UPDATE: A huge thank you to everyone who has supported me! For my birthday this year, I asked for donations to go towards my trip to Uganda. I am over the moon to say that I have now raised the funds needed in order to go! Thank you so so so much

I have officially been sponsoring a beautiful little girl since January 2013.

Siyama Mary Namugenyi was only three years old when I started my sponsorship and neither of us knew what an incredible journey we would both embark on from such a simple action.

Everyone wants to give something back to those less fortunate than us, but I never thought sponsoring someone I have never met would motivate me in my everyday life, to be a better person, role model and support system for those around me.

It became apparent within a few months of my sponsorship, that Siyama and I were in this for the long run. With me taking up a job as a courier girl and waitress, to keep up with my monthly sponsorship payments, I knew we were onto something amazing.

I have always said I will continue to support her through her education, adulthood and whatever else she may need me for. We have an unspoken bond, now.

Imagine how amazing it would be to actually meet this little bundle of inspiration, 6 years on?

Well, I am so thrilled to say that I have actually been given the opportunity to make that happen, by taking part in a missionary trip to Uganda in July 2019. I will not only have the opportunity to hug the person I have been supporting for all this time, but, I will also be able to help with the Street Reach project; helping children on the streets get back into mainstream society. Not only that, I will be helping to develop a building project as well as spending time with young children in school, sharing the Gospel and giving them much needed fun and care!

Over the years, I have been fortunate enough to travel to Cambodia, India and Mexico to pursue my ultimate dream of helping children in poverty. This will be another incredible achievement for me, and one I have been working towards for a very long time.

I'm not asking you to fund a holiday, new car or an adrenaline-filled experience. I am asking you to think about all those times you have thought about doing more for someone in need. All those 'next year, I'll do this..' Every time you've walked past someone that needed help and regretted not doing anything when you got home. Let me help you help someone else. By donating a small amount, you can live that rewarding feeling through myself who will be traveling to carry out the work. I know we would all love to do something like this, but time doesn't always allow it.

Charity work is my passion and it's something I am good at. I want to make a difference in this world and these small steps are paving the way for me to achieve that.

By donating today, you will be making a little girl very happy, knowing she can look forward to meeting the person who has not only provided an education, medical care, food and clothing to her for the past 6 years, but who has also provided a true friend to her. You will also be making my dream come true, if that adds any incentive at all!

Thank you in advance for your generosity. I truly am grateful.

(95% of the sponsorship money each month goes directly to helping the children in Africa. The other 5% is used for finding new sponsors in the UK)