Beaumont woman undertakes major walking challenge for African girls

A NORTHSIDE woman is currently undertaking a major walking challenge to raise funds for young girls in Africa.  

Big-hearted Stephanie Byrne, from Beaumont, is walking from Lisbon to Santiago de Compostela in Spain to raise money to buy beds and mattresses for Gongodinyi Primary School in Kishushe, Kenya. 

The journey is over 640km in distance, which she is walking in 25 days – a whopping 25km per day!

Stephanie has been sponsoring children with ActionAid Ireland for over 25 years and it was through the charity that she learnt of the current need in the primary school in Kishushe. 

Stephanie aims to buy a bed every day she is walking, which means raising a total of €5,000. The beds will ensure that young girls, who are vulnerable to child marriage and neglect, will be able to continue their studies in safety.

Ahead of her trip, Stephanie said: “The hardships of poverty and lack of water has exposed girls to child marriages, defilement, incest, domestic violence and neglect, all conspiring to deny them access to education. 

“Keeping the girls in school is key to guarantee their safety and good learning outcomes as it gives them the opportunity to have non-interrupted studies during the week while protecting them from child labour.

“Please help me to support making access to education a reality for girls as I walk so they can have the opportunity of thriving and hope for a better future. 

“Thank you for supporting the purchase of beds and mattresses that will offer a violence-free environment for girls in school.” 

Bruce Clark, Head of Individual Giving at ActionAid Ireland, thanked Stephanie for undertaking such a huge challenge.

“Our colleagues in Kenya work day in and day out with vulnerable girls and the beds and mattresses have been identified as a way to make a long-term difference to girls living in poverty,” said Mr Clark.  

• People can sponsor Stephanie by donating through GoFundMe – http://tiny.cc/dq4d8y