I hold degrees in a number of subjects and am currently a
doctoral researcher in the History of Medicine at the University of Warwick.
I first got involved with Precious Sisters in 2008, when a
friend of mine, who at ...
Read moreI hold degrees in a number of subjects and am currently a
doctoral researcher in the History of Medicine at the University of Warwick.
I first got involved with Precious Sisters in 2008, when a
friend of mine, who at that time was a founding trustee, introduced me to this
unique charity. Unique, as it doesn’t merely provide the funds for an
education, but because it also offers the girls ongoing and long-lasting individual
support through its finely-tuned mentoring programme. I knew straight away that
I wanted to play a part in this.
Having been a teacher for over 20 years and as the mother of
a daughter and a son, I am acutely aware that all children should have the same
educational opportunities, irrespective of gender. Unfortunately, in countries
where schooling is costly, these opportunities are all too often extended only to
boys. Yet it is so very important to empower girls, to give them the confidence
to critically think and speak up for themselves, and to thus ensure that they
create and follow their own, independently chosen paths in life. This is what
Precious Sisters stands for and facilitates, as the tributes from the girls clearly
show.
So far I have been sponsoring three girls, and to watch
their progress, to follow their journey and to see them overcome so many
obstacles has been rewarding and truly humbling. This is a personal and
personable charity where connections are made across borders, and the letters
and school reports as well as the regular updates from Ann and Rosemary reflect
this intimacy and direct impact.
I am honoured to be a member of the board, and through my long-standing
career in secondary and tertiary education and my passion for equal
opportunities I am hoping to ensure that many more underprivileged girls will
get their chance to shine.