Hi Everybody!

 

Dee, Blathnaid & Elaine are organising a comedy fundraiser in the Laughter Lounge in Dublin City Centre on Thursday, 30th of January@ 7pm to raise money to provide a safe education for 52 young girls in the ActionAid Girls Dorm in Kongelai, Kenya. You can book your tickets by making a €25 donation per ticket on this site. It's a GREAT cause (find out more below), a fun night, great line up (Ian Coppinger, Josh Howie, Karl Spain), Late bar, FREE cocktail on arrival before 7.30pm!

 

 The dorm which we are raising money for safe houses vunerable girls from early child marrage and FGM. In rural Kenya, girls are still viewed as economic burdens that are often hastily disposed of as a valued asset exchangeable for goods, money or livestock. Often married off at an average age of 14 to older men in exchange for goods or cattle it's not surprising that out of 90 girls enrolled in Grade 4, only 9 will complete school.

 

This Dorm which was built in 2010 has transformed lives but now desperately needs financial support as they lack school materials, food for the school feeding programme and a kitchen for the girls to cook their food. For the most part they girls do not receive financial assistance from their family for food or school materials and although strides have been made to try and secure government funding for the school, ActionAid are still waiting for a concrete move on this. While they are waiting, they urgently need our help!

 

ActionAid Kenya have told us that building of the new kitchen facility will cost- €3,738.86 and the purchase of the food and to subsidise boarding fees for the most needy and rescued girls before the government respond will be €434.87.

 

Through a series of fundraisers (including this one) we are commiting ourselves to raise this money for the girls!

 

 

Learn more about the Dorm and the girls that live there.... 

One of the girls Christine, 15yrs, who is currently living there was married off against her will twice to older men (70yrs+) in exchange for goods and cattle. She has been violated and abused but following her escape she has found a home in the Kongelai Girls Dorm..

(you can read a little more about her story here: http://www.actionaid.ie/2013/12/christmas-appeal-help-us-provide-safe-haven-young-school-girls-risk-christine

 

 

This video is also really nice as you can hear a bit more from one of our irish supporters who went to visit the girls in 2011. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InwgD3EpOdo

 

Please give anything you can!

*N.B: If you want me to post out your ticket please write your address in the comments box as you donate, otherwise, you can collect them at the door on the night! :)