New College students will soon be travelling to Kenya to help the community.

About 40 students and staff will be heading to Nakuru in July as part of the college’s Younite Outreach Project, which aims to help orphans and destitute children.

The team, who are travelling in two groups of 20, will be helping at two schools, The Melon School for Orphans and the Silver Bells School.

Fiona Simpson, the enrichment co-ordinator at New College and the founder of YOP, said: “Organising these trips out to our projects and seeing first-hand how much a volunteer can change the lives of the children and communities we support has been so rewarding.

“Working with these schools has also changed my life and I hope Younite Outreach Project can continue to develop and reach out to more communities that need our support.”

Groups of students and staff from the college have been travelling to Nakuru to help the community for the last few years.

They usually help the Melon School but have extended their work to the Silver Bells School.

“Silver Bells have never had volunteers before. We are hoping we can make a significant difference,” said Fiona.

The staff and students will be taking part in community work, teaching and renovation.

Among the students taking part is Jonny Leighfield, 18, of Stratton, who took part last year.

“Going out there is the best thing I have ever done,” he said. If I can I will go back every year.”

Jemma Colsell, 17, of Stratton, is also going on the trip.

“I am looking forward to helping the community,” she said.

The team have set themselves to raise £2,500 to build a 500sq ft classroom for the Silver Bells School.

The money will provide building materials, labour, paint, classroom resources, a blackboard and desks.

By providing the new classroom, it will enable the school to educate more children A donation of £5 would cover one square foot of a classroom.

In return the students will update donors with a newsletter outlining what they have done with the money.

To inquire about donating email Fiona.simpson@newcollege.ac.uk.

For more information visit www.yoproject.co.uk.