David’s contribution spans three decades of leadership and personal commitment to the children and young people in Perthshire and the Strath Kenya Project, an initiative founded by Strathallan School in 2008 to improve access to education and life opportunities for destitute children across Nairobi, Kenya.
Under his guidance, Strath Kenya has supported children at the Kenya Children’s Home, girls at the Soila Maasai Girls Rescue School in Suswa, and families in the Mashimoni district of the Kibera slum in Nairobi. In Mashimoni, Strath Kenya supports children in accessing education, while also providing care for babies at the Kenya Children’s Home orphanage. In Suswa, the project focuses on girls’ education in partnership with the Soila Rescue School, and further east in Kilifi it works with physically disabled primary school children.
In addition to educational support, a range of practical and sustainable projects have been undertaken, including the construction of a water tank, the provision of goats for a ‘rent-a-goat’ microbusiness scheme, and more recently the development of a beekeeping project to produce beeswax, honey and candles.
Now in its 17th year, Strath Kenya, guided by the quiet and dedicated work of David Barnes, continues to make an enormous difference to the lives of young people across Kenya.
Over more than a decade, Strathallan pupils and alumni have actively participated in this work, raising substantial funds through concerts, performances, community events and initiatives such as ‘Tasty Tuesday’, a student-led bacon roll break-time event. Pupils have raised tens of thousands of pounds to support education, care and long-term development projects, ensuring that support is both meaningful and sustainable.
A pupil involved in the Kenya Project said, “Mr Barnes helped us understand that fundraising wasn’t just about raising money, but about changing lives. Knowing that what we did at school could genuinely help children in Kenya made us feel part of something much bigger than ourselves.”
David’s leadership has ensured that the Kenya Project has become a defining example of Strathallan’s commitment to global citizenship, compassion and service, inspiring generations of pupils to look beyond their immediate community and consider their role in the wider world.
Mark Lauder, Head of Strathallan School, commented, “David’s dedication to the Kenya Project over so many years exemplifies the very best of service. His work has transformed lives in Kenya while profoundly shaping the values and outlook of our pupils here at Strathallan. This honour is richly deserved.”
David Barnes said, “I am humbled to receive this recognition. Working with children and young people, their parents and colleagues has been a great privilege. The Kenya Project has always been about partnership and shared purpose, and this award reflects the generosity and commitment of the Strathallan pupils and community who have supported this work with such enthusiasm and heart.”
Strathallan School warmly congratulates David Barnes on this well-deserved honour and celebrates his outstanding contribution to voluntary work.
