Aberdeenshire Kenya Literacies Exchange Programme

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Aberdeenshire Council’s Community Learning and Development (CLD) team has been 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 have been selected to take part in an Aberdeenshire Literacies Learning Exchange in Nyeri, Kenya, from 2nd to 12th February 2026.

This project will build on established connections to foster relationships between CLD Workers in Aberdeenshire and Inspire Nyeri, a community-based literacies project in Kenya. The exchange will enable CLD Workers from Aberdeenshire to visit Nyeri and actively participate in literacy learning and delivery. By learning from literacy practices in Kenya, the project aims to develop more inclusive and sustainable, outcome-focused literacy learning opportunities for our communities and families in Aberdeenshire.

Literacy is a foundational skill that improves life chances, employability, and access to services for children and families in both Kenya and Scotland. By sharing and adapting Inspire Nyeri’s community-based literacy approaches, the project aims to enhance lifelong and life-wide learning in both countries—key to breaking the cycle of poverty and supporting children and families.

You can keep up to date with our project by following our team journal, we plan to provide a range of videos, photographs and reflections while we are away.

For our Kenyan partners and friends we are keen to share Aberdeenshire with you! You'll find lots of information about our service, the team and also resources that are available to you.



Aberdeenshire Council’s Community Learning and Development (CLD) team has been 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 have been selected to take part in an Aberdeenshire Literacies Learning Exchange in Nyeri, Kenya, from 2nd to 12th February 2026.

This project will build on established connections to foster relationships between CLD Workers in Aberdeenshire and Inspire Nyeri, a community-based literacies project in Kenya. The exchange will enable CLD Workers from Aberdeenshire to visit Nyeri and actively participate in literacy learning and delivery. By learning from literacy practices in Kenya, the project aims to develop more inclusive and sustainable, outcome-focused literacy learning opportunities for our communities and families in Aberdeenshire.

Literacy is a foundational skill that improves life chances, employability, and access to services for children and families in both Kenya and Scotland. By sharing and adapting Inspire Nyeri’s community-based literacy approaches, the project aims to enhance lifelong and life-wide learning in both countries—key to breaking the cycle of poverty and supporting children and families.

You can keep up to date with our project by following our team journal, we plan to provide a range of videos, photographs and reflections while we are away.

For our Kenyan partners and friends we are keen to share Aberdeenshire with you! You'll find lots of information about our service, the team and also resources that are available to you.



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 Caithleen's Journal 4 on Facebook Share Caithleen's Journal 4 on Twitter Share Caithleen's Journal 4 on Linkedin Email Caithleen's Journal 4 link

    Caithleen's Journal 4

    about 2 months ago

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    Caithleen's Journal 3

    about 2 months ago

  • Share CLD Team Reflections from Kenya on Facebook Share CLD Team Reflections from Kenya on Twitter Share CLD Team Reflections from Kenya on Linkedin Email CLD Team Reflections from Kenya link

    CLD Team Reflections from Kenya

    about 2 months ago

  • Share Caithleen's Journal 2 on Facebook Share Caithleen's Journal 2 on Twitter Share Caithleen's Journal 2 on Linkedin Email Caithleen's Journal 2 link

    Caithleen's Journal 2

    about 2 months ago

  • Share Caithleen's Journal on Facebook Share Caithleen's Journal on Twitter Share Caithleen's Journal on Linkedin Email Caithleen's Journal link

    Caithleen's Journal

    about 2 months ago

  • Share Jambo! on Facebook Share Jambo! on Twitter Share Jambo! on Linkedin Email Jambo! link

    Jambo!

    about 2 months ago




    A Monday 2am alarm for most of us and the longest commute to work.

    But we made it to Kenya around 9.30pm (Kenya time)

    A chaotic experience through passport control / immigration to have our passports stamped and ETA (Electronic Travel Authority) checked.

    Then baggage collection and our transfer to the airport hotel for one night of luxury before we continue our journey to Nyeri.



    Jambo -It’s a cheerful, tourist‑friendly greeting you’ll often hear, especially in places where visitors go

  • Share Donna Anderson on Facebook Share Donna Anderson on Twitter Share Donna Anderson on Linkedin Email Donna Anderson link

    Donna Anderson

    2 months ago

    Location: Mintlaw, Aberdeenshire

    Role: Community Learning and Development Assistant

    I live in Strichen and spend much of my time with my two sons, Hamish (15) and Bruce (14). We enjoy walking our rescue dog, Storm, around the local area, and football plays a big part in our family life — whether it’s supporting my sons or going to Pittodrie to watch Aberdeen Football Club. I also have a real love for cooking, which I see as another way of bringing people together.

    I work as a Community Learning and Development Assistant based at Mintlaw Academy, alongside my role as a... Continue reading

  • Share Elaine Strachan on Facebook Share Elaine Strachan on Twitter Share Elaine Strachan on Linkedin Email Elaine Strachan link

    Elaine Strachan

    2 months ago

    Location: Laurencekirk, South Aberdeenshire

    Role: Community Learning and Development Worker

    I live in a small town in South Aberdeenshire and enjoy spending time with my family. I live with my husband and my thirteen-year-old daughter, who keeps me busy. I also have a 29-year-old son who lives in Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland, which is a lovely place to visit.

    I like going to the gym and enjoy working out regularly, which helps keep me fit and healthy. I love being part of the gym community, where we encourage and support each other. In addition, I enjoy attempting arts... Continue reading

  • Share Melanie Johnston on Facebook Share Melanie Johnston on Twitter Share Melanie Johnston on Linkedin Email Melanie Johnston link

    Melanie Johnston

    2 months ago

    Location: Stuartfield, Aberdeenshire

    Role: Community Learning and Development Worker

    I live in Stuartfield, which is a small rural village in North Aberdeenshire. I enjoy spending time with my 11-year-old daughter and other family and friends. We enjoy card games, board games and going on outings to local parks and activity centres. I am an avid Aberdeen Football Club fan and go to as many games as I can. I also support Scotland Football Club. I work as a Community Learning and Development Worker (Adult Learning) in Aberdeenshire Council, North Aberdeenshire (Buchan), supporting learning opportunities for adults and families.

    In my... Continue reading

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    Heather West

    2 months ago

    Location: Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire

    Role: Community Learning and Development Worker

    Hello, or “Fit like?”, as they say in our part of Scotland. I live in Fraserburgh on the North East coast of Scotland with my husband Robbie, our two sons, Scott (17) and Ryan (14), our cat Stevie (10) and our Border Collie, Miller (4).

    I work in Adult Learning, a role I find very rewarding. Helping people who have faced educational challenges to learn new skills and build confidence is something I’m passionate about. It’s inspiring to see individuals who once believed they couldn’t manage certain tasks involving reading, writing... Continue reading

Page last updated: 27 Mar 2026, 11:35 PM