Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Hello. As you can see, my name's Paul. I'm a student at the University of Nottingham. I hate flying and the heat, and social situations scare me, but I love this project.

I know it's pretty popular to mock 'voluntourism' nowadays, and much of that criticism is absolutely right. People shouldn't go to other countries, mess around for a bit with some bricks and mortar, enjoy the sights, and call that charity - particularly when kind people like you are funding them. I'd just like to assure you that I won't be doing that. I'm not in it for the fun, I believe we can be a success.

I'm not asking you to fund a holiday - I'm paying for the flights and the accommodation. I'm asking you, please, to fund this exciting project. We want to build a secondary school for 200 deaf children in Riandu, Kenya, in collaboration with local charities and the community itself. The Project Leader is Peter Macnaughton*, a third year Architect student at the University of Nottingham. Samantha Worrall, an experienced specialist schools architect, is working with us as well. The build will take three years, and Peter intends to see it through to the end. Once constructed and established, the Kenyan government will fund it, meaning that this project has real continuity.

The need for this school is enormous. PCAT, the charity we are associated with, were asked by the local Mother's Union to provide them with a school for their children. There are 71 schools for deaf children in Kenya. There are only 5 specialist secondary schools. Clearly, there just aren't enough. 

This project, with the help of the people of Riandu, will deliver a safe, sturdy, suitable school which will be a great help to the local community. This isn't a simple lump sum hand out. We will work 8+ hours a day, 5+ days a week, and we will leave the children of Riandu with something to show for it. 

I know the target is huge, we're looking to raise £80,000, the whole school will cost £300,000, but you can make a difference. Whether it's £1, £10, or £100, you'll bring us closer to our target. All of your money will go towards buying materials, not plane tickets.

Let's assume the school lasts 100 years. If we assume they're there for 5 years, that's 4,000 children, probably more, which makes it around £75. On this basis, £15 can give a child a whole year of secondary school education. I hope you agree that this is a brilliant opportunity.

I'd be so grateful if you could help us.

Thank you,

Paul

*Peter is the handsome chap to the right of me in my profile picture.