Local charity Kenya Watamu Educational Support Trust (KWEST) has shown its resilience over the past 12 months by creating new libraries and offering essential literacy support. The charity empowers countless children to explore new opportunities through reading.
Local Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire volunteers have been working hard to raise money to continue the running of the library and develop connections and growth.
In October 2024 a Kenyan curry and international wine tasting evening took place which raised over £300 and collected game and sanitary products.
Just before Christmas 2024, two KWEST Trailblazers, Caroline and Tamsin, spent 6 weeks volunteering at the Watamu library during the Kenyan summer holidays. Before they went, they raised money through a car boot sale, their local Guides collected books and games, and a knitting group made knitted characters for reading bags.
In April 2025, KWEST Ambassador Rebecca cycled the equivalent distance of the Kenyan coastline and raised £900 for the charity.
Over in East Kenya, library staff and ‘Angaza Mums’ – which supports the most vulnerable girls and young women to survive and thrive after abuse – have created a new Community learning space, giving them and their children access to books and literacy support.
The charity’s CEO Lesley travelled to Watamu to finalise a few developments, including a move to Watamu Primary School’s library and the handover of books from storage to the ‘Angaza Mum’s’ library and a new library in Jacaranda.
In July 2025, the KWEST team paraded in the Radcliffe on Trent Carnival and raised £250 on their stall.
On Saturday 4 October between 6.00pm – 9.00pm, the charity will be hosting a Kenyan Evening, with music, food and raffle at the Grange Hall in Radcliffe on Trent. For more information, please contact Naheed on 07762 320244.
Do you want to make a difference to the lives of children in East Kenya? Join our amazing fundraising team and help raise awareness and funds for KWEST.
If you are interested in supporting the charity or would like to know more about the upcoming events, please contact Lesley via [email protected].