Chigwell pupils return from trip of a lifetime

While most students spent their summers relaxing, twenty-three pupils from West Hatch High School, High Road, recently returned from volunteering in Kenya and Tanzania.

The students began their month-long trip in the community, where they took part in local projects to improve the school buildings, helping them learn everyday Swahili phrases.

They also travelled on a safari route, at Tsavo East National Park, where they saw many wild animals – including elephants, cheetahs, giraffe, buffalo and lion, before trekking up Mount Meru, one of the highest mountains in Africa.

PE teacher Lizzie Edwards said: “It was an amazing experience and one which will never be forgotten.

“The students got to experience life in Africa and it really shed a light on how they live and what exceptional people they really are.”

“Overall the students were a joy to be with and represented the school with pride. It really was a trip of a lifetime!”