Dear friends, family, and supporters,

My name is Megan, and I am a graduate looking to move into a career in criminology and psychology. Through this I wish to explore the individual and community benefits these paths can have on both a local and global scale.

I am fundraising for a 4 week volunteering trip to South Africa in April 2025, to join a psychology and criminology programme with Vocational Impact. 

This journey is about more than just my experience - Vocational Impact is a branch of the international charity Arms Around The Child. They send volunteers with specific knowledge and skills to their partner projects in order to make a real difference on the ground. I will be working with the Teddy Bear Foundation, REPSSI and Nkosi’s Haven - who play a vital role in their community. While I lend and learn skills, the money raised will go into these locally run community projects, which you can read more about below!

Teddy Bear Foundation:

The 2016 Optimus Study in South Africa found that that over 40% of young people had experienced some form sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse or neglect at some point in their lives. The Teddy Bear Foundation works to reduce the effects of child abuse - specifically child sexual abuse - and minimise its further occurrence. I will be volunteering with them to help provide holistic support and services to children. For example, psychological support and assessments - to help the child process what has happened to them; ensure they have access to the criminal justice system and work with the child and the courts on how best to support them. The children also receive counselling and therapy to process their trauma - and have diversion programmes for those who are at risk of or already have gone on to offend and continue the cycle of abuse. The Teddy Bear foundation even works in the community to educate on how to spot and stop abuse. Donations go towards helping them provide a safe, happy future for the children in their care.

REPSSI:

I will also be working with the Regional Psychosocial Support Initiatives (REPSSI) - who provides holistic psychosocial care and support to children across the East and South of Africa.Their hard work is made possible through the donations made to their cause, which they use to respond to the mental health needs of children affected by HIV and AIDS, conflict, poverty and social issues. In South Africa, they work to tackle the causes and effects of HIV, Gender Based Violence, Child and Teenage Pregnancy and Sexual Violence. They do this by running school and community programmes and education initiatives to ensure community support and awareness - so that people know what to look out for and know where to access services should they need them. 

Nkosi’s Haven:

HIV and AIDS is a huge and prevalent issue in South Africa. According to UNAIDS, in 2023 there were over 7 million people living with HIV and AIDS in South Africa. The funds raised will help to fund Nkosi’s Haven - who support mothers and children whose lives have been impacted by HIV and AIDS. It is home to over 150 HIV positive orphans, children and mothers. The children all attend school and receive the greatest care; meals and nutrition; and vitally - medication. 

I want to thank you for taking the time to read this. I am asking for your support to help me reach my fundraising goal of £150. Support and donations will help pay for flights, volunteer, and registration fees, as well as necessary vaccines and other travel essentials. Each and every donation will help my journey to South Africa, and fund these projects that make a huge and sustainable difference in their communities. Together, we can help ensure that these projects continue to provide invaluable support to those who need it. 

Megan Gent