Hello,

I am Cherish, a single mum to Ava & Isobella, apprentice nurse at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary, and student at the University of Cumbria. I am extremely passionate with regards to stopping FGM and empowering women to be the best that they can possibly be. I am an ambassador for the amazing charity, One Woman at a Time, and on Monday 11th February, I will flying alone to Kenya to meet with the Founder of One Woman at a Time, Jean Anderson. Jean is a retired Midwife who also lives in Morecambe. Jean first visited Ortum, Kenya, in 2012, where she met a a Pokot tribeswoman, Margaret Lulimas, whom unfortunately passed away due to complications in childbirth. Margaret’s story became the catalyst of a small movement, and has resulted in a group of empowered women who’s mission it is to empower other women, whom do not have a choice.

The mission of the charity is to improve the lives of women and children who are severely disadvantaged by social or economical circumstances. We do this by funding education and training, to give women the skills to create change for herself and her family, therefore transforming her community. We provide a safe place and education for girls that are fleeing from FGM and forced marriage.

Whilst in Kenya, I will be aiming to do the following:

Attend and assist at a child welfare clinic.

Speak to girls at school and educate them on menstrual cycle, sexual health and empower them to make decisions that are right for them.

Provide girls with reusable sanitary pads - this will give the girls confidence for 3 years.

Visit girls that have managed to flee from FGM and forced marriage, and see them thriving at schools that the charity has been able to fund.

Do a research project to determine the what the girls would be doing if we were unfortunately we were unable to sponsor their education.

Visit ex circumcisior’s and gain knowledge from them on how we can help to stop FGM.

Volunteer at a hospital, help in special care baby unit, maternity and theatres.

Meet and support women whom have had birthing complications, and unfortunate still borns. We will provide these babies with angel cribs, clothing and blankets, and provide therapy for the mothers.

Use TTT and EFT to help women overcome PTSD and other traumatic events.

Speak to student nurses, and help them with their learning.

Provide communities with livestock, particularly goats. This will enable families and communities to have nutrition and help families fund their children’s school fees.

Visit schools, and provide children with school shoes that have kindly been donated.

Take books, pens, pencils and paper that have been donated, and start off a library in a school for children that we sponsor.

£1 - puts one girl running away from FGM into secondary school for one day.

£5 - pays for refuge & primary education for one girl fleeing FGM for one week.

£5 - pays for reusable sanitary wear, for one girl for 3 years.

£10 - can buy 1 goat to help a community thrive - food for children and income for families. (Please note that Margaret Lulimas’ children and family will hopefully be receiving goats)

£15 - pays for one week’s University fees for one woman.

£20 - pays for a young mother (one weeks fee) to become a nurse on a 3 year course.

£20 - pays for a blood pressure machine for maternity care

£250 - pays for an incubator in special care baby unit.

Please visit www.onewomanatatime.co.uk for more information and stories of women we have helped. My blog www.mycherishedmemoirs.wordpress.com also has information with regards to FGM.

One woman at a Time currently supports 300 women and children. Please help me maintain these 300 women and children, and hopefully help more.