Hello, my name is Rhia Patel and I'm 14 years old. This year I have been given the opportunity to travel to Kenya from my school with an organisation called Camps International. The purpose of this trip is to enrich the lives of people in Africa who don't get the necessities and opportunities that we get here in the UK, for example healthcare, education and clean water. Whilst in Kenya we will focus on sustainable community projects that will impact the country long after we have visited.

As soon as I heard about this experience: encountering the culture; going scuba diving and on a safari trip, things I would never usually have been able to do; meeting local people, and overall bettering the lives of others, I was hooked. I really wanted to be involved in this journey to help the development of another country and those who live there. After researching the trip more and more, I also realised that it linked in with my heritage. All of my grandparents were born in Africa and my maternal grandma was born and raised in Kenya. For me this means that I will be able to understand and connect with my roots more that any story could allow me to.

However, the cost of this 4-week excursion is very expensive.

As a result of this, my school have encouraged us to fundraise as much of the £5000 of this trip as we can, not only to fund the cost of this trip but also to add to the personal development and skill set that this trip will bring me. But I can't do this alone. I need your support. If you can spare some money to donate, buy some baked goods, get involved with my monthly prize draw or even just spread the word, I would be extremely appreciative as I'm sure the communities on the receiving end of our work will be too.