My name is Eden Smith, and this summer I am being supported by Plumpton College to travel to the Masai Mara, with the hopes of helping at the Naning’oi girls school. This school has provided safety and education to young girls and has worked to protect them from threats such as FGM.

This fundraiser is not to fund my own individual experience and my ability to attend, but to provide essentials to these children.

As somebody who has suffered tremendously with menstrual problems and has already faced enough anxiety in a country where I have access to supplies and healthcare, I cannot imagine what these girls may go through when it comes to dealing with their own feminine hygiene and health. I aim to bring large volumes of sanitary products, such as tampons, pads and absorbent period underwear, to help make their experience more comfortable. This is something I am extremely passionate about, as every girl deserves to feel confident, safe and content during their periods.

In addition to this, I acknowledge that these girls deserve more than just what is needed, and I want to travel knowing I have extended my resources to the fullest. I would like to also bring suitable and long lasting clothes, school supplies (notepads, stationary), cosmetics (press on nails, lip balms) and entertainment (colouring books, toys).

Some of this does not come cheap, and whilst I am in a fortunate enough position to secure my funding for my place on this trip, extra help to secure these recourses would change the experience in the best way. Funding would enable me to access essentials that may seem like everyday features in our lives, but are scarce at Naning’oi.

Thank you so much for reading, if you are able to share / donate, it would be so greatly appreciated.