Miriam and Roisin's 24h fast for African Missions

Hello everyone,

Miriam and Roisin here.

As many of you may know, we are both registered nurses with a love for travelling. In September last year, we set off on what would become our most life-changing adventure yet—visiting the beautiful and complex country of Kenya.

Initially, we planned a trip to explore and immerse ourselves in a new culture. But when we settled on Africa, we knew in our hearts it had to be more than just a holiday. We both grew up deeply aware of the struggles faced in developing countries—particularly through our families’ connections to mission work, in particular Saint Patrick’s Missionary Society (SPMS).

So, with visas in hand and vaccines complete, we set off for Nairobi, Kenya in September 2024 to volunteer with the Kiltegan Fathers and witness firsthand the extraordinary work being done by SPMS. What we saw was eye-opening. Yes, there was poverty. Yes, there was hardship. But what stood out more than anything was the resilience, joy, and faith of the people we met. From the slums of Nairobi to stories from South Sudan, we witnessed how even small acts of kindness can create ripples of hope.

The Kiltegan Fathers run vital projects:

• Feeding and sheltering those in extreme poverty

• Campaigning against human trafficking

• Providing legal aid to those without voice or means

• Educating girls and teaching them to make sanitary pads so they never miss school

• Drilling boreholes to bring clean drinking water to entire villages

• Protecting young girls in South Sudan from forced child marriage, and funding over 1,000 scholarships last year alone

Before we left, we fundraised through a 24-hour fast and bake sale, raising almost €6,000. During our visit, we had the honour of allocating these funds directly to causes we saw with our own eyes—healthcare, education, and girls’ protection programs. The impact was real. The change was visible.

We returned home with a simple truth: we all have a part to play. Missionary work isn’t just for priests. It's for anyone willing to show love, offer help, and live out compassion.

And now, June 2025, we’re reaching out to you again!

This Autumn, we’re returning to AFRICA, this time to Malawi, Kenya and South Sudan to volunteer in local clinics and continue supporting SPMS. We hope you’ll help us make an even bigger impact.

Whether it’s €50 or €500, your donation goes directly to those who need it most. You’re not just giving money—you’re offering dignity, opportunity, and a future.

Please consider donating. Join us in this mission. Let’s build a more just, compassionate world—together.

With love and gratitude,

Miriam & Roisin

African Appeal YouTube Video