A TRIP to Kenya by a North Yorkshire youth group has been hailed as a huge success by both the organisers and those who took part.

The eleven-strong group, known as Ryedale Youth Kenya, arrived back from three weeks in Africa's biggest country last week.

The eleven planned the trip from start to finish - the process began over a year ago - and raised every penny themselves.

During the trip - to a small village called Nanuki - they took part in many aspects of African culture and worked to improve conditions and facilities in schools local to the places they stayed.

Projects they worked on ranged from maintenance of the local schoolhouse, to working on a feeding programme for the most deprived children in the schools.

Keith Rowe and his wife Gail were the trip's co-organisers.

They are now veterans of ten similar trips, and said the annual event has twin aims.

"They are to develop the group's leadership and initiative qualities, and to help teach the young people in the group to help themselves," Keith said.

"I feel confident in saying that is what we have managed to do. Looking at the group this year I was very pleased with the way they gelled and worked together without any arguments or upsets.

"They simply got on with the work we were there to do - and did it superbly," Keith added.

Malton School pupils Phoebe Court, Andrew Ward and Matthew Bulmer all took part in the trip.

They agreed that seeing the conditions the Kenyans live in, and the facilities the schoolchildren have, were a shock to the system.

"It was shocking. You see pictures, film and things before you go but that doesn't really prepare you for what it is going to be like when you get there," said Andrew, 15.

"The people always seem really happy in the pictures, and they are, which is even more amazing as they really do have nothing much in the way of possessions."

Matthew, also 15, agreed.

He said: "They don't have anything much but we went to try and improve what they do have and hopefully we have done that. I enjoyed every second of it."

And Phoebe, 16, said: "I know Keith is planning more trips and a few of us are hoping to go back, for a bit longer next time. It was an amazing experience."

Planning for next year's trip is already under way and volunteers are needed. If you are interested, ring Keith on 01751 475057.

Updated: 10:29 Saturday, February 03, 2001