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Hi, I hope you feel you can support me in what I am expecting to be an eventful and worthwhile trip this summer! In July I am flying out to Kenya with the charity, The Kenyan Orphan Project (KOP) with 18 other medical students from Cardiff. KOP was actually formed by three medical students in 2001, and they are still very involved in the charity and all are now qualified doctors.

However, before we are allowed to go, the charity requires us to raise £750 each. All of this money goes directly to the charity. As a participant in the scheme, I will cover the cost of my fare, food and accommodation while I am in Kenya.

This year, all the money raised will be used to rebuild Alendu Primary School. The school's buildings are made from traditional materials; principally wood and mud, and the walls of many classrooms are simply crumbling away. This is incredibly hazardous for the pupils and many classes are taken outside in the shelter of the trees. It is Cardiff's aim to raise enough money to finance the construction of four new classrooms- which I am going to help build while I'm out there!

KOP's aims are to provide high quality, affordable health care and other social support to vulnerable people living in the Kisumu region of Western Kenya, including orphans, widows, and street children. It achieves this by working with local charities and organisations in the area and supporting many projects. Part of my time there will also be spent in the local clinic, observing and helping out with basic tasks, which I am confident will be great experience for me going forward.

So far, KOP has been involved in establishing a hospital, a health clinic, a primary and secondary school, two community/feeding centres and a support and rehabilitation centre for street children. Hopefully by the time I leave, and with your help, the charity can add another primary school to that list!

I appreciate that I am asking for sponsorship in a tough economic climate- but if there is any amount, however small that you can donate for what I believe is a really worthy cause, I would be really grateful!

Thanks very much!

Emily xxx