In September I will be traveling to Kampala in Uganda with Retrak and #ConnectingHR.

Retrak is a charity, based in the North West of England, whose vision is for 'no child to be forced to live on the street'. When a friend of mine set up this scheme mainly aimed at HR/Recruitment/L&D Professionals to raise funds for Retrak and actually go out to work with the kids and the local volunteers who help them, I just felt I had to be involved. I've been looking at doing this for the last couple of years, but 2018 is THE year and I am determined to make this happen and make as much as a difference as I can.

More details about what we do out there can be found in Ian Pettigrew's blog about last year's trip: http://www.kingfishercoaching.com/reflections-on-connecting-hr-africa-2017/

We will be providing management and team training for local volunteers whilst also spending time with street kids to help to show them that someone does care. I will pay for all of the travelling costs (of course!), but I have also committed to raise at least £2,000.00 which will go direct to the charity. 

Just the thought of small children living on their own, on the streets, in absolute poverty, open to the dangers of crime, abuse, hunger and neglect upsets me and I know I will find this one of the most challenging experiences of my life, but it's time to see what I can do to help - if only in a small way.

Retrak builds real trust, so that children who are often frightened and traumatised choose to come to them for food, shelter, safety, counselling, life skills in a safe place where they can be children. There is also education activity to try to prevent children getting into this situation in the first place.

Please help me to take part in this challenge and help Retrak make a difference.

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, so it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.