Hi friends, on Sunday, I turn 40, and I wanted to mark the occasion by running a little fundraiser in honour of a cause that has meant a lot to me. I know times are financially challenging, so this is a low-pressure request, but if anyone felt inclined to donate, that would be wonderful...

I have been lucky to work with ADD, a disability rights organisation, for 7 years, staying on as a freelancer while studying. The people at ADD are like an extended family - an incredible group of caring and dedicated people. A few months ago, I interviewed a disability activist called Blandina in Tanzania via Zoom (photo above). It was a joyous conversation. Hard to convey in words but Blandina's spirit, passion, heart, dedication were enormous and poured out of her during the call. It was the sort of encounter that left you buoyant to belong to the same species as this incredible human.

In unbelievably sad circumstances, four days after our interview Blandina was killed. Her death was sudden and violent and still subject to a police investigation. I had unopened WhatsApp messages from her of photos and stories she was so excited to share with me about her work.

Blandina was a pioneer for disability rights and gender equality. I finished the conversation with her bouncing off the walls because the energy she radiated was so infectious. Her determination to bring change, protection, dignity and opportunities to disabled women was humbling. She worked on this issue around the clock. Talking to people in the community, powerholders, the media, other women’s groups, local leaders, raising awareness about the violence disabled women face, and travelling endlessly to talk to other disabled women, helping them reclaim their dignity and confidence. She was one of 20 other disabled women activists being supported by ADD to tackle abuse and stigma, which is rife.

I recently interviewed another activist, called Happiness, working on the same project, and she was telling me how painful Blandina’s death has been for the disability community. Blandina had a big social media following and was a role model for thousands of women and girls. Her death, and the circumstances of it, brought the issues she worked on into stark focus. Happiness told me that the women in Tanzania were more determined than ever to continue their work in honour of Blandina.

Like other charities, ADD has been hit hard by COVID and significant government cuts to funding. And so, for my birthday and in honour of both Blandina and another beloved ADD colleague who died this year, Sylvie, I wanted to run a fundraiser to raise what we can to support this community of pioneers.

All the money raised will go directly to the group of women disability activists in Tanzania. And I can personally vouch for how life-changing, beautiful and powerful this work is. Disability activists are the lifeblood of change in their communities. Anyone who is moved to donate a gift would be so appreciated.

I wanted to close with words that Blandina shared with me during our interview. It is strange to think that I was probably one of the last people she ever spoke to about her work, so I wanted to share some of her thoughts with you. I can think of no better sentiment than the following to fuse into our hearts and take forward into the post-COVID dawn:

"We want to eliminate all violence against people with disabilities in Tanzania. We have this drive of humanity within us. When you ask me, who is Blandina, this is who Blandina is. Don’t judge disabled women as incapable. Be positive. The community attitude infects us. Don’t look at my impairment, look at the environment, and ask how it can be made friendly for me. The biggest challenge that women with disabilities face is people’s mindsets; how the community perceives us. It is the outside world that points at a disabled women and views her as disabled. Do you see that Blandina can do positive things? Or do you take a negative perspective?

Every day for me is my favourite day. I love to work to create happiness for the other person. This is my pleasure. Working for the happiness of others.”