The first Restart Orphanage Kenya Team trip has been a huge success writes Chaplain, Nigel Wilson-Brown.

Just before Half-Term our first ever Restart Kenya Team headed off to Nairobi and then up the Rift Valley to Gilgil for an experience never to be forgotten. Nestled in that burgeoning town is Mary Coulson’s Restart Orphanage which plucks the neediest children from the most dreadful of lives on the Gilgil streets and offers them a whole new start. ‘Think not what you are but what you can become’ is painted across the Dining Room wall, and what wonderful characters these children are becoming. Our team of seven 5^th Form pupils were there to offer their love and service for six days that would change their lives forever. Daily they delivered in the laundry, the kitchen, cleaning the primary school and washing the littlest of that precious community. Extra pairs of hands made for much lighter work for the regular staff who loved having our boys and girls around. Afternoons could be handed over to play and laughter which for so many of the children are new experiences when life has been so hard until now. The team of Holly, Jacob, Kitty, Ben, Hugo, Harriet and Olly were absolutely brilliant and made such an impact in their short time there. They were particularly touched when we went into the heart of Gilgil one day and took twelve homeless street children for a chicken and chips meal and the most wonderful crossing of lives. The programme was a success on all fronts and this first team has set the bar high for future 5^th Formers who hope to follow them. An album from the trip can be viewed below. Well done Team Restart 2016!

Nigel Wilson-Brown - Chaplain