First of all thank you for taking the time to click on my page to donate to GAAP Orphanage Foundation. Any funds raised will go directly to GAAP Orphanage Foundation since I have paid for my own race entrance for the Kamikaze Run.

Update 31st May 2010 - We did it! What a gruelling course! I've uploaded the pictures on the left of this page. This was the toughest physical challenge I have ever done. Thanks to everyone for your generosity and for your moral support as I've trained for this race and also on the day of the race. It really helped me to get through the course particularly when it seemed to never end! This was a great day for GAAP Orphanage Foundation, with 5 volunteers taking part. I completed the course - with my teammates Abbey and Terry - in 2.29.29. Well done guys!

Update - 23rd May 2010 - Please check out the Youtube video on the left of this page. You can see for yourself why I am so passionate about this cause.

Update - 18th May 2010 - I have amazingly, thanks to an overwhelming response,  raised half of my original target so I will be running this race dressed as Catwoman!  

Doing the Kamikaze Run on a Sunday morning is going to be a real challenge for me. The organisers have gone radical and added a 'snakes marriage' rope entanglement, a river we have to wade through and a mud scramble to the course which includes hardly any flat terrain! 　The mud gets everywhere and it is quite normal to lose a shoe or two in the bogs, so it should be interesting. I am not very sporty, and despite recent attempts to change that with some kickboxing, you are more likely to find me curled up on the sofa much to my fiancé’s despair! 

GAAP sent a team of 6 trustees and volunteers to 7 orphanages in Nigeria in April 2010 to see first hand what challenges they faced and how GAAP could help. The severe malnutrition and disturbing state of health of a 13 year old orphaned girl named Funmi touched our hearts; so much so that we are taking immediate fundraising action to Help Funmi as quickly as possible.

On a personal note, whilst I didn’t go on the trip in April, I have myself been to the orphanage which houses Funmi in 2008 when I made a private donation to the home. I was disturbed by the conditions that the physically disabled and special needs children are living in at the home. I vowed to help those kids and, whilst it has taken a while to get there, I met GAAP Orphanage Foundation this year and have jumped at the chance to help make a positive impact on the lives of children like Funmi, whilst turning my own despair at the situation into hope that we can change it.

As you can see from the photos and video on the left of this page, Funmi is suffering from severe malnutrition and other health complications. Although we got her into hospital, she was back in the orphanage within a day and it has become clear that the only way we can improve Funmi’s health long term is for GAAP to pay for her medical bills in a private hospital. Sadly, Funmi is just one of the many very sick children we saw across the 7 orphanages we visited and GAAP is committed to helping as many other sick children as your funding permits.

So whether you are donating because of Funmi’s situation or just to see Catwoman get humiliated….YOUR DONATIONS WILL HELP US DO SOMETHING AMAZING & MAKE CHILDREN SMILE SO…Thank you for visiting this page and for supporting GAAP Orphanage Foundation. 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 GAAP Orphanage Foundation and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer which increases whatever you give by 28%.

Thank you for your time and for your support,

Marianne Kahl 

Join us on Facebook 'GAAP Orphanage Foundation' or visit us at www.gaaporphanage.org.uk

Tel 0208 595 8355  or info@gaaporphanage.org.uk