Sir – Last month, I was fortunate enough to be one of 10 students travelling to Musanda, Western Kenya, with the Nasio Trust.

We were accompanied by three, incredibly dedicated leaders, who have supported us profusely over the last two years of fundraising and preparing for the trip.

As a 15-year-old, this was the biggest trip I had yet to experience. Although it was physically and emotionally exhausting, I couldn’t have felt more awake.

Evidently, it was a culture shock. Witnessing deprivation and poverty on such a high level triggered emotions that one couldn’t comprehend from a TV screen.

Before the trip, each student was allocated a child to look out for while in Kenya. These children had no sponsors.

Angel is a three year-old girl that I had the pleasure of being allocated. Leading up to the trip, Angel was the topic of most of my conversations. Desperate to meet her properly, my excitement grew and grew.

After travelling over 6,571 miles and fundraising for over 18 months, we finally arrived in Musanda.

On our first visit to St Irene’s Day Care Centre, the most excited group of children had ever seen swarmed us. For the rest of the afternoon we were occupied with hand holding, cuddles and laughing.

Having had an amazing time, I was left feeling very humble. However, it wasn’t until the last 10 minutes at the day care centre that day, when I met Angel.

While happily playing with a group of children, Angel came and joined us. So overwhelmed by the kindness and happiness of these children, I didn’t recognise her fully at first, but I will never forget the emotions that struck me when I heard that her name was Angel.

From that moment until the end of the trip, at every opportunity, we cuddled, played and laughed.

The bond we grew proved to me that language isn’t a barrier when you genuinely adore someone.

There are so many memories I have with Angel that I hope to cherish forever. One in particular was when Angel was sat on my lap in the morning and her mother had given her a small roll of bread.

Despite the fact that the bread may have been her only food of the day, she still broke the bread in half and placed some in my hands.

Smiling, I placed it back in her hands, signalling for her to eat it.

Amazed by her generosity, especially at such a young age, it was a pleasure to notice that her generosity was not unique in the community. So many people we met were willing to give up almost all their belongings, purely to say thankyou or as an act of genuine kindness.

Inevitably, the trip came to an end too quickly. With that came the goodbye I had been dreading the most.

Clinging on to her, not knowing when, or if, I would see her again. Until we left, I couldn’t stop going back to the classroom door to wave goodbye once more. Her smiling face, glistening with contentment, waving goodbye, is an image I’ll never forget.

I am now sponsoring Angel, hopefully showing her that she has not been forgotten. The friendship we have is a special one. She will forever have a place in my heart, as I hope I do in hers.

If you were kind enough to contribute to the funds we raised to go to Kenya, I can’t thank you enough. I will be forever grateful for the experience, allowing me to create so many loving friendships.

Livvi Rowe
Benson