When Simon Edwards, a corporate finance director for Evolution Securities in London, decided to climb Mt. Aconcagua, the highest peak in the Americas, his friends and associates were impressed with his ambition. Simon decided to capitalize on that—in an entirely virtuous way—by asking them to support his efforts by donating money to Camfed.

Simon’s interest in Camfed’s work stems from a personal connection to Tanzania, one of the countries where Camfed works. After university, he spent three months there working on an environmental project. He returned recently on business, 15 years later. “We drove through the countryside, and it struck me how little Tanzania has developed in the 15 years since I was there,” he says. “Tanzania has a place in my heart, so I wanted to do something to help.”

Education, he thought, would be the best way to create lasting change. “I believe that charity ought to create a virtuous cycle,” he says. “I like the idea that education feeds off itself. Countries with an educated population develop the capacity to help themselves.”

On January 21, Simon achieved what he had set out to accomplish: he reached the 22,840-foot summit of Mt. Aconcagua, one of three climbers in his original group of eight. “It was such a relief,” he says. “I broke down in tears at the top. I was ill two days before and didn’t think I was going to make it.”

Through his employer, Evolution Securities, as well as through an email he sent to 2,500 contacts soliciting donations for Camfed, Simon was able to raise £12,000—enough to fund an entire secondary school education for 40 girls. He was pleased by the response he received, but he’s still not entirely satisfied. “Now that I’ve made it back alive,” he says, “I plan to chase down a few more people.”

If you are inspired by Simon’s story, please give the gift of education to a child in Africa. Make a secure online donation today.

For more ideas on how to fundraise for Camfed, visit our get involved section.

We interviewed lastminute.com co-founder, internet pioneer and Camfed board member, Martha Lane Fox to find out why she chose to get involved with Camfed.

(more…)

We interviewed Peter Sherratt, Vice Chairman at the global investment bank Lehman Brothers and a board member of Camfed, to find out how Camfed shapes up as an organisation and what made him support it. (more…)

Intrepid cyclists Eric Shambion and Amaya Williams have just arrived on the southern-most tip of South Africa after pedalling 30,000 kilometres from Cairo to Cape Town to raise money for Camfed. “It’s been physically draining,” says Amaya, who has cycled through 29 countries in the past 17 months. “I have had malaria twice and Eric broke his collarbone. Many times we wanted to give up and throw in the towel. But so many people were supporting us and watching our progress – and that’s what kept us going.” (more…)

On June 8th, journalist and best-selling author Allison Pearson launched Camfed’s Appeal for the Class of 2010, to raise support for 2,000 girls to complete school by 2010. In her inimitable style, Allison told the audience of successful women and men in London how over two generations women in Britain have changed their status through education, and how girls in Africa can do the same today with Camfed’s help. (more…)

Nancy Robinson was one of 22 intrepid Camfed supporters who pulled on their running shoes and braved sizzling temperatures last month to run the British 10k London Run to help girls make the long journey to school in rural Africa. (more…)