A TEAM of 18 teenagers from Clevedon will travel to Kenya this summer to work in schools and support the efforts of a valued charity.

The year 12 students at Clevedon School will be embarking on the 15-day trip in July along with five staff members.

They will travel to the remote region of Kisii where they will live alongside the local community and witness the work carried out by Mend the Gap, a Langford-based charity which organises projects in the UK and East Africa to tackle poverty and advance education.

In a bid to raise money toward this work, an auction of promises will be held at Clevedon School at 7pm on May 9 and pupils are hoping to encourage businesses and people to offer prizes for the event. This could include event tickets, vouchers, an offer of a service from an individual or company, or any items worthy of auctioning.

Subject co-ordinator Claire Murray said: “We would love to raise as much money as possible to support the work of the charity and the community which will be hosting us on this adventure, and the auction of promises is a main focus of our fundraising efforts.”

Clevedon School’s sixth form has raised money for Mend the Gap over the past few years but this will be the first time pupils will travel to see its work firsthand.

During their time in Kenya, the pupils will be split into smaller groups to volunteer in primary and secondary schools as well as at the Bochoroke Self-Help Centre and Nursery which was created by Mend the Gap.

Claire added: “They will be immersed in the culture, will develop an understanding and appreciation of the very different way of life, will be able to support teaching and education in the schools themselves, as well as having the opportunity to build long lasting relationships with people in the community.”

During the trip they will also visit the Kibera slums in Nairobi, where the school is linked with a women’s project, and round it all off with a safari on the Masai Mara.

n Anyone wishing to donate a prize for the auction of promises should contact Claire Murray at the school no later than April 30 on 01275 876744 or by emailing her at CMurray@clevedon.n-somerset.sch.uk

Tickets for the auction, priced £1.50, are also available from the school.