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In 2008 I visited Mahali Pa Watoto for the first time. It is a pre-school in Dagoretti, on the outskirts of Nairobi, Kenya. Its name means 'a place for the children', and it provides a safe place for children from underprivileged families to come and learn, play and develop. They then hopefully move on to primary school, having been provided with the basic skills they need as well as a uniform and equipment.

I returned to visit again in February this year. The pre-school is currently in the process of expanding and it is very exciting to see the great work being done and the children flourishing. I also had the opportunity to visit the home of one of the girls, who lives with her grandma, and this was a real eye-opener into the tough conditions in which these children live. Mahali gives them a really good start in life, providing breakfast and a hot dinner, a playground to play in and teachers committed to teaching the children and giving them basic skills for life.

For a long time I have felt drawn to Africa, and to Kenya in particular, and now I have the opportunity to be involved in Mahali. As it is expanding this is an ideal time to look at the curriculum and the teaching methods and see if I can bring my own skills as a primary teacher to build on and develop what the fantastic staff there are doing. I am taking a year's sabbatical from my school and will be going as a volunteer. The money I raise will go towards my expenses (flights, visa, insurance, food, transport...) and any extra will go to the work at the school. I am trusting God for my finances and have made the commitment to go, but any donations will be gratefully received!

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Thank you!