Colchester United

After a week's hard work out in Kenya, the team's trip was beginning to near an emotional end.

We'll have further updates soon, and our latest blog from Community Development Officer Tom Tayler reflects on Friday and Saturday's activities. Day 8: April 7th

Friday was upon us and I think it was safe to say that it was a day we had all been dreading since Monday, as this was our last day at The Walk Centre.

As we arrived in the morning, we had our joyful greeting from all of the children. In what was due to be a busy day, we got to work quickly in the classrooms, either teaching or painting.

As well as this, The Walk Centre had a very special delivery, with all of our donations - of which there was over 800 items. These included stationary, books, bubbles, teddies, bags, hats, football shirts, shorts and socks as well as the first 160 pairs of football boots from our friends at Boots2Africa.

We set up a whole classroom of donations, which which distributed to the children class by class. The sheer happiness and appreciation of the children is something none of us will ever forget.

Throughout lunchtime, we managed one last game of footblal, before finishing off our classsroom by repainting the dusty blackboard.

It was then time for the hardest part of the day, as we were summoned to the playground where each pupil and staff member congregated before us. 

Songs soon started from all of the children, before some individual messages from some of them, most of whom were still grasping a new item from the earlier donations.

It was then our turn to say our thank yous and goodbyes collectively and individually, as the children all came running to us before leaving.

There was not a dry eye in the Col U team as we watched the friends that we had made make their way home - and for some, that would be the dump site.

The buses were quite on their way to the mall as we were still coming to terms with the emotion of the day.

Dinner and cards before an early night, as it would be a 6.30am breakfast for Saturday's safari and Rift Valley adventure.

After such an emotional day on the Friday, we had an action packed day ahead on the Saturday.

An early breakfast prepared us for our 7am pick-up, as we were on our way to Lake Nakuru National Park for our safari.

We set off in our two vans with the roof lifted in preparation for viewing the animals.

It didn't take long as we rolled through the park to see some fantastic animals in their natural habitats. 

A selection of what we saw included zebras, buffalos, antelopes, giraffes and rhinos, but unfortunately the lions were all elsewhere!

After our safari, we scooted off for some lunch, before embarking on our two hour trip to Thompson Falls. On this journe, we did have a couple of pit stops, the first of which was a tea farm, where we were treated to a demonstration.

After this it was then onto the Equator for some photos and a special experiment! Once this was done, it was time to hit the Falls.

On arrival to the Falls, we were treated to the most beautiful view, then it dawned on those that were hiking that it was time to make the one kilometre descent. 

Once we made it down, the effort was certainly worth it for the views that greeted us - but on the downside, it was time to get back up.

When this was done, it was time to head back to Nakuru for dinner and what turned out to be an early night after the excitement of the day got the better of us!