In October I visited my cousin in Nairobi, who has started a charity that brings together extraordinary women who are leaders within their community. I had the chance to visit 4 of these women who have all started schools (on their own) in the slums of Nairobi. They started the schools for children who cannot afford to go to state "free" schools (they are not "free" as you still have to pay for uniforms, books etc. and if you earn $0.50 a day that is impossible.) They women work tirelessly and do not get paid, but do it because, as they say, they have a passion for children and it is what they are on earth to do. The children who go to these schools are the most vulnerable in their community. Many children do not have parents, and those with parents can stay at school as late as 9pm as their parents are still out working to try and earn enough to feed the family. Despite these challenges and hardships the children face, they are the smiliest, happiest, warmest, most generous spirited, eager to learn, focused, well behaved, polite and funny children I have ever met. All they want is to be educated and make a better life for themselves and their community. These schools and the only places that can help them, and so far are doing a great job! But they also need some help. None of the schools receive funding. I would like to raise money so Immaculate, who started Bethel School, can buy some toys for toddlers who get dropped off to her every day, and pay her 6 teachers $1 a day, which she can't always do; for Beatrice, whose mother started Fruitful School in her own home, so she can buy books for the children, and bedding for the 27 who live with her in 2 rooms because they have nowhere else to go. Finally I would like to raise money for Agneta who started a school, which was so successful the government took it off her and made it a state school. She has started again with one room and 30 children. She needs money for food. Anything you give will go a long way! Thanks