Four years ago I organised a Telstra/NAB Helping Hand computer donation to the School of St Jude in Tanzania, inspired by a book I read about an Australian woman Gemma Sisia who was creating education opportunities for young African children. Gemma raised funds to build school facilities in Tanzania.

From an early age I had wanted to travel to Africa, not just in a tourist capacity but a philanthropic capacity. In January 2010 I realised this much desired dream and was fortunate enough to visit the School of St Jude. The donated computers were being used by the school children, this was such a thrill to experience firsthand!

My African adventure continued and on my way back through Africa I visited the ‘Boston Children Centre’, a primary school in the Matopeni slum of Nairobi, Kenya. After speaking with the Headmaster I realised the eldest children in the school had no real access to further education as there was no secondary school nearby.

Being the parent of 3 young children, 2 who are school age I found it difficult to comprehend my own children finishing their Primary School education with no Secondary School to attend. It was then I was immediately motivated and inspired to help raise money to build a Secondary School for the children of Matopeni Slum.

Two friends who were also on the trip to Africa encouraged and supported my desire to raise the funds to build a Secondary School and so the Kenyan Kinship came to be! There are now 6 of us altogether on the Kenyan Kinship committee, we are working hard to raise the remaining funds to build the Secondary School by January 2012.

You can support the Kenyan Kinship by assisting with fundraising, sponsoring a child to go to school, making a donation or maybe you would like to visit the school. There is a volunteer trip going to Kenya in January 2012, the trip is almost full!

Information on Boston Children Centre and the project to build a secondary school: http://www.matopenislum.org/

More information on School of St Jude: http://www.schoolofstjude.co.tz/