On Saturday 12th May 2018 I will be walking 60km with three friends. We are walking in conjunction with 'Just Walk', in the South Downs. It is a unique charity challenge where you can walk to raise money for the charity of your choice. I have chosen to raise as much money as possible for AFEE (Association Femme-Enfant Environment). AFEE is a small charity in Senegal, West Africa, set up in 1994. Its objectives are to improve the conditions of women and children in particular, in one of the poorest regions in Senegal. AFEE focuses on a group of villages and seeks to provide better access to water and sanitation, kindergartens, small health clinics, better maternity services, food security and employment for women. From my visits to Senegal, I know this charity well and my father still visits it's projects regularly. I have been particularly inspired by my parents who have tirelessly raised money for this special charity since their posting in Senegal from 2000-2004. My father promptly walked from Land's End to John O'Groats as soon as he retired and my mother has written a book about her life as a wife in the diplomatic service (all proceeds/profits went to AFEE). They have continued to raise money with other ventures over the years. Some of the funds raised have gone towards the building of a unit to grind and process corn and millet. The millet is turned into various forms of couscous, which is packaged and sold on through local supermarkets. The operation is going very well: it employs about 18 women from the villages, who share in the annual profits, and the couscous is sought after by the supermarkets. They have also funded the building of latrines in the villages as well as educational materials for the schools.

I have chosen to use the crowdfunding option with Just Giving as AFEE is not registered as a charity in the UK, only in Senegal. Unfortunately Gift Aid is not applicable.

If you would prefer to send me a cheque, it should be made payable to me, Catherine Little and send to me at 20 Kingswood Firs, Grayshott, Surrey GU26 6ET. I will then remit the funds direct to AFEE in Dakar, Senegal.

I really appreciate all your support and thank you for any donations.

('Posting A Diplomatic Bag', by Jane Burner, available on Amazon Kindle)