"Imagine. Just for a second, imagine that you are seated in a room. Your goal is to study. You have a pen, an excercise book, and a textbook open. A ceiling sits above you, gleaming with light, a fan sends a breeze down to you, hanging not too far away. This is quite a basic study session to most of us. 

Now imagine this. Instead of you being alone in said room, this room that can only fit about 20 children is filled with about 40, that textbook, is being shared with five other children. That excercise book is for three different subjects and the light bulb above you is broken, hanging from an exposed wire. There is no ceiling above, just the sight of corrugated iron looms above you. But your pen, your pen still has ink in it and you, you decide that despite this, you study anyway."

How much more could the children in the latter paragraph achieve if they simply had the resources that lost of us do? If they simply had a textbook or their own desk? How many more people can succeed in this life if they simply had the resources that the rest of us have? A textbook can allow a child to study ahead, become the next doctor, lawyer, accountant, artist and anything else. Education gives a child the ability not only to have a choice for what they'd like to do for their life but also give them the opportunity to build themselves out of poverty. 

This charity is very close to my heart for one very simple reason. I am a student and I am in Africa and the opportunities I've had in my life, I'd wish for someone else to have as well. In 6th Form (grade 12) and having only ever gone to one school my whole life, a school with running water, textbooks, state if the art computer and science labs, I can't imagine a life excluding it. And so, for my 18th Birthday I ask that you help me give the gift of a better education to children in Africa by donating to Build Africa. 

Build Africa is a British registered international development and education charity based in London, England. The NGO works to improve access to quality primary education in rural Africa, with current projects focused in Kenya and Uganda, East Africa. By collecting donations Build Africa helps children in Africa achieve a better education allowing them to work themselves out of poverty. And what better gift is there than the gift of education! 

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

You can also donate through the facebook portal if that would be more convenient at the fundraising page: Elsa N's Birthday Fundraiser. 

Share this Fundraiser over instagram and Twitter! 

Also check out Street Child, in partnership with Build Africa, on Instagram and Twitter! 

And lastly RumElsa! I'd like to say how happy I am to be working in a team with my best friend Rumeeza  in helping this amazing cause for my birthday!