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In 2022, I completed my first ever trek, 156km walking in the Kyrgyzstan Mountains at altitudes of up to 3800m  with 11 incredible women. It was an amazing adventure from a physical, emotional and cultural perspective. And so this year, I was up for a new challenge, and keen to continue to support the outstanding work of Women for Women International UK.

Our trek across the Namib Desert in Support of Women Survivors of War comprises an independent, self-funded team of 14 women from around the world, under the banner of Women on a Mission (WOAM), a non-profit organisation headquartered in Singapore that supports and empowers women survivors of war and violence.

THE CHALLENGE | We will embark on a 10-day pioneering expedition to Namibia in September 2023. The team will attempt to become the first all-female team to cross the world’s oldest Desert, the Namib, on foot from the Kuiseb river to the wild Atlantic coast. For this next expedition, WOAM’s 12th to date, the team will trek 125km across some of the world’s tallest sand dunes in one of the driest regions of the African continent. The expedition’s objective is to raise $70,000 USD for women survivors of war in Ukraine, Afghanistan and Sudan via Women for Women International – UK, an organisation that works with some of the most marginalised women in the world helping them to transform their lives. 

THE CAUSE | Women for Women International primarily serves women survivors of conflict and war in 14 countries. In Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Iraq, Kosovo, Nigeria, Rwanda, and South Sudan they’ve established dedicated offices and staff to deliver their year-long Stronger Women, Stronger Nations programme. They also recognise women need urgent support when caught in the midst of conflict. Established in 2018, the Conflict Response Fund is a mechanism that allows Women for Women International to respond quickly when women are most in need, to help prevent and heal the trauma they experience during war. 

Currently, Women for Women International are working with partners in Syria, Myanmar, Ukraine and the Tigray region of Ethiopia and have worked with partner organisations in Bangladesh and Yemen. Through the Ukraine Conflict Response Fund, Women for Women International team have identified their priority partners on the ground, working to support the overlooked needs of women affected by the current conflict, who are now exposed to extreme violence, abuse, and the risk of human trafficking. In April 2023, Women for Women International mobilised the Conflict Response Fund to identify Sudanese women’s rights organisations to meet the urgent needs of women impacted by the conflict in Sudan.

YOUR CONTRIBUTION | Give a woman survivor of war the resources, support, and skills she needs to transform her life - and the lives of her family.

$35 could pay for Rights Awareness Training, so a woman can learn that she is worthy of contributing to decisions at home, including financial decisions, traditionally made by the men in the family.

$50 could pay for a goat, which can be raised, for milk, or cheese to be sold at the market, changing a woman's life by giving her an income and a status in her community. 

$100 could pay for a bicycle, so a woman can quickly transport her goods, helping her grow and expand her business to become more self-sufficient.

$200 could pay for Men's engagement training, to give a man a place to explore gender, masculinity and understand the benefits to families and communities when women are empowered.

$635 could pay for ten sewing machines, to enable women to set up a tailoring business and provide an income for their families.

100% of the funds raised will go to Women for Women International UK. Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they will never sell them or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send the money directly to the charity. So it's the most efficient way to donate - saving time and current costs for the charity.