Life in modern Singapore is easy, safe and comfortable. Sometimes the comforts we enjoy can make us forget there are many women in the world that don't share our luxury; women that need to build a life and raise a family in a country torn apart by war. Women for Women International is a charity that supports survivors in war-torn countries to rebuild their lives and futures. Women that are strong - all they need is a little help. From us, women - and men! - that have enough privilege to share. 

This November I will embark on a special mission: with a group of twelve women we will do a ten day trek into the deep jungle to stay with a tribe that still lives life as it has for centuries, without any modern comforts. Preparation wil be necessary, if you know me at all you know physical activities are not my forte. Jungle however, is my idea of paradise. We will hike eight hours a day through the dense jungle, sleep in basic shelters amidst creepy crawlies, and I hope not too many snakes (my biggest fear). 

Our original plan was to visit the Korowai tribe in Indonesian Papua. Unfortunately the political situation there has been unstable for some time. The Papuan people fight for independence from Indonesia, and violence has escalated recently after racist incidents on Java. We felt the situation was not safe, and it would be irresponsible to travel to the region at this time. 

We did manage to come up with an alternative plan at short notice: we will visit the Sakuddei and Sararakeit tribal people - also called the Flower People. These tribes live in the Sibeirut island, the largest of the Mentawai Islands, west of Sumatra. Here they live in small groups dispersed through the jungle, where they build wooden houses on stilts and eat what the jungle can provide - sago paste, fish or shrimp that they catch in the rivers. They love to hunt wild boar and monkeys.

I am not asking you to support me in this trek because I need your help. I am in the luxury position to call this a holiday. So don't sponsor me, sponsor the women that need your help. All the funds raised for this trip will go 100% to Women for Women International, more information on their great work can be found here: https://www.womenforwomen.org.uk/ 

And, last but not least, my husband and I have agreed to show our own support by doubling all your donations! So do give freely and make Roel regret saying this...