This Christmas, we are aiming to buy 100 Gifts for Girls born into poverty in Tanzania. Each £5 gift will contain body lotion, soap and sweets so 100 girls will have a few little luxuries to enjoy on Christmas Day.

In February, we expanded our Education All Month, Every Month programme from Kenya into Tanzania and since then, the team at Mfuko Wa Watoto have provided reusable sanitary towels, underwear and a social education forum to teenage girls in five schools in Mateves, a Maasai village outside Arusha.

Early results have shown an enormous 24% school attendance increase since the programme's implementation, giving adolescent girls hope and opportunity for a more prosperous future.

16-year-old Komeiyan is a student at one of the schools supported by the Fahari ya Msichana (Education All Month, Every Month) programme and she considers herself one of the lucky ones.

"When Fahari ya Msichana started supporting us with sanitary pads, I got determined to focus on my school studies. I remember receiving sanitary pads for only one year when I was in standard Seven. The assistance was timely because a boda boda (commercial motorcycle) boy in our village was asking for me to be his sexual partner in exchange for sanitary pads and other needs. The project has been very helpful in keeping us busy with valuable activities so I did not have to think about giving in his proposal. It is the reason I have made it this far."

While shopping this Christmas, it would be wonderful if you could donate £5 for a simple gift for a child like Komeiyan who might not otherwise have a present to open.

If you are not in a position to buy a gift, we would appreciate your help in spreading the word about our campaign. Remember to use the #GiftsForGirls and #ACFXmas19 hashtags on social media to let us know how you are getting involved! 

Thank you in advance for your kindness.