Christine Alfons's fundraising page

[p]In October, I am travelling from Kenya to London to run the Royal Parks Half Marathon. I want to raise funds and awareness to help [url=http://www.feedtheminds.org/project/ecaw/]break the cycle of female genital mutilation FGM in my community[/url]. Here's my story: [/p][p]I am 22 years of age, a first born of a family of five, with two sisters and two brothers, raised by a single mother since I was 8 years of age, after my father passed on. I grew up in Kehancha, Kuria in Migori County, where I currently live with my family. I am in my third year at University where I pursue a bachelor’s degree in actuarial science, a course that takes four years in Kenya.[/p] [p][b][span=text-decoration: underline;]Passion[/span][/b][/p] [p]I am passionate about change in my community. My passion for change developed when my mum told me a story behind my father’s death which was a result of him being against the harmful cultural practice in our community. That is female genital mutilation (FGM).[/p] [p]When I was 12 years of age it dawned on me that I was to go through the cut, but I managed to escape due to my stand against FGM together with my mother’s support. Despite the discrimination I went through and the withdrawal of support from my extended family members I managed to study at University through my mother's and friends' support.[/p] [p]When I finished my high school education, I longed to have a platform to talk to the community as a whole concerning FGM and why they should abandon the practice. This was because I didn’t want to see other girls suffer when I could be in a position to help.[/p] [p]I am out to mentor girls and women on their rights, especially Sexual Reproductive Health Rights.[/p] [p]My passion is to see FGM come to an end and see girl’s education valued and women respected in the community.[/p] [p][b][span=text-decoration: underline;]Achievements[/span][/b][/p] [p]Since I started being involved with the campaign against FGM I have made a step ahead.[/p] [p]To start with, I managed to work with ECAW - Feed the Minds' partner organisation working to end FGM in my community. I was introduced to ECAW by my friend, when he realized my passion for the girl’s rights. Through ECAW, I have managed to reach different people in the community to talk to for the change I advocate for.[/p] [p]Secondly, early this year, I was nominated as one of the runners-up in Queen’s young leader’s award. This made me one among the eight change leaders in Kenya made me qualify for online training on leadership skills from Cambridge University. This is because of the project am involved in with ECAW, Ending FGM in Kuria.[/p] [p]Adding onto that, I was selected as a young delegate for the Commonwealth Youth Gender and Equality Network (CYGEN) which was launched in Malta, May this year. I am Delighted to be one of the policy makers in the commonwealth countries.[/p] [p][b][span=text-decoration: underline;]Why I want to run the marathon[/span][/b][/p][p] The opportunity to participate in the marathon will boost my advocacy efforts, to really see the change I long for in my community. My future plans for my community is to have and see more girls being educated, see an FGM free community, women respected in the community and a community free of early and forced marriages. I also want to support my siblings to get the same education I have got.[/p][p][b][span=text-decoration: underline;]How you can help[/span][/b][/p][p]You can play an important part in the story of FGM in Kenya. By supporting Feed the Minds, you can help fathers feel better able to defend their daughters against FGM. You can allow girls like me to stay in school and become teachers, doctors and activists. You are standing with people around the world to say that FGM has no place in society. Please donate today.[/p]