A group of students and staff from a college in Ipswich travelled 4,000 miles to Africa to help support a sport and educational project overseen by an Ipswich Town legend.
The trip led by Simon Milton came four years after it was initially planned, with the Covid pandemic putting a halt on the 2020 plans.
He was joined by eight students and three staff from Suffolk New College as part of a team up with the charity Futurestars.
They have just returned from the 10-day "life-changing" trip to the African country.
While there, the college supported one of the six schools the charity supports by taking part in lessons and overseeing physical education activities.
Sonny Gibbons, 16 from Ipswich, said: "This has been life-changing.
"To see people who have virtually nothing but seem happier than us makes you question what is really important."
Amelie Bardeaux, 19 from Ashfield, added: "This was a new opportunity and a good experience."
Lee Mandley, director of service industries and science at the college, said: "I don't think I've ever been more proud of a set of students in my professional career.
"They all had to raise over £2,000 to fund this trip and the compassion, empathy and care they had for the people they met was life affirming."
Simon Milton said: "To finally get this off the ground with a great group who fundraised for themselves was amazing.
"For Suffolk New College to decide that we are a charity of choice they are going to support speaks volumes about the college.
"The students and staff will now become our ambassadors and I really believe that this is the beginning of something special between the college and Futurestars."
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