Depending on the weather, on a day between 11th September to 18th September I will be taking on one of life's biggest challenges as I leave the beach in Dover and start my solo swim to France.  

Not being the fastest swimmer it should hopefully take me between 15 to 18 hours. The strict rules mean that I can only wear a normal swimming costume, hat and goggles - nothing more. 

I know there are many emails that circulate around asking for sponsorship for various charities but for once I think, and hope you agree, that this challenge is worthy of my request for support. I have been in training for the last two years, getting up before 6.00am every day and heading to the pool.   

Camfed is a charity based on the belief that it is better to fight poverty in rural Africa by educating girls and investing in their economic independence rather than us constantly trying to fund and manage this vital economic balance.   

Two examples of how Camfed is supporting women to make a better life for themselves and their community are shown below.  

Con will be on the supporting boat keeping friends and family updated on my progress if you are interested in getting these text message please send me you mobile number.

A huge thank you in advance for your support.

Sue

xxx

  

Beatrice

When poverty forced Beatrice Kinyeli to drop out of secondary school, her future seemed bleak. But after attending her first meeting of Camfed’s unique alumni network (Cama), she gained the courage – and the capital – to start her own business. She came up with the idea of renting out bicycles.

“The day I opened, I had a line of customers,” she says proudly. “I had new bicycles and I was renting them cheaper than anyone else. I was able to pay back my loan and I am applying for a larger loan to expand my business.”

Thanks to her business, Beatrice has been able to create a virtuous cycle of change – for this generation and beyond.

Cecilia

Camfed supports girls like Cecilia who lost both her parents by the time she was eight years old.  Despite all the love that her grandmother could offer her, she could not afford the costs of sending her to school, and Cecilia was sure that her education was over.

With Camfed’s support, Cecilia was able to return to school and resume her studies, a day she will never forget.

“All the sorrow I had felt about dropping out of school left my body.  I realised that I was never going to have to worry about my education again. And this thought filled me with happiness and relief. I could see that I had a future.”