Weymouth teacher set for voluntary work in Kenya

A teacher from Weymouth is set to embark on an African adventure this week, as he takes a short career break to get involved with voluntary work in Kenya.

Andy Dukes will work with 20 schools in the Maara District, training teachers on more effective styles of education, as well as helping to boost the achievements of local schoolchildren, the Dorset Echo reports.

Mr Dukes, 57, spent a few weeks in Kenya last summer and since then an idea has developed to offer his experience through voluntary work with teaching staff in the region.

"Teaching in Kenya is old-fashioned and they want to get up to speed because it's a very fast-developing country. I initially thought I'm too old to do this but then I thought, go for it," he added.

In the long term, Mr Dukes is hoping to establish his own social enterprise offering gap year trips to Kenya for young people looking to gain valuable work experience abroad.

A recent survey by the British Chambers of Commerce found many young people in the UK appear to be lacking the suitable skills to enter employment.

Find out about gap year benefits