Aberdeenshire Kenya Literacies Exchange Programme

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Aberdeenshire Council’s Community Learning and Development (CLD) team were successful in securing an Education Exchange grant from the Scottish Government - Scottish Education Exchange Test and Learn (Year 3). This is the first time this grant has been available to CLD, as it was previously only offered to schools, universities, and colleges.

Six staff members from across the CLD service travelled to Kenya in February 2026 to take part in the Aberdeenshire Literacies Learning Exchange in partnership with Inspire Nyeri, Kenya.

The Aberdeenshire Kenya Literacies Learning Exchange has built an international partnership between Aberdeenshire Council’s Community Learning and Development Service and Inspire Nyeri, a community-based literacies organisation in Kenya. Through virtual collaboration and an exchange visit to Kenya, the project has enabled staff to learn from innovative, community led literacy approaches used in Nyeri. Insights from the exchange visit have informed the co-development of inclusive, sustainable and outcome focused literacies models for use in Aberdeenshire. The project has strengthened professional learning, enhanced local literacies provision and reduced stigma around literacies learning.

Literacy is a foundational skill that improves life chances, employability, and access to services for children and families in both Kenya and Scotland. Throughout the exchange, the team were able to experience local culture first‑hand, explore traditions, and reflect on the similarities and differences in how communities approach literacy learning. Rich discussions around government policy, community history, and the role of literacy in everyday life created a meaningful learning experience for everyone involved. The opportunity to share perspectives with experienced colleagues in Nyeri was both inspiring and enlightening, strengthening relationships and deepening understanding on both sides.

This page forms part of the legacy of the exchange visit. Feel free to explore the wide range of photos, reflections, stories and learning resources we hold. We would suggest the starting point is the exchange documentary and photo gallery, which you'll find below.


Aberdeenshire Council’s Community Learning and Development (CLD) team were successful in securing an Education Exchange grant from the Scottish Government - Scottish Education Exchange Test and Learn (Year 3). This is the first time this grant has been available to CLD, as it was previously only offered to schools, universities, and colleges.

Six staff members from across the CLD service travelled to Kenya in February 2026 to take part in the Aberdeenshire Literacies Learning Exchange in partnership with Inspire Nyeri, Kenya.

The Aberdeenshire Kenya Literacies Learning Exchange has built an international partnership between Aberdeenshire Council’s Community Learning and Development Service and Inspire Nyeri, a community-based literacies organisation in Kenya. Through virtual collaboration and an exchange visit to Kenya, the project has enabled staff to learn from innovative, community led literacy approaches used in Nyeri. Insights from the exchange visit have informed the co-development of inclusive, sustainable and outcome focused literacies models for use in Aberdeenshire. The project has strengthened professional learning, enhanced local literacies provision and reduced stigma around literacies learning.

Literacy is a foundational skill that improves life chances, employability, and access to services for children and families in both Kenya and Scotland. Throughout the exchange, the team were able to experience local culture first‑hand, explore traditions, and reflect on the similarities and differences in how communities approach literacy learning. Rich discussions around government policy, community history, and the role of literacy in everyday life created a meaningful learning experience for everyone involved. The opportunity to share perspectives with experienced colleagues in Nyeri was both inspiring and enlightening, strengthening relationships and deepening understanding on both sides.

This page forms part of the legacy of the exchange visit. Feel free to explore the wide range of photos, reflections, stories and learning resources we hold. We would suggest the starting point is the exchange documentary and photo gallery, which you'll find below.


Sharing Stories

Six Community Learning and Development Workers travelled to Nyeri in Kenya on 2nd February for 10 days to develop opportunities to learn and share new skills. Learn a bit more about the experiences of everyone involved - below you'll find personal and team reflections, social media links and photos from the exchange visit. 


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  • Share Team Reflections 5 - Chaka/Camp Silver on Facebook Share Team Reflections 5 - Chaka/Camp Silver on Twitter Share Team Reflections 5 - Chaka/Camp Silver on Linkedin Email Team Reflections 5 - Chaka/Camp Silver link

    Team Reflections 5 - Chaka/Camp Silver

    2 days ago

  • Share Team Reflections 4 - Rhythm and Brews on Facebook Share Team Reflections 4 - Rhythm and Brews on Twitter Share Team Reflections 4 - Rhythm and Brews on Linkedin Email Team Reflections 4 - Rhythm and Brews link

    Team Reflections 4 - Rhythm and Brews

    2 days ago

  • Share Team Reflections 3 - Chumvi on Facebook Share Team Reflections 3 - Chumvi on Twitter Share Team Reflections 3 - Chumvi on Linkedin Email Team Reflections 3 - Chumvi link

    Team Reflections 3 - Chumvi

    3 days ago





  • Share Individual Reflections from Kenya on Facebook Share Individual Reflections from Kenya on Twitter Share Individual Reflections from Kenya on Linkedin Email Individual Reflections from Kenya link

    Individual Reflections from Kenya

    5 days ago
    Children's colouring in

    Melanie, Elaine, Donna and Heather kept a reflective journal while in Kenya during the literacies exchange visit. You can read them by clicking on their names above.

    To preserve the authenticity of the experience, the authors have retained the informal writing style used at the time. Entries were written quickly, often on the move, in a fast-paced environment and within a tightly packed itinerary. Notes and photographs were captured in real time, sometimes in challenging conditions, and the writing reflects the immediacy, spontaneity and emotional tone of those moments. The intention is to present an honest record of... Continue reading

    Melanie, Elaine, Donna and Heather kept a reflective journal while in Kenya during the literacies exchange visit. You can read them by clicking on their names above.

    To preserve the authenticity of the experience, the authors have retained the informal writing style used at the time. Entries were written quickly, often on the move, in a fast-paced environment and within a tightly packed itinerary. Notes and photographs were captured in real time, sometimes in challenging conditions, and the writing reflects the immediacy, spontaneity and emotional tone of those moments. The intention is to present an honest record of learning, reflection and lived experience, rather than a polished or revised account.


  • Share Chumvi - Beautiful things are happening here on Facebook Share Chumvi - Beautiful things are happening here on Twitter Share Chumvi - Beautiful things are happening here on Linkedin Email Chumvi - Beautiful things are happening here link

    Chumvi - Beautiful things are happening here

    20 days ago

    The team spent a wonderful day at Chumvi. The travelling librarians have seen this project grow from a school under a tree to what is now a school for all ages in a modified shipping container. We were able to experience first hand what a wonderful place this it.


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    The team spent a wonderful day at Chumvi. The travelling librarians have seen this project grow from a school under a tree to what is now a school for all ages in a modified shipping container. We were able to experience first hand what a wonderful place this it.


    ">

  • Share Community Engagement Chaka - Camp Silver on Facebook Share Community Engagement Chaka - Camp Silver on Twitter Share Community Engagement Chaka - Camp Silver on Linkedin Email Community Engagement Chaka - Camp Silver link

    Community Engagement Chaka - Camp Silver

    20 days ago

    The CLD team were delighted to be invited to support the planning and delivery of a community fun day at Camp Silver. Children and young people attended from nearby Chaka and the local school Milimani. We had a great time engaging with the children and young people. We had some many great activities on offer (see the photos) and they were also able to enjoy a nice meal at the end of the day.

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    The CLD team were delighted to be invited to support the planning and delivery of a community fun day at Camp Silver. Children and young people attended from nearby Chaka and the local school Milimani. We had a great time engaging with the children and young people. We had some many great activities on offer (see the photos) and they were also able to enjoy a nice meal at the end of the day.

    ">

  • Share Aberdeenshire Kenya Literacies Exchange - Documentary on Facebook Share Aberdeenshire Kenya Literacies Exchange - Documentary on Twitter Share Aberdeenshire Kenya Literacies Exchange - Documentary on Linkedin Email Aberdeenshire Kenya Literacies Exchange - Documentary link

    Aberdeenshire Kenya Literacies Exchange - Documentary

    20 days ago

    While the team were in Kenya, John Waiganjo of Gee Twist Films captured a huge amount of raw images and video documenting the exchange trip. The documentary he's created explores the impact of the exchange trip on the Community Learning and Development Staff who made the trip Nyeri in February 2026.

    While the team were in Kenya, John Waiganjo of Gee Twist Films captured a huge amount of raw images and video documenting the exchange trip. The documentary he's created explores the impact of the exchange trip on the Community Learning and Development Staff who made the trip Nyeri in February 2026.

  • Share Kiandogoro - Off the beaten path on Facebook Share Kiandogoro - Off the beaten path on Twitter Share Kiandogoro - Off the beaten path on Linkedin Email Kiandogoro - Off the beaten path link

    Kiandogoro - Off the beaten path

    23 days ago

    The Inspire Nyeri team were keen to share some cultural and down time activities with us...half way through the trip we went of lovely (but very warm) hike through the tea plantation at Kiandogoro. Our wonderful hiking guide, Wahome Kariuki, shared some really interesting facts about the area, what is was like there is times gone past and also his insights into sustainability and conservation in and around Nyeri and the Aberdare National Park. We were lucky to see Colobus monkeys in the tree tops and also to our surprise a Scottish Thistle in the forest.


    ">

    The Inspire Nyeri team were keen to share some cultural and down time activities with us...half way through the trip we went of lovely (but very warm) hike through the tea plantation at Kiandogoro. Our wonderful hiking guide, Wahome Kariuki, shared some really interesting facts about the area, what is was like there is times gone past and also his insights into sustainability and conservation in and around Nyeri and the Aberdare National Park. We were lucky to see Colobus monkeys in the tree tops and also to our surprise a Scottish Thistle in the forest.


    ">

  • Share The power of literacy - Mary on Facebook Share The power of literacy - Mary on Twitter Share The power of literacy - Mary on Linkedin Email The power of literacy - Mary link

    The power of literacy - Mary

    23 days ago

    The Aberdeenshire CLD Team were with Kagwiria and the Travelling Librarians on this day.

    We met Mary and other women from the community who for the first time have been able to write their name and mobile phone numbers. Thanks to the support from the Travelling Librarians and others they have a physical space where they can learn. The new school building provides a welcoming and safe space for not only the children to learn but for the adults in the community also.

    Kagwiria post explains the importance of the adult learning in this context.

    ">

    The Aberdeenshire CLD Team were with Kagwiria and the Travelling Librarians on this day.

    We met Mary and other women from the community who for the first time have been able to write their name and mobile phone numbers. Thanks to the support from the Travelling Librarians and others they have a physical space where they can learn. The new school building provides a welcoming and safe space for not only the children to learn but for the adults in the community also.

    Kagwiria post explains the importance of the adult learning in this context.

    ">

  • Share Turkana is special! - supporting community based literacies programmes on Facebook Share Turkana is special! - supporting community based literacies programmes on Twitter Share Turkana is special! - supporting community based literacies programmes on Linkedin Email Turkana is special! - supporting community based literacies programmes link

    Turkana is special! - supporting community based literacies programmes

    24 days ago

    The Aberdeenshire Community Learning and Development (CLD)Team, prior to arriving in Kenya for the exchange trip, were made aware of a book and resources drive for the Turkana library project. The Turkana library project supports the development of community based literacies for children, young people and adults in very rural/remote Kenya.

    CLD partners, colleagues, friends and families kindly donated resources, including books, stationary, classroom poster etc which the team took with them to Kenya.

    The Facebook post below is Lynne and Caithleen (Aberdeenshire CLD) gifting the resources to Kagwiria Murungi who is leading on this project.


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    The Aberdeenshire Community Learning and Development (CLD)Team, prior to arriving in Kenya for the exchange trip, were made aware of a book and resources drive for the Turkana library project. The Turkana library project supports the development of community based literacies for children, young people and adults in very rural/remote Kenya.

    CLD partners, colleagues, friends and families kindly donated resources, including books, stationary, classroom poster etc which the team took with them to Kenya.

    The Facebook post below is Lynne and Caithleen (Aberdeenshire CLD) gifting the resources to Kagwiria Murungi who is leading on this project.


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Page last updated: 17 Apr 2026, 01:23 PM