1. 'Only the educated are free' (Epictetus, 55AD, Discourses) and with around 24 million girls in Sub-Saharan Africa, within the most impoverished areas, unable to go to school people are condemned to a cycle of poverty

2. 'Just girl power is all we need. We know how we got this far...' (Spice Girls, 1997, the seminal - Spice World)

3. ... The spice girls may have been and gone but the charity Camfed has stayed true to the cause since the 90s  - supporting, educating and empowering young women in African communities through grass roots initiatives and leadership development programs; so that the women can do it for themselves. For these girls an education means they'll be three times less likely to get HIV/AIDS, earn 25 percent more income and have a smaller, healthier family.

4. To enable Camfed to build on the 1 million children's lives they've already improved through education they need money.

This is where we come in (that's right this is collaborative!):

Over the next 5 months I'm going to use my female wiles to join the girl power movement - from baking, to English teaching, to party planning; in Shanghai, London and New York... culminating in the New York marathon on the 7th November where I'm hoping to defy genetics and complete all 26 miles before they put away the cones. The money I raise will go directly towards funding 280 girls through secondary education.

If you're on this page it means you've been privy to these activities or you're just a bit curious. I'll be posting an updated list of things to see and do all with the aim of raising money but any donations via the site are much appreciated if I'm to reach my target of $2,700 by November.

This isn't an empty ask- cakes are to be eaten, dance floors are to be filled and ‘Chinglish’ is to be polished... but of course donations are key and if you can contribute anything it is much appreciated! Moreover I hope you can join me in resurrecting girl power in its truest sense, without the platforms.

Thanks and lots of love

Mel x

To learn more about Camfed please visit their website: http://us.camfed.org/site/PageServer?pagename=home_index

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

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.

So please dig deep and donate now.