Luke’s Gap Year Experience

I spent a month volunteering with the Nasio Trust in Kenya, and I’d love to share some of the moments that made it such a bright and memorable experience!

Upon arriving in Musanda, Western Kenya, after 2 days of travelling, I was greeted by a delicious freshly cooked meal made by Evans, the Nasio chef. It was the perfect start to my month in Kenya, as I quickly realised how enthusiastic and kind everyone at Nasio is. Although travelling to Kenya by myself, I was instantly welcomed into the Nasio family, as my first morning was spent being shown around the Nasio grounds by Grace, being introduced to all the projects that are going on in this little village in Kenya. Whilst I had volunteered in the UK office for a month prior to flying out, and have been in contact with Nasio for the past few years, it still blew my mind how much is happening on the ground to empower the local communities. It felt truly special to be there and experience everything.

In my first week, I got stuck into all kinds of activities that really showed me the heart of the community. I helped plough fields with young mothers, where teamwork and laughter were just as important as the work itself. I spent time at St. Irene’s reading stories to the children, whose energy and curiosity made every visit special. I was completely surprised by a full school band at a local school, which was unexpected and unforgettable. I also walked up to Bukaya Rock for amazing views over the area, and played endless football with the local kids, who quickly wore me out and were running circles around me. It was a busy, joyful introduction to life at Nasio and a glimpse of the vibrant community I was joining.

For the rest of my time at Nasio, I focused on the girls’ football project, which was inspired by the Greenblades football club in the local area. The Greenblades have shown how getting girls involved in football can inspire them, teach important life skills, and create a strong sense of family, something we wanted to build on with this project. I helped organise the first round of coaches’ training, designed to incorporate sexual and reproductive health education into football sessions. The training ran over three days, with the first two focused on the coaches. Different people from Nasio came to share their expertise, from nutritionists to medics, giving the coaches practical knowledge to take back to their teams. On the final day, each coach brought along girls from the schools they teach at, around 30 in total, and the coaches put everything they had learned into action. The training was a great success, and the project continues to grow, with footballs, bibs, cones, and other essential equipment being provided to help the clubs thrive. For me, it was a project I felt deeply passionate about and proud to be part of, and I still get updates on how it is developing today.

It’s hard to put into words how much my time at Nasio meant to me. I could only fit into this blog a fraction of the things I got up to in my time there. I am very lucky to have been made to feel very much a part of the charity when I was there, not just a tourist. I made friends for life who I can’t wait to see when I go back, and I left with memories, lessons, and experiences that will stay with me forever. Volunteering at Nasio showed me the impact a small, dedicated team can have on a community, and it has inspired me in ways I didn’t expect.