Victory Boxing nelson

KENYA - April 2025

Celestielle Charitable Trust, in partnership with the Great Plains Foundation, is proud to support another life-changing journey for four students and two mentors from Victory Boxing Nelson. Founded to positively shape young lives, Victory Boxing empowers youth through values like respect, determination, and kindness. In April 2025, this deserving group will travel to Kenya for an unforgettable experience of cultural exchange, learning, and personal growth.

For these four students, the journey will be a bold step beyond their comfort zones. For some, it will be their first time on a plane or their first time leaving New Zealand. With open hearts and minds, they’ll step into a new culture, ready to grow, connect, and be challenged.

And their impact is already underway. In the lead-up to the trip, the group raised funds at a community event to support a school in the Maasai Mara. Wanting to do even more, they went above and beyond, raising additional funds to support Tabasamu and Elimu, two organizations dedicated to education and well-being in Kenya.

This is the power of youth, leadership, and community in action. These students are not just witnessing change, they’re becoming part of it. Their journey is just beginning, but the impact they’ll make will last a lifetime.

Fundraising

student Testimonials

Truly an experience I'll never forget; from meeting the kids in Kibera, to spending 7 wonderful days living alongside the wildlife in the Masai Mara. My cup has never been so full. 

Nothing could’ve prepared me for what life would be like in Africa. From the busy streets and the heavy rains and thunderstorms in the Masai Mara, to the guards living in the safari that stay up all night to make sure everyone is safe. I'm so grateful for their hospitality and passion for working together - as a family.

A big highlight was preparing dinner for all of the staff and being taught how to make flowers out of table cloths.

Although it broke my heart to leave, I now feel so sure of myself and what I want to do. I hope to study tourism and hospitality, one day.

I'll always remember this trip and keep the memories as closely to my heart as possible. 

Until next time, Africa. 

Melody

I don’t know how to express how thankful and grateful I am for this trip of a lifetime. 

I never dreamed of having an opportunity like this. It brought me so many first experiences that, at times, truly overwhelmed me - bringing waves of emotions and tears of gratitude.

It was a trip full of contrasts, from opulent motels to the largest slum in the world. Vibrant, colourful, strong people - dancing and singing joyfully, to desolate orphaned children starved of food, care and physical contact.

I have always loved nature, but seeing the wild animals on our safaris in the Masi plans was absolutely amazing.

Another stand out experience for me was when we washed the feet of children before putting on their brand new shoes. 

These are only a few of the many amazing experiences. It has opened up my whole being and I feel like absolutely anything is now possible in my future. 

I will never forget my trip to Africa and will always cherish the memories I have of the people I met and the experiences I had.

Salote

Words cannot express how thankful I am for the trip of a life time. 

It's hard to explain with words how I feel; this was an experience you need to have to understand.

One of the biggest take home things for me was how grateful and humble the Kenyans are, for the little they have. We can certainly take a lesson from this. An example of this was when we were in the Kibera Slum - we were walking down a concrete path in one of the markets and there were four boys, who were about 6 or 7 years in age, that had an old plastic bottle filled with sand that they were using as a football. Seeing how happy they were, and how much fun they made out of it, pulled on my heart strings.

Reflecting on this and applying it to NZ life - I realize we tend to take a lot for granted.

I am forever grateful for this life changing opportunity you provided to us all. 

Ruben

CHAPERONE Testimonials

There are so many highlights that will stay with me for my lifetime. One especially being Molibany School.

The gift that CCT provides to the young people is life-changing in ways we may not even see for a while. It will still shape them as they mature and I look forward to watching from the sidelines as this happens.

What you do is so very deep and special and the gift of travel is far more than just planes ride to another country for a look around.

Everything that was planned for us to do had impact. A special moment for me was something as seemingly simple as planting a tree, but it went deeper than that. Literally putting down roots on the Motherland was quite emotional and special.

Shaz

Africa is special. It really makes a lasting impact - the land, people, the wildlife.

The teenagers we took have had a life changing experience and they made the most of every moment.

Watching them take it all in was the biggest highlight for me. As well as seeing their self confidence grow in a 2-week period.

The entire trip is about growth as individuals and how you can open up new pathways for your life. The importance of giving to those less fortunate and appreciating what you have - this can give you the most powerful growth as a young person and an adult.

Thank you doesn't really do it justice for what you have done for our young people. I'm very proud that Victory Boxing has partnerships that give our youth such incredible opportunities.

Paul