Maneesha's Trek to Tackle Poverty Sri Lanka

OMG. I only created this page two weeks ago and shared with family and friends TWO DAYS ago - and I've already had the most INCREDIBLE response and an absolute tidal wave of support!! I can't believe I'm already *more than halfway* to my fundraising goal! The generosity of the people around me is so encouraging & inspiring and I feel so lucky to know such incredibly supportive people who care as much as I do about helping to create a better world. You know that intense despair I mentioned? You legends are helping to make that slowly dissipate. It feels strange for people to say to me "Good on you", when it's all those supporting me who are the true heroes in this. After all, it's donations that fund the incredible programs and work that Oxfam does. Without supporters like those who have donated to me, Oxfam would be unable to do their amazing work - and I would be unable to go on this trek! So what I'm trying to say is: THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU. Your support warm my heart. - Manee xx

By Maneesha Todd @ 12 June 2019

I don't know about you, but I often feel pretty crap about the state of the world we live in. Scrolling through my newsfeed each day I see endless examples of injustice, inequality and environmental destruction. In a moment of particularly intense despair (not coincidentally after the 2019 election results), I decided to *stop moping* and do something positive, for the world and myself: I signed up to Oxfam's Trek to Tackle Poverty in Sri Lanka. !!!!!!! That means next March, I'll be trekking through Sri Lanka's Hill Country & Knuckles Mountain range in an effort to raise $2500 for Oxfam's SUNRISE project, which empowers locals with the skills they need to overcome poverty and flourish. I'm so excited to fundraise for this project as it works on areas I care deeply about: women's empowerment, gender and economic justice, and helping vulnerable communities cope with the impacts of climate change. SUNRISE stands for Sustaining and Nurturing Rural Angro-Industrial Social Enterprises.The project includes life-changing training that empowers women with skills and confidence to engage in the local economy, and develops the technical skills of farmers to help boost their income and withstand the impacts of climate change. Oxfam works WITH and not FOR, which is so important for genuine sustainable development. Projects like this give me hope in our effort to create a fairer, better world. Please help me reach my goal!! Every little bit makes a huge difference and I'm so grateful any support. <3

By Maneesha Todd @ 2 June 2019