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Share Aberdeenshire Kenya Literacies Exchange Programme on FacebookShare Aberdeenshire Kenya Literacies Exchange Programme on TwitterShare Aberdeenshire Kenya Literacies Exchange Programme on LinkedinEmail Aberdeenshire Kenya Literacies Exchange Programme link
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.
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Based on the book "If you look up to the sky ' by Angela Dalton.
Sometimes its the words we tell our children. What shall they remember? What inspires them to remember? Children's books are not just for children. Sometimes they speak to us adults as well.
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This Huntly Then and Now presentation was created by the Huntly Community Learning and Development group, as part of a Working With Others core skills course.
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We use many different ways of communicating in Aberdeenshire and our natives speak English, Doric, Scots and Gaelic. Have a look at the differences and similarities below.
About Aberdeenshire
English Version
Aberdeenshire, located in Northeast Scotland, is a region of dramatic contrasts, famously known as "Scotland’s Castle Country" due to its density of historic fortresses, including the cliff-top Dunnottar Castle and Balmoral, the Royal Family's summer home.
The landscape transitions from the rugged peaks of the Cairngorms National Park in the west to 165 miles of varied coastline featuring sandy bays and towering cliffs. Its major city, Aberdeen, is nicknamed the "Granite City" for its sparkling grey stone architecture.
Culturally, the area is the heartland of the Doric dialect, a unique form of Scots. Economically, it is a global hub for energy and agriculture, serving as a primary base for the North Sea oil and gas industry while maintaining its status as a top producer of world-class beef and seafood.
Visitors can enjoy the Malt Whisky Trail, explore picturesque fishing villages like Pennan, or witness traditional Highland Games. Though winters can be harsh —with January 2026 already seeing heavy snow and school closures—the region remains a premier destination for those seeking authentic Scottish heritage and wild, unspoiled nature.
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Aberdeenshire Council Library Service
Aberdeenshire Council’s Library Service offers a wide-ranging digital collection available with an Online Membership, providing instant access to services such as Libby, BorrowBox, uLibrary and PressReader.
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This short film shows the difference that adult learning can make. Adult Learners, supported by the Community Learning and Development Service at Aberdeenshire Council, explain in their own words what they have learnt and what that learning has meant to them.
Aberdeenshire Kenya Literacies Exchange Programme has finished this stage
Scottish Education Exchange Programme - Test and Learn Application submitted to Scottish Government.
Project Summary: The Aberdeenshire Kenya Literacies Learning Exchange will build 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, the project will enable staff to learn from innovative, community‑led literacy approaches used in Nyeri. Insights will inform the co‑development of inclusive, sustainable and outcome‑focused literacies models for use in Aberdeenshire. The project will strengthen professional learning, enhance local literacies provision, reduce stigma around literacies learning, and create a framework for future international exchange, benefitting learners, families, and communities in both regions.
October 2025 - Funding Awarded
Aberdeenshire Kenya Literacies Exchange Programme has finished this stage
Notification of our successful funding application was received from the Scottish Government at the end of the October.
November 2025 to January 2026 - Preparing for the exchange
Aberdeenshire Kenya Literacies Exchange Programme has finished this stage
Aberdeenshire participant application process (6 staff selected)
International flights booked
Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) secured
Accomodation booked
Programme planning with Inspire Team
Preparation meetings between Aberdeenshire and Nyeri
Risk assessment and financial procedures
Donations and gifts sourced for our hosts
You can find out more about our planning process by going to the Documents section below - Exchange Planning
2nd February 2026 - Travel day
Aberdeenshire Kenya Literacies Exchange Programme has finished this stage
Aberdeenshire team departed Aberdeen Airport at 06.15, travelling via Heathrow arriving in Nairobi at 21.40.
First time accommodation is reached around midnight
3 - 11th February - Exchange Programme
Aberdeenshire Kenya Literacies Exchange Programme has finished this stage
Tuesday 3rd - Travel from Nairobi to Nyeri. Introductions and familiarisation at Inpsire
Wednesday 4th - Inspire delivery programme at library
Thursday 5th - Inspire delivery programme at library and Townview Academy. Live session with CLD Managers Scotland Conference in Glasgow
Friday 6th - Chumvi Community School, Laikipia
Saturday 7th - Chaka community event and Rhythm and Brews in the evening
Sunday 8th - Cultural immersions, visit to Kiandogo
Monday 9th - Nyahururu prison visit
Tuesday 10th - Inspire delivery programme at library
Wednesday 11th - Inspire delivery pogramme at library, project evaluation and next steps
A more in depth programme can be found using this link
12th February 2026 - Travel
Aberdeenshire Kenya Literacies Exchange Programme has finished this stage
Aberdeenshire team depart Niarobi on the 11th, arriving back into a very cold Aberdeen mid morning 12th February.
March 2026
Aberdeenshire Kenya Literacies Exchange Programme is currently at this stage