For Men To Talk founder’s humanitarian to Kenya

Our ‘For Men To Talk’ founder, Luke Newman, has returned to Kenya where he is helping to build a better future for children living in a deprived environment. Luke, 42, has visited Nakuru, 85 miles north of the capital city, Nairobi, seven times previously.

After heading to the Rhonda slums of the city, Luke is in West End Academy for the second time, with other volunteers from Derby County Community Trust, including his Dad, Steve, from Gamlingay and brother Paul, formerly of Sandy, and his nephews Max and Fynn, now living in Derby.

Last year, in two weeks, the team were able to help dismantle an old kitchen and design and construct a new one to help with the feeding programme in the school. This is extremely important, as for some children, this is the only meal that they will have that day.

They were also able to build a playground, with swings, and help with the start of constructing a double storey classroom.

This year, they are helping to construct a second floor to a classroom that has already been started.

“I’ve documented my past seven trips in blogs, some long, some short, for you all to read,” said Luke. “It shows the amazing work that the volunteers have done, the stories of children that I have met, their struggles and illnesses, but also the opportunity to meet the Deputy President of Kenya, as well as a ‘once in a lifetime’ football match against the Masai Warriors.

Having to raise over £2000 every year is extremely tough and Luke thanks all those who have contributed to that amount, especially Matthew Eden and Jim Eden from Eden Tyres & Servicing for sponsoring his shirt once again in 2023. To donate for his 2024 trip, please visit: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/newmanlucasrik24

Luke has written a day-to-day blog on his trips and can be read on the ‘For Men To Talk’ website at https://formentotalk.co.uk/fmttken/

Derby County Community Trust are just one of a number of groups that partner with over 20 schools in developing areas of Ghana, Kenya and Zanzibar with African Adventures and will be returning to Kenya in 2023. For more information, please visit https://www.derbycountycommunitytrust.com/fundraising-and-events/rams-kenya