My son Jack and I met Joyce in Magadi, Kenya during a volunteering trip in December 2017. Like many young girls from poorer areas of the country, Joyce was keen to learn and attend secondary school, but the family simply couldn't afford the yearly fees of several hundred pounds per child.

At 14 years old, it's likely that Joyce would be married to an older Masai man. Although it is now illegal in Kenya, FGM (female genital mutilation) is still practiced in many areas. Because it is illegal, the operations are performed outside of hospitals, in none sterile situations, which can lead to infection and complications for the girl for the rest of her life.

We wanted to help Joyce, so decided to support her through secondary school - we paid for the first term fees directly while we were out there and committed to raise the funds for the next 4 years when we got home.

Joyce is obviously just one of many girls in this situation, but if you would like to help us help her with any small amount you can afford, we would all be very grateful.

Thanks in advance,

Mandy and Jack x