Story
<p>Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In Jan 2010 I found myself volunteering with Village by Village in rural Ghana – the overland trip we had embarked on to deliver vehicles to charities in Ghana was cancelled for a number of reasons, but everything happens for a reason, right?! I’m so happy I got the chance to spend time with this charity – to see what it is they do, exactly how funds are spent and how we could get involved on the ground (well, actually sometimes below ground!) ourselves. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We were able to get stuck in right from the start, meeting village elders, identifying new villages, attempting to negotiate buying cement, digging new pits, making bricks (the cement mixed with water and sand onsite) and even trying my hand at making a film about the importance of using a latrine. I also managed to find time to play numerous games of ‘snap’ with the village kids.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cheesy as it sounds, this charity really does make a difference – sanitation saves lives.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Village by Village don’t just ‘provide’ latrines, they motivate the receiving community to get involved in every stage. By getting the locals involved in each project, not only provides an opportunity to engage them but also provides them with a sense of ownership so that it is maintained and looked after in the future. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most importantly the communities are <strong>educated </strong>about the importance of the work they are getting involved in. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Village by Village don’t stop there, they also fund and build wells providing safe access to clean water. Furthermore, they help provide school uniforms to the families most in need in the region.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I feel very privileged to have had this opportunity to visit the different projects and it has certainly changed my outlook on things I took for granted. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although it was very humid, hot work, I am keen to get back out there to help with current projects and to see how those that were helped in 2010 are getting on now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To this end, I am looking to fundraise for the charity before I go. </span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Every penny will go direct to Village by Village - I have seen first-hand how funds are spent and I am looking forward to coming back and telling/showing you how these new funds will be spent in 2011/12!</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.</p>
<p>
<p>So please dig deep and donate now.</p>
</p>