During the 1994 Rwandan genocide, around 1 million Rwandans were killed in the space of 100 days. The destruction of all schools, hospitals and general country infrastructure has led to communities having to re-build and struggle for many years since. Although the country has made vast improvements in reducing poverty in the past decade, the population density in the country is the highest in Africa and 57% of Rwandans are living in extreme poverty.

I will be visiting an extremely poor and deprived area in Kigali, where I will be helping pregnant women and orphaned children. The antenatal clinic I will visit is essentially a large tent with a bare cement floor, where the women are openly examined and subsequently give birth. I am raising money to take as many 'mama packs' as possible, which include basic items such as nappies, umbilical cord clamps, blankets and the much-needed essentials for child delivery, and basic care for the first few days of a baby's life. Additional money raised will go towards things such as dry foods, food blenders for severely disabled babies and the costs of midwives and any medical supplies for the clinic.

I would very much appreciate your support to help me provide care for those who most need it in Rwanda. I believe every mother has the right to a safe birth, and every child for a decent chance at survival. Any donation, no matter how small, would be hugely helpful.