Ashley Davis in Kenya

  From an article posted on the thisisgloucestershire.co.uk  website

A YOUNG Gloucester couple have ditched the conventions of a normal gap year to teach under-privileged Kenyan children.

Instead of a six-month adventure holiday or trek through the Himalayas, 18-year-old Annia Evans and her 19-year-old boyfriend Ash Davies have opted to spend their time helping others by teaching in Kenya.

Annia, who grew up in Tuffley and went to Beaufort Community School, said the idea of working with disadvantaged children came to her after she spent time in Ecuador three years ago.

She said: “In 2006 I set out for an adventure to Ecuador to help and make a difference in their country.

“I went with my local Scout group Beaufort Explorers joint with the Rotary Club of Gloucester. Our aim was to help others less fortunate then ourselves and that’s what we did.

“We made a water cistern for a local school to provide fresh water and redecorated their classrooms to make it a better place for learning.

“On my arrival home, it had me thinking, what else could someone do to change the lives of other people? And this is how my journey in Kenya began.”

Annia and Ash got involved with a gap year project called Changing Worlds, and raised £4,000 they needed to fulfil their dream.

Annia said: “We are here for six months helping in Kagoto Primary School, Nakuru. It’s very different to English schools.

“It is built on a quarry, very dirty, dusty and has lack of equipment.

“We are here to help teach the children and staff English, PE and arts and crafts, three subjects they find hard to do, through lack of knowledge, equipment and time, but with the help of people like us big aims can be achieved.”

Annia added: “The children are great, they love to try new things and I wouldn’t have wished for a better experience.

“I would encourage more people of my age to take up an experience of a life time