Hello, I'm Yekemi Otaru, a female business owner of a marketing consultancy called YO! Marketing. I'm going to Malawi in September to help the business women use digital marketing to grow their own businesses. I'd love your support to raise £1,800 towards the trip.

I've never shared this publicly, but in 2008, I had a really bad year. It was the year I had multiple miscarriages and mental health struggles. The pressure I put on myself to keep going broke me down. Fortunately, I regained my strength. And Malawi had something to do with it. That's why when Kate Webb of Orbis Expeditions asked if I would go to Malawi and share my skills in digital marketing with their local community, I didn't think twice.

Orbis Expeditions is a specialist Expedition company working in Educational, Sustainable, Experiential & Philanthropic Travel. Operating exclusively in Malawi, the company works with Schools, Universities, Charities, Businesses & Individuals creating highly bespoke expeditions which connect people with the world as Global Citizens. You can read more about them here.

Benita was nearly 11 years old when I started sponsoring her through World Vision in 2008. A Malawian girl, good at Maths and keen to make a good living for herself one day - I felt blessed to be part of her support network. We wrote each other, her picture stayed on our fridge for years. My children always asked who she was. My answer was the same each time, "She's a young girl in Malawi that we are helping to make something wonderful out of her life." Helping Benita helped me find renewed purpose and strength.

My sponsorship ended when Benita turned 17. I always wanted to visit her but it never happened. Now, through Orbis Expedition, I'm able to go to Malawi on a mission to give back.

As soon as I decided to go on this trip, I started googling Malawi and oh, what a gorgeous place! There is so much opportunity, beauty and drive there. I know that my planned visit there will impact me in ways that I cannot imagine now. It's exciting and scary!

I leave for Malawi on Sept 28 for nine days. The overall cost of the trip sits at ~£4,000 when I include the expedition fee (£1,600), flights (£1,260), upkeep and any fundraising.

I have covered my flight costs and paid 20% of the expedition fee. I have also put money aside for upkeep during the trip.

My ask from you is that you consider giving what you can towards the rest of my expedition fee plus £1,000 for resources to support the local community.

After speaking to previous travellers to Malawi, I understand that there is need for money to get businesses off the ground e.g. buying equipment, renting co-working spaces and paying labour costs. There is also a shortage of water bottles for students who have to travel long distances to/from school; stationary and shoes are also items that the school has let us know they need.

Therefore, I plan to use £1,000 to purchase water bottles, stationary and shoes for as many students as possible and up to 5 cash prizes of £100 each for the women business owners. If you consider that the annual living wage in Malawi is less than $500, £100 will go a long way for these women. And there'll be some very delighted students!

During the trip, I will use YO! Marketing Instagram stories to keep you updated on how I am getting on. Whether or not you give towards this, I'd appreciate it if you could follow the Instagram page as I share my journey.

Thank you very much for reading my story. I hope it inspires you.