A RIBBLE Valley school is looking to set up links with Kenya following a trip by one of its pupils.

Eleven-year-old Jasper Green has just returned from a third visit to the African country with his mum, who is involved with field studies in Kenya.

He spent a week at the Maasai Centre for Field Studies, which is jointly owned by a local community and the University of Central Lancashire’s (UCLan), Jasper, a pupil at Oakhill College, in Whalley, said he had made many young friends on his visits.

He took with him a basketball gift along with stationery from the school to distribute to children at Enkii primary school.

And now the school is hoping to arrange a trip of its students.

Jasper said: “We visit quite a lot of schools when we go over. They can’t afford concrete so they are all made from wood, it is very different to our schools. “All the children are really nice though and I have made a few friends over there and like talking to them.”

Jasper, who lives in Whalley, said one of the highlights of the trip was the chance to go on early morning safaris and see a variety of wildlife, and seeing a pride of lions feeding on their newly killed buffalo prey on one safari.

The central purpose of the visit was to spend time with the local Maasai people and children, by visiting their villages and schools.

As the Maasai men had to move elsewhere with their cattle to find grazing and water, Jasper and his group spent time in the homes helping the women collect water from the river, gathering firewood and playing with the children.

He said: “It is amazing to see these villages that the people have built themselves, it is good to see how differently some people live compared to us.”

Oakhill College is now hoping to arrange a trip of its students following Jasper's experiences, with the aim of helping young people in Kenya.

Maria Bland, registar at the college, said: "We are liasing with Jasper and his mum to try a co-ordinate a college trip to the region some time next year."

Jasper, who has previously spent six weeks in the country, is also looking forward to another trip to see his new friends next year.