When you educate a girl in Africa.........everything changes...

She’ll be three times less likely to get HIV/AIDS, earn 25 percent more income and reinvest 90% in her family.....

In sub-Saharan Africa, 24 million girls can't afford to go to school. A girl may marry as young as 13 and has a one in 22 chance of dying in childbirth. One in six of her children will die before the age of five.

"I believe educating girls is crucial, especially since our region is so devastated by HIV/AIDS and many of the children are orphans. Educating girls is the only way. If you are not educated, that’s the end of you" — Doreen Mukanzo, TV show host, head of television production and operations at ZNBC and Camfed Zambia Board Member
In September 2010, I am joining 40 female colleagues from Centrica on a 5 day trek up Mount Toubkal in Morocco.  Toubkal is Morocco's (and North Africa's) highest mountain at over 4,000 metres and I am taking on the challenge to reach the summit.  Yes it will be an adventure but it starts with the challenge of raising £1,000 (all of it goes to Camfed) and getting fit enough to enjoy it! Mostly though I am doing this because I am raising money for a cause that I personally feel hugely passionate about.  

CAMFED
Since 1993, Camfed has fought poverty and AIDS by educating girls and empowering young women. More than 1,065,710 children in impoverished areas of Zimbabwe, Zambia, Tanzania, Ghana and Malawi have benefited from their education programs. Camfed helps girls go to school and stay enrolled, from primary school to college.  With business training and small grant and microloan programs, young women become self-supporting through Camfed's Seed Money programme.  Camfed applies more than 90% of its income to direct charitable spending, earning the highest rating awarded by Charity Navigator, the largest evaluator of non-profts in the US.

Thank you for supporting me.

Leigh