HAVING spent 18 months raising the money, a group of 23 Royal School Year 11 and 12 students took a trip of a lifetime to Ghana.

During their stay, pupils and accompanying staff worked at Dornorgbor and The Lord’s Academy schools, teaching classes and making concrete bricks to build a perimeter wall and toilet block.

They also visited Anloga market, where they saw women weaving traditional Ghanaian fabrics and were measured up for their own traditional African garments.

Students enjoyed learning how to play a Mancala board game called Oware.

The group bought gifts with them, many of which were donated by the wider Royal School community, including pencils, paper, books and stationery for the two schools and clothes and shoes for the community.

During their stay, the group embarked on an adventure weekend in the central region of Ghana.

They were taken on a tour of Cape Coast Castle and visited Kakum National Park rainforest.

Staff member David Guest said: “On our final day in the schools, we were given a warm send off, with much dancing, drumming and exchanging of gifts and handshakes.

“There is no doubt that for our young people, this trip was hugely enriching and a life-changing experience.”