VFM Learners’ Academic Trip to Kisumu
Some school days are remembered because of what was taught in a classroom. Others are remembered for a lifetime because of what learners were able to see, touch, experience and discover. For the learners of Victoria Friendly Montessori School (VFM), the academic trip to Kisumu was one of those unforgettable days.
It was a day of learning beyond the classroom, exploration, friendship, adventure, laughter and discovery. From the moment the learners arrived at school the evening before the trip to the time they returned home tired but excited, the experience demonstrated what happens when education is intentionally connected to the real world.
The Excitement Began the Evening Before
The anticipation had already taken over the school before the buses even arrived. As the eve of the trip approached, learners who were unable to make it to school early enough for the following morning were welcomed to spend the night at school. After supper, they settled down for what could only be described as a very short night of sleep. The excitement of the following day's adventure was simply too much. For many of the learners, this was not just another school activity. It was a chance to travel together, see new places, meet experiences they had only heard about and create memories with their friends and teachers
6:00 AM: The Journey Begins
By 6:00 a.m., the buses had departed from VFM, carrying excited learners and teachers towards Kisumu City. The journey itself became part of the experience. Music filled the buses, learners sang along, talked with their friends and watched the changing scenery along the way. The drivers and teachers also ensured that the learners were comfortable, making necessary stops whenever they needed to stretch, refresh themselves or use washroom facilities. Approximately three hours later, the buses arrived in Kisumu. And the real adventure began.
Kisumu Museum: History Comes Alive
Upon arrival in the city, the group split into two so that the learners could enjoy different learning experiences. One group headed to the Kisumu Museum,where learners were introduced to exhibitions and cultural displays relating to the Luo community. Here,history was no longer simply something to read about in a textbook. The learners were able to see cultural objects, traditional displays and representations of the way communities lived and interacted with their environment.
One of the most memorable experiences was the visit to the traditional Luo homestead. The learners were able to explore a physical representation of traditional life while learning about the culture, traditions and social organisation of the Luo community. Then came one of the highlights of the entire trip; the traditional dance.
The learners watched with excitement as traditional dancers brought the cultural experience to life. For many of them, it was a fascinating opportunity to witness cultural expression in a completely different way. The smiles, excitement and enthusiasm from thelearners made it clear that this was learning they would remember.
Discovering Life Under Water
The visitto the museum also exposed the learners to aquaculture and different forms of aquatic life. They were fascinated by fish kept in enclosed aquarium environments and were able to observe different species up close, including fish commonly kept in controlled environments such as tilapia, catfishand ornamental fish. For learners growing up in a lakeside community, this was particularly meaningful. They were able to connect what they already know about Lake Victoria and fishing with ideas about fish farming, conservation and controlled aquatic environments.
The museum experience continued with reptiles, including turtles, snakes and crocodiles. For some learners, curiosity quickly turned into courage. For others, the reptiles were fascinating from a safe distance! Eitherway, it was another opportunity to encounter living things that many learners had previously only seen in books, photographs or on television.
Breakfast: A Well-Deserved Break
After aneventful morning, the learners were ready for breakfast. Tea,chapati and mandazi were served, and judging from the enthusiasm around the tables, the food was very much appreciated. With renewed energy, the learners were ready for the next part of their adventure.
Aviation: Seeing the World Beyond the Road
The groups once again separated, with some learners proceeding to explore aviation and aircraft. For many of the learners, this was their first opportunity to get close to an aviation environment and see aircraft beyond the pictures they encounter in books or on screens.
Questionscame naturally.
How does an aircraft fly? How do pilots control it?What happens at an airport? How does an aircraft land safely? The opportunity to observe aviation infrastructure helped turn these questions into a practical learning experience. It was apowerful reminder that education is not confined to a classroom, and that sometimes the best way to inspire a child's imagination is to allow them to see possibilities for themselves.
Impala Sanctuary: Nature, Wildlife and a Little Courage
While one group explored aviation, another proceeded to Impala Sanctuary, where learners encountered wildlife in a natural conservation setting. The experience was exciting, fascinating and, for some, just a little frightening! The learners were able to see animals that they would normally encounter only in books, documentaries or television programmes. Being able to observe them in person created an entirely different level of appreciation for wildlife and conservation.
There were moments of excitement, moments of caution and plenty of questions. For the learners, however, one thing was certain: This was an experience they would not easily forget.
Sunset Hotel: Where Learning Met Pure Fun
As the day progressed, the trip reached one of its most anticipated moments. The learners arrived at Sunset Hotel,where they were given time to relax, play and enjoy themselves after a long day of exploration. And what happened next was perhaps the loudest expression of happiness of the entire trip.
Thes wimming pool became an instant attraction.
Learners had an opportunity to swim, play in the water and simply enjoy being children. The younger learners were equally included, with activities such as toy van driving, a bouncing castle and swings providing plenty of entertainment. For the teachers, this was also an opportunity to see another side of the learners their joy, confidence, friendships and personalities outside the normal classroom environment. The swimming session was more than recreation. It provided learners with an opportunity to relax, interact and build social confidence while enjoying a safe and supervised environment.
A Lunch to Remember
Then came lunch. And what a lunch it was! The learners were treated to a generous meal that included fish, rice, kales, ugali, meat, drinks and more. Interestingly, given that many of our learners come from the lakeside region, fish proved to be a particular favourite for many of them. After a full day of learning and adventure, the meal was not only delicious it was also a welcome opportunity to recharge before the final part of the day's programme.
Discovering a New World at the Mall
From the hotel, the learners proceeded to a shopping mall. For some learners, this was their first experience of a large-scale modern shopping mall. The size of the building, the many entrances and exits, different shops, escalators and the sheer number of people created a completely new environment for some of our younger learners. At one point, the many entrances and pathways were enough to leave some of the learners wondering which way they had come from! But that too became part of the learning experience. They were able to observe how modern commercial spaces operate, interact with different environments and, of course, enjoy some personal shopping. By the time the group left the mall, many learners were proudly carrying their chosen purchases small reminders of a very big day.
To Our Parents: This Experience Was Made Possible Because of You
Behind every successful school experience is a parent who makes it possible. We sincerely appreciate the parents and guardians who met their obligations and, in doing so, enabled their children to participate in this experience. At VFM,our approach is intentionally designed so that learners are able to qualify for the school trip without a trip charge.We believe this is an important part of our commitment to providing value to families.
Your comitments do not simply just keep the school running. They support classrooms, learning resources, teachers, technology, learner welfare, co-curricular activities and experiences such as this one that give children opportunities to discover the world beyond their immediate surroundings.
We understand that every family has its own circumstances, and we remain grateful for every effort made towards giving our learners these opportunities. Our hope is that, in the years ahead, every VFM learner will have the opportunity to experience such moments.
Our Teachers: The Captains Behind the Experience
A successful trip is not created by buses, destinations and activities alone. It iscreated by people who take responsibility for the safety, wellbeing and experience of every learner. Our teachers deserve special recognition for the role they played throughout the trip. They gave their time, energy and attention to ensure that learners were supervised, guided and supported throughout the journey. From the early morning departure to the late-evening return, our teachers remained responsible for the learners not only as educators, but also as caregivers, guides and guardians. They answered questions, helped learners navigate unfamiliar environments, supervised activities, attended to individual needs and ensured that learners remained safe and accounted for. They truly were the captains of this journey.
Appreciation to VFM Management
We alsoextend our sincere appreciation to the VFMmanagement for supporting and facilitating the trip. Providing learners with meaningful educational experiences requires planning, resources, coordination and institutional commitment.The management's support reflects VFM's broader commitment to developing learners who are not only academically prepared, but also confident, curious, socially aware and able to connect their classroom learning with the world around them.
This tour is therefore another example of the school's commitment to child-centred, holistic and experiential learning.
A Message to Our Partners and Friends
For ourpartners, supporters and friends of VFM, this experience offers a glimpse into
what your support helps make possible. A learner who stands fascinated before an aircraft, asks questions about a crocodile, watches a traditional Luo dance, observes fish in an aquarium, explores a large shopping centre or shares a meal with classmates is experiencing education in a form that can remain with them for years.
These experiences help build curiosity,confidence, social skills, independence and a wider understanding of the world. The impact of education is therefore not always measured by examination scores alone. Sometimes,it can be seen in the eyes of a child discovering something for the first time.
We thank our parents for making it possible, our teachers for guiding the journey, our management for supporting it, and our partners and friends for believing in the vision of VFM.