On October 3 I will join 8 other women on a trek to Everest Base Camp led by Susan Harper Todd and in aid of the charity Women for Women International UK.
 
Although this will be an incredible challenge for me (see my training picture on the left!) it is nothing compared to the challenges women face in countries affected by conflict.  By undertaking such a big challenge (and the training is just the beginning) our group of trekkers hopes to highlight how all women everywhere are connected through our challenges - how important it is to support each other in our efforts to make this world a better place for all of us.
 
Women for Women International UK is part of a world wide organization that strives to help women in war torn countries create a better life for themselves and for their children.  There are remarkable stories everywhere - stories like that of Pari Gul, a 42-year-old Afghan woman, who after taking part in Women for Women’s first vocational training session in Afghanistan in 2002, took up stone polishing and as a result now heads a profitable, 500-employee stone cutting and polishing company in the Afghan capital, Kabul.   Despite being threatened, harassed and accused of corrupting Afghan women by the local community, Pari Gul has persevered and been able to send her eight children, including three daughters, to university – a luxury she did not have. “Afghan women face so many problems in Afghanistan – beating, stoning, killing,” Pari Gul says. “Here we feel so lucky to be able to be a part of Women for Women, to learn skills, help our families, and educate our children.” 
 
Stories like this give me goose bumps – just as I am sure the view from Everest base camp will also give my goose bumps.  I am appealing to you to help me turn my goose bumps into tangible help for women whose daily lives are a bigger challenge than I can imagine   I have committed to raise £10,000  - I am covering the costs of the trip so your donation, will be a direct donation to Women for Women to support women in war-torn countries.  In addition, through the generous support of the Sir Alec Reed Foundation, all donations I raise will be matched in December, enabling us to support even more women.  How’s that for goose bumps?
 
Please help me to reach my goal of £10,000 and support me in my challenge to reach Everest Base Camp by sending your donation made payable to Women for Women International, to me (54 Parliament Hill, London, NW3 2TL) or if you would like to speak to someone at Women for Women you can call Isabel Clark on +44 (0)207 922 7774.  If you prefer to give through my Justgiving page you can do that as well but all donations made through the website will NOT be matched by the Reed Foundation.
 
To learn more about how Women for Women International support women like Pari Gul and their theory of change, please visit the Women for Women International website at www.womenforwomen.org.uk
 
Thank you in advance for your support – it literally means the world,

Kirsten