Blog

One year with a vision

One of our fantastic volunteers Helen looks back over her whirlwind year with Team Kenya!

I still can’t really believe that a chance meeting with my old friend Vic – who was, by a bizarre coincidence, in Singapore at the same time as me back in November 2014 – could have had such an impact on the last 12 months of my life. When I look back at the last year, I am so excited to have made the decision to get involved with Team Kenya in the way that I have, and even more so about the year ahead – and the year after that, and the year after that!

My role within TK is to manage the Facebook and Twitter accounts – the primary objective of which is to tell the story of Ndhiwa, share the charity’s vision and spread our good news, with the ultimate aim of increasing donations.

Extreme poverty in Kenya – and other developing countries – is a result of a range of very complex issues, many of which I simply wasn’t aware of before I started volunteering with TK. Initially, I simply assumed that my background in marketing and passion for (or, some might say, obsession with) social media would help to keep Vic and the team to keep things “ticking along” – but the more I learned about the amazing work they do, the more of an impression it made on me. It began to open my eyes.

The most powerful overall message for me was this: girls can change the world. Educate a girl, and allow her the chance to create a healthy, opportunity-rich life for herself. Empower a woman, and allow her children, grandchildren and future generations to see the value of a strong, successful female.

Kenya may be a long way away from my home, but that message rings true no matter where you are in the world.

Gender equality is a simple, essential landmark on the journey to alleviating poverty in developing countries. When half of the population of a community is disadvantaged we cannot expect the other half of the population to reap in its maximum potential. Team Kenya’s crystal clear goal of improving the lives of vulnerable girls and women in Ndhiwa will help to spread this message throughout communities and down through generations.

Over the last year I’ve become part of a charity with a drive, a vision and a passion. I’m beyond proud to call it my own, too.

Written by Helen Essex