their cup so I could serve them their breakfast, one of the two meals they would have in a day. The children would always smile and say "thank you". You could just tell how grateful they were to be able to have the next meal. It made me happy to think that I was contributing even in a small way to their lives.

As a new volunteer, I would ask you: what are you passionate about it? Through your passion you can figure out what you have to contribute. I always loved interacting with children. The idea of touching their hearts and being a mentor in some way is so important to me. I did some teaching both times I was there and I will never forget how they listened and all raised their hand with excitement. One head teacher named Ruth told me once that she went to ask class 7 about what I had taught them and they remembered all of it. I was so pleasantly surprised and that's when I realized that I could make an impact. It made me value my own education even more and I wanted to contribute to theirs knowing how it is an essential part of their lives and can help them make something of themselves.

From Claire

I have wanted to volunteer in Africa since I was a little girl, and have spent the past few years trying to find a way to make my dream a reality, but I had no idea how. I came across the charity Porridge and Rice when Indigo Volunteers matched me with them, as the work I wanted to do matched the work of the charity. Porridge and Rice is a wonderful charity, which supports schools in the Nairobi slums by tackling poverty through education - I felt I made a difference during my time with them.

I spent some of my time in Kenya supporting the feeding programme by assisting with the serving of breakfast and lunch in the schools with other volunteers, and even had the opportunity to explore the local markets to see where the food came from. I spent the rest of my time working with the older children in the schools delivering workshops on gender equality, personal hygiene, menstruation and consent. It was important for me to be able to deliver these sessions as I really felt as though my work had an impact on the young people; I felt like I was making a difference.

Each of the schools that we visited was warm and welcoming, both the children and staff seemed delighted by our arrival. It is apparent that the work of the charity is making a big difference to the lives of the children and the teachers in the schools, and they are so grateful for this. I have come away from Kenya with many ideas about how to improve my own teaching practice in England. The most notable thing which became apparent to me was the happiness which was shown by all of the people, both children and adults, who I had the pleasure of working with in Nairobi.

Despite Porridge and Rice being a small charity, they made sure that I was safe and informed about everything I needed to know, before, during and after the trip. Porridge and Rice connects people from all around the world. I have made friendships during my visit that will last a lifetime. I have laughed endlessly with the people who I met. I have had the most wonderful experience, being able to achieve one of my dreams with other people who also share the same goals.

I have most definitely learnt some important life lessons during my time volunteering, and I am so thankful for the wonderful opportunity that Porridge and Rice gave me. I would urge anybody who has a desire to volunteer abroad to follow their dreams with Porridge and Rice.

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Abstract

According to the Kenyan constitution "women and men have the right to equal treatment, including the right to equal opportunities in political, economic, cultural and social spheres". In addition, Kenya is a signatory to the UN Declaration of Human Rights which under article 2 applies all rights and freedoms equally to men and women and prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex. Kenya is nonetheless a conservative society dominated by men who expect women to abide by the decisions they make. It is not a society in which men and women are treated as equals. Porridge and Rice is committed to promoting gender equality upholding the law of Kenya and Kenya's commitment under the UN Declaration of Human Rights.

In order to promote gender equality, the charity has produced a series of lessons with resources, to be delivered to pupils at Porridge and Rice partner schools. The lessons are built on research and trial lessons conducted in Kenya in Summer 2019.

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The three and a half weeks I spent in Kenya with Porridge and Rice were undeniably the best weeks of my life. The trip exceeded all my expectations - I had more fun than I ever anticipated, learnt more than I thought I would, gained some lifelong best friends, and developed fantastic relationships with teachers and students alike. Without doubt, I will return to Kenya with the charity.

A fantastic aspect of the experience was the ability to modify the tasks based on the skills and interests of the volunteers. I originally came out as a general volunteer, intending on working in the classrooms and serving lunches as part of the feeding programme, however, while in Kenya, I was offered the chance to complete an internship with the charity. I have an interest in filmmaking and video production, and will be developing some videos to promote Porridge and Rice.

My favourite part of the trip was the relationships that developed between the volunteers, as well as the teachers and students of the charity's schools. I connected with teachers such as Teacher Beth and Teacher Mary more than I thought possible in just three weeks. Because of the work I was doing, I grew particularly fond of certain students such as Mercy and Caroline from Excel school, and have exchanged emails with them to maintain a friendship in the future. I didn't expect to develop such wonderful relationships in Kenya but I am over the moon to leave such a wonderful country knowing people I will cherish forever.

Kenya itself is a beautiful country. The people are welcoming, warm hearted and kind. Outside of volunteering at the schools, we were given many opportunities to explore the country. We went on safari to Tsavo National park, visited the elephant and giraffe sanctuaries, and saw the Lion King in a local cinema. Wildebeest Eco Camp, our base, is a wonderful peaceful oasis in busy Nairobi. It was somewhere we all felt comfortable and relaxed, and quickly became home.

The other volunteers who came on the trip were a big part of the reason I was inexplicably happy throughout. The positive energy that arose from the dynamic of the group due to the fact all of us were likeminded people who were there for a variety of reasons yet similar motivations, allowed us to develop deep friendships which will continue into the future. I am so grateful that I was introduced to such an amazing group of people through this trip!

Our team leader is a knowledgeable individual who, after visiting Kenya many times, makes volunteers feel in safe hands and that we are being looked after the entire time we are there. From transport to haggling in markets, I never felt that he didn't know what he was doing therefore I didn't feel stressed in the slightest even though I was in a country very different from home.

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Volunteering abroad and making a difference to individual's lives, who are not as fortunate as me, has always been a dream of mine and last year I decided to make this dream come true. I came across Porridge and Rice after being matched with them through Indigo Volunteers. After research, I knew this was the charity that I wanted to support. After some conversations with my team leader (Ken) I decided that I would like to make a difference to the lives of the children in the Niarobi slums - I paid the small fee, booked my flight and I was off.

The first day I was astonished - I had an idea in my head but the reality was a completely different story. To see how these children and teachers live and hear the reality of the lives that these children and teachers live, completely broke my heart. However, they bring positivity as bright as the sun and appreciate everything that is done for them (even the fact that we had gone to spend time with them) and this is why volunteering for a charity like Porridge and Rice is so rewarding.

I helped in schools by serving breakfast and lunch in schools alongside other volunteers and had the opportunity to see where this food is sourced and how it is cooked. A lot of the day, however was spent in classrooms seeing how pupils are being taught and playing games with the pupils. A key focus for us as a volunteer group however, was to deliver lessons on gender equality, personal hygiene, menstruation and consent. Alongside the support of other amazing volunteers, we delivered these sessions to ensure that the children are educated on these important issues - as many are still seen to be 'embarrassing' topics and often avoided being taught by teachers. We had the opportunity to address some of these topics by talking to teachers too and it was interesting to see their views as well. I believe as a group we had an impact on pupils lives, they seemed more confident in talking to us about these topics and interested in asking questions. At weekends we had the opportunity to explore the sights around Kenya or chilling at camp, enjoying our time with our new found friends.

Kenya felt like a home. Children and teachers are always so happy to see volunteers and they love to sing a lovely welcome on every arrival. It is clear that the charity have had a huge impact on both the lives of the children and the members of staff working within the schools. The children and teachers have touched my life in so many different ways, I have learnt many life lessons and it has developed my own ideas on how to improve my practice within my own job role.

I would urge anyone who would like to volunteer to volunteer with this charity. They ensure that your safety is paramount, Ken is very supportive and encourages to use your skills to the best use. I have made some lifelong friends whilst volunteering with Porridge and Rice and it is an experience I will never forget. I hope to return soon.

When deciding where to intern, I was looking for an organization underpinned by strong ethics, community engagement, capacity-strengthening initiatives, and sustainable interventions. Ultimately, I decided on Porridge and Rice because they champion these beliefs.

Now if you read about my background in entomology and human health, you might be wondering how I ended up interning with an education charity. This brings me to what I believe is the major strength of Porridge and Rice: program integration. Taken together, these program areas seek to improve the educational environment in partner schools, increasing the odds of a child receiving a sound education; i.e., a holistic approach to education as a means to reduce poverty. Furthermore, these programs are embedded within the social, political, economic, environmental, and cultural framework of the communities.

How is this done? Working with the community to develop solutions as opposed to proposing solutions for the community. This was an aspect I appreciated about the Porridge and Rice documentation, and it was an aspect I lived while in Kenya because of how Porridge and Rice carries out their work. Porridge and Rice does not set its agenda alone; rather, program directions are steered as a joint effort with the community. I value(d) this greatly.

For people considering an internship: Ken is a great mentor with whom to work. Although he will be coordinating the group's activities, he makes sure to invest time in your project both pre-arrival and on the ground. You are not by yourself in thinking through the daily complexities of the project (and believe me, it will be challenging, but a welcome challenge indeed). Additionally, recognize that your work as an intern is similar to planting seeds for solutions rather than implementing solutions outright. Development work takes time, among other factors, and rarely, if ever, happens on a short timescale. To that end, years' worth of time allows for positive change, as reflected in the schools wherein Porridge and Rice works.

If you are an intern, you have the option of carrying out your project anytime of the calendar year. If you choose to carry it out when Ken is not in-country, you will be in contact through Skype. In the end, I decided to overlap my fieldwork with when a larger group (including Ken) was going to be working in Kenya. I would choose this setup again in a heartbeat.

It is likely that working in this context will be (very) different from your day-to-day life--even if you have previously worked in resource-limited settings as I had. Having a group with which to process these thoughts and experiences is so important. Also, with the group came a wide range of perspectives, making daily conversations more interesting. And quite simply, it was fun to be part of a larger group. We came in as strangers and left as friends--many of these friendships I know will be lifelong. Working in this context creates unique bonds through shared, lived experiences.

My internship with Porridge and Rice was invaluable. As an intern, it was great to design and carry out a project related to my field that also aligned with the community and charity priorities. I got to work on the ground, in the field, with people in the community, daily. I was challenged not only by the research I carried out, but also by the experience itself. If you are curious to learn more about my project, I invite you to read the summary, scientific abstract and/or paper above.

Lastly, expect to work hard while you are in Kenya, no matter your role on the team. While there are opportunities to see other parts of the country during the weekends (and I encourage you to take advantage of these), the emphasis is on--without question--the work being carried out. Porridge and Rice is serious about the work they are doing with the community and you should be too.

A quick note on safety: Porridge and Rice places the utmost importance on ensuring that its volunteers are safe. This includes traveling to and from the airports, schools, and everything in between. The group stays together. Hands are washed frequently and often (e.g., before eating our lunch). Mosquito nets are part of the sleeping arrangements. Where you stay at night is gated and guarded by security. Overall, I felt very safe during my time in Kenya.

Biography

William (usually known as Will) started his internship with Porridge and Rice during Summer 2019. As an intern, he designed and carried out field research on dengue fever in the areas surrounding the Porridge and Rice partner schools as part of the charity's Health and Hygiene programme.

In Kenya, Will focused on identifying and mapping mosquito breeding sites specifically looking for Aedes aegypti as a measure of the potential presence of dengue fever in the Nairobi slums. In the course of his field research, Will worked with community leaders and members as well as other volunteers and fellow interns. In the course of his research, Will identified a bean weevil outbreak at Porridge and Rice and implemented a solution to curtail the current outbreak and prevent future outbreaks.

Will originally hails from Austin, Texas. Previously, he conducted 1.5 years of research on Aedes aegypti (the vector of dengue fever) at Purdue University, where he graduated with dual degrees in Entomology and Health & Disease. When he's not looking for mosquitoes or other insects, Will bowls competitively and enjoys challenging his mind by learning and teaching himself new things, such as how to juggle.

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Last year, I was lucky enough to spend 4 weeks in Kenya with an amazing charity; Porridge and Rice. Safe to say, I didn't have a clue what to expect when we arrived in the slums on our first day but within 10 minutes of arriving, I knew I was in for the most exciting and educational trip I was going to have.

No two days were the same with measuring and weighing the children as part of the feeding and nutrition programme. Followed by myself and another nurse teaching the older children and teacher basic first aid and life support. The days were long and tiring but I must say food was never an issue as the teachers always made sure that we didn't go hungry!!

Fundraising was a massive part of my trip, myself, Emma and Jenni (vice chair and fellow student nurse) decided to challenge ourselves to trek Mount Kenya, such a fantastic opportunity to fundraise and see where the money raised directly goes and benefits the schools and their students.

Not only did I learn lots about Kenyan life, teach first aid and raise money but I was also treated like one of the family, so much so that I'm currently planning on visiting again next year and taking more student nurses out!

I was introduced to Porridge and Rice in September 2014 and met the team for the first time in October. After much planning and research into hand hygiene I went over for the first time as a nursing student as part of my elective studies in January 2015. The four weeks were the most formative of my career and the moment it was over I was planning the next trip for just 5 months later.

I was extremely apprehensive and wondered if I would even be able to make it through the 4 weeks in the slums, let alone enjoy the experience and want to return. Yes, I did the tourist things like going on safari, visiting the giraffe and elephant sanctuaries, even going white water rafting; but the day to day was what made it for me on that first trip. I am yet to go on another safari, the last big adventure was on my 7th trip when I scaled Mount Kenya with 2 student nurses on their elective with Porridge and Rice.

The charity was quite young during my first trip and whilst we experienced the best of Kenyan welcomes, I felt more at home once getting to know the reality of the schools and the lives the teachers and pupils lead.

I was struck by their energy and tenacity, nothing got in their way and they only wanted the best for the pupils in terms of health and academic achievement. I took it upon myself to instigate the measuring of all the pre-primary children across the schools, something that I continue to do to this day and the results tell a striking story. The children are now meeting the standards set by the WHO in terms of height and weight rather than falling far below their centiles. To Porridge and Rice this showed that the diet we had introduced was having the desired effect of filling them up and more importantly nourishing them and their brains. Hand in hand with dietary changes we introduced handwashing and nutrition lessons to back up the messages.

If I hadn't been part of the charity for the last 5 years, the work would still have happened and the children would still be improving due to the dedication of all involved; but I have changed. The act of going and giving your time is rewarding in more ways than you would think. I cannot wait to go back for the 8th time, see my Kenyan family and introduce more people to the work of Porridge and Rice.

I spent 4 weeks in Kenya with Porridge and Rice, and not to be cliche but it was some of the best moments of my life. I learnt a great deal about hard work, teaching and long term planning - essential skills for any young person to learn. I've made many friends from around the UK and in Kenya that I will cherish forever.

I didn't have a set objective when I visited, I was willing to do whatever whenever. I started off by supporting teachers in the Maths IGCSE program, teaching different sets of teachers each day or filling in for teachers whilst they were away learning. Porridge and Rice is unique in the way its programmes have lasting effects on its partner schools from education to its feeding programme. You hear stories of how Porridge and Rice has transformed the schools improving attendance, providing safe water to drink and free school meals.

From the IGCSE I took on a more physically demanding role. For example removing weeds from sweet potatoes and digging up sweet potato patches; working in different environments has enhanced my soft skills and brought me closer to the people in my group. I never had a dull moment with my group even when work verged on monotonous, you could always count on the company of others around you to keep you entertained.

The most enjoyable aspect of the trip was the safari in Amboseli by far. It was incredible seeing the diverse life that Africa supports, being up close to animals like giraffes and elephants in their natural habitat is vastly different from going to the zoo or watching them on TV. I remember seeing giraffes in numbers trying to cross the road, the leader urging the others to move on, instead they were all crammed together in a group it was amusing seeing these large mammals afraid of small cars parked along the road.

I wouldn't do Kenya any differently, it was simply amazing offering a great balance of fun and work. Activities at camp and at the schools will leave you tired however you leave knowing that you did something impactful. I am planning to return this year (2020) to continue on old projects and build new ones with a new team - I can't wait!

Kenya was by far one of my most memorable and enjoyable experiences.

It was my first time in Kenya and my first time volunteering with Porridge and Rice The whole trip was amazing from staying at a Wildebeest Eco Camp to visiting the charity's partner schools which made me feel at home within minutes. At the schools, we were greeted by the children and the teachers with enthusiasm and happy smiles.

On the week ends, the group leaders organised activities like white water rafting and going on the safari trip to Amboseli, the perfect way to round off a wonderful week. The entire experience has left me with many great memories including sitting in the most unique mode of transport, the matatu, travelling to the schools or sight seeing.

The experience I had in Kenya whilst helping children living in slums of absolute poverty, has completely changed my perspective on life entirely. To say that is very broad and hyperbolic; nevertheless, it couldn't be truer. The achievements l made like; educating the children on simple sex education, connecting with them on a personal level, and helping to decorate and build up the schools are just a few things I can say that I am massively proud that I accomplished. To see the devastating circumstances, they come across in everyday life makes you ever so grateful for what we have in the UK but at the same time encourages you to help them. Porridge and Rice, gives you the opportunity to really experience the lives of people who live amongst the slums, and encourages you to do anything you can to help them - which I am eternally thankful for!

Everyone's experiences of what they actually did in Kenya is different. As for me, I took on a range of activities from teaching sex education, to helping with dental checks and painting the schools. In the first two weeks, I was teaching children sex education in three simple steps. I explained the 3 Cs which I depicted as "communication, consent and condom". The children understood these teachings in a very textbook style; although when I asked a question like 'who would use a condom when they have sex?' zero hands were raised. I struggled to understand why at first, but then I added some real-life situations in which the children interacted more and came to understand and apply the simple teachings they had learnt. This was the proudest moment of my Kenya experience.

Spending a month in Kenya is daunting, however the friendships you make out there are incredible. Everyone is in the same position, which makes you feel so much more relaxed around them. The long days working together and the chilled evenings, allow you to build real friendships that genuinely last forever. I barely knew anyone before leaving; and my friend from university knew no one - but now we speak to people we made friends with in Kenya on a day to day basis. From the first night in Istanbul, friendships blossomed and I will never forget the people I worked with.

The impact I made as an individual, helping the children and teachers in the Nairobi slums was so personal. I will be returning to Kenya to volunteer more and also see how my teachings and help has helped to improve the lives of so many children.

I'm a software developer and mother, and was persuaded to go to Kenya by my friend of 20 years, Ken, who promised me I would feel useful if I went out there. I went to Kenya in January 2015 in a group of 5 - a nurse, two students, the charity's chairman, and me.

The Kenyan Porridge and Rice team made us feel unbelievably welcome and are generous on every level. Each time we visited any of the schools we had to ask the leadership to tone down the hospitality and VIP treatment - the team are all hard-working, dedicated people who are grateful for the support we are giving their schools, and they really want to express this in the only way they know how, through feeding us. Consequently, I've probably eaten my own body weight in mango! On our first day at Lizpal we were greeted by the whole school cheering, singing and dancing - it was quite overwhelming.

As the IT expert I was asked to get the schools online and give some lessons in Word and Excel - having (donated) laptops available for the schools mean that they can communicate relatively cheaply and easily with the UK and can put together monthly reports for the charity and prepare worksheets for use in class.

The children are very sweet, and when I came home I missed the constant greetings of "howareyoooo?!" and the dusty, sticky high fives. The school sports day was a lot of fun - seeing around 500 children and their teachers disappearing towards the horizon and wondering how long it would be until they came back was quite funny.

It's been very useful to see just how basic their conditions are, but also how well the Kenyans manage with the resources they have. Although clearly, we live in very different circumstances, it does help to put your own life in perspective. I came away feeling as though I've made some real friends, and can't wait until I can go back again.

I found out about Porridge and Rice through a friend when I was looking for an elective to end my nursing studies with. I was drawn to the simple message of using education to help people escape poverty in a sustainable way and believed that my knowledge of child health could help. I went out for the first time in Jan 2015 and then again in July 2015 and intend to go again in Jan 2016!

I have come to love Kenya, the hospitality of the people and the astounding courage they have in the face of such hardship. What we do is a drop in the ocean but makes such a difference to so many lives.

Planning for the trip was easy, with a little hard work thrown in, we spent weekends and evenings researching the common childhood ailments prevalent in the slums and how we could address them. But none of the preparation could be equalled by the experience you get out there on the ground.

Anyone who believes that enabling people to work their way out of poverty by enabling education which we take for granted should come out with us, teachers, nurses, builders or even horticulturists, everybody has something to add to the charity and the lives of those out there.

The first time I went out to Kenya was in October 2013, on the trip that initiated the creation of Porridge and Rice. Since then I have been out twice - in March 2014 and then again in July 2015 - and annual trips with Porridge and Rice are something I hope to carry on doing for a long time to come! One of the reasons for this is that volunteering with Porridge and Rice enables volunteers to witness the incredible progress that the charity's work facilitates on a day-to-day basis as well as long-term effects from trip to trip. On the last trip, not only did we see the immediate effects that producing new blackboards and painting the schools had, but also the astounding results that the feeding program, launched the previous year, was producing in the heights and weights of the children. In addition to this, the range of work that a volunteer can do out there is so varied that I had the opportunity to do everything from teaching to digging drains to meeting with organisations in order to arrange sanitary towel supplies for the school, amongst many other things.

Asides from the incredibly rewarding volunteering, the equally rewarding recreational activities are just as much of a highlight on these trips. From going on safari to white water rafting to climbing Mount Kenya to spending time wandering around Istanbul as part of the journey to/from Nairobi, the trips with Porridge and Rice have given me the opportunity to take part in so many activities that I probably would not have ever done otherwise.

All in all, I would strongly recommend anyone thinking of doing some form of volunteering to sign up to a Porridge and Rice trip - there's not a chance you'll regret it!

My time in Kenya was an unforgettable experience filled with joys and eye-opening moments.

Over the 4 weeks that I spent in Nairobi I met the wonderful staff and beautiful children of Porridge and Rice schools in the Ngando slums. There, myself and the team helped in making new black boards for Excel Emmanuel, and new rooms and spaces for Lizpal, which we could not have achieved without the help of the students and teachers!

We also took part in some amazing activities such as Whitewater Rafting for the adrenaline pumping thrill seekers. Safari at Amboseli for amazing wildlife and climbing Mount Kenya which is easier said than done!

Overall my trip to Kenya with Porridge and Rice was one I will never forget, I made some amazing friends and learnt more than I thought I would. All I can say now is I cannot wait to go back!

Waking up every morning at half past seven and working until or 4 o'clock in the afternoon gave me a huge sense of achievement.

My favourite activity was teaching Mathematics to the children, and my favourite trip was to the coast to where I swam in clear sea, slept in a tree house, and went skydiving.

I first went to Kenya in October 2013 on the first trip with what was to become Porridge and Rice. I have since been back to Kenya a further two times.

Travelling to Kenya with Porridge and Rice you have the opportunity to experience a wide range of activities, both work related and social, from teaching a classroom full of children about HIV to climbing a mountain! None of the activities are strictly compulsory (although some are highly recommended!) which means Porridge and Rice and can tailor every trip to suit the individual volunteer.

On the first trip I went on my favourite activity was going to the coast to a picturesque while sand beach. I stayed there for four days relaxing in the sun, swimming in the sea and drinking beer in the evening. One day I even went skydiving! All whilst staying in a tree house.

The trip to Kenya is probably the best trip I've been on so far in my life.

The balance between volunteer work in the slums and the range of different activities we managed to achieve just made the trip so much fun! You will learn and experience new valuable life skills that you won't be able to find anywhere else. It's an opportunity worth taking and it shows you the reality of life in poor countries, which can be emotional at times. You will build key friendships with the Kenyan people alongside the other students you travel with for PaR. This incredible experience is not worth missing out on.

My name is Jake and I'm a first-year Philosophy student. I've been on two trips: one in March 2014 and one in January 2015. Having been involved with the charity from its inception, I wanted to go to Kenya to work on the ground and experience everything for myself. During my trips, I was fortunate enough to be present for the establishing of feeding programs in three schools. I tried to get involved with everything; bartering for kitchen equipment, teaching English and even digging sewage pits.

PaR is also keen to provide opportunities for play as well as work. From my first trip, visiting Diani beach in Mombassa was a definite highlight. Drinking a few local beers at night as crabs scuttled along the sand, with the air still warm at two in the morning, beats any pub England has to offer. The entire trip to the Amboselli safari park, from my second trip, was equally amazing. Mount Kenya is always visible, reliably there to take your breath away anytime you catch sight of it.

The entire experience was incredible. At times, witnessing the conditions people endure in the slums can be an assault on the emotions. It's hard not to be upset by the conditions poverty condemns them to. However, this always gives way to sheer admiration; the spirit of the people we work with is truly inspiring. What makes the whole experience truly special is getting to know and becoming friends with the people we work with in Kenya. Knowing them genuinely is a privilege and that is why I'd eagerly recommend anyone to volunteer with PaR.

I originally went to Kenya with the PaR team as a CV-building opportunity combined with the prospect of visiting a beautiful and culturally rich country in Africa - a continent many people never visit. I have since been back twice more and enjoyed every trip more than the last.

Having worked with PaR from the beginning I have seen the charity develop from a small kitchen-table trust to a much larger, globally connected charity that is able to help many more people in extreme poverty in Kenya.

The trips have always been well organised with regular meetings with volunteers in the planning stage and the ability to 'shape' your own trip by choosing to do certain activities and not others. I have driven through the Rift Valley (where the first humans came from), been thrown out of a raft on white water, seen Hyena and Lion feast on a carcass in the shadow of Mt. Kilimanjaro on Safari and I have even climbed Mt. Kenya; the second highest mountain in Africa.

The work that PaR does in Kenya is suitable to people from all walks of life. PaR volunteers have included students (from GCSE up to University), a registered nurse, an accountant and an IT professional. Volunteers work on anything from teaching classes in English and Maths to building blackboards desks, negotiating with vendors for kitchen equipment to digging drains and constructing meal plans. There really is something for everyone and what you will do can be decided before you even leave the UK.

Of course, if you find something else enjoyable once you arrive in Kenya, PaR will always try and accommodate your needs.

I encourage everyone to sign up for at least one PaR trip. The mix of genuine, selfless volunteering combined with once-in-a-lifetime activities ranging from extreme sports and Safari to relaxation on the world-famous Diani beach will be something you never forget.