Becoming young global citizens
Most nine year olds know what they want for their birthday and Josh was no different. He knew that for his ninth birthday, he didn’t want any presents at all. Instead he wanted his friends and family to make donations to AfriKids’ Time to Shine appeal, because Josh wants more children to go to school like he does.
At his sports themed birthday party, Josh and his 15 friends enjoyed an energetic afternoon of team work and learning, all things they hope will now be enjoyed by other children their age with the £390 they raised. This incredible amount has helped to kick start Josh’s bigger fundraising challenge with his little brother, Zac, as they try to raise £1,500 before embarking on a trip to Ghana next year to meet the children who will be supported.
The boys will be taking part in AfriKids’ family experience trip, the Zaare Challenge. They will travel to northern Ghana with six other families on the trip of a lifetime, a chance to experience the culture of northern Ghana and the way of life for families and children who live there.
Star fundraisers
Josh and Zac are now on a mission to raise as much as possible to support as many children as they can to get an education. Inspired by receiving a pair of bright yellow laces after becoming ‘Man of the Match’ at a recent rugby game, Josh suggested to his mum that they could design Time to Shine branded laces to be sold at local schools, at his sports club, to friends, family and other sports groups.
They want to bring together all the children going on the Zaare Challenge to create a Time to Shine day in their local area, where children and sports clubs will be encouraged to wear their branded laces to collectively support more children in Ghana to go to school.
Thanks to UK Aid Match, all public donations that the boys secure towards AfriKids' Time to Shine appeal before 4 March will be doubled by the UK government. You can find out more about the appeal at www.afrikids.org/shine.
We’ll make sure to keep you posted on how they get on! To support their efforts, please visit their fundraising page here. Thank you Josh and Zac, you are two bright shining lights for the Time to Shine appeal.
Are you inspired to fundraise this New Year? You can get Janu-raising like Josh and Zac to help more children to go to school. For fundraising inspiration and challenge event places take a look here: www.afrikids.org/shine/fundraise
