Move4Impact- Kilimanjaro 2027

I grew up at Eden. For me, Eden was never just a place I visited or volunteered at. It was home. It was where I ended up when I had nowhere else to go. I can still remember those early days. Everything felt unfamiliar, even the things that should have felt normal. Having a bed, getting a warm meal, having someone ask about my day—small things that I might take for granted now meant a lot to me then. I was not used to trusting that things would be okay, so even having hope felt a little frightening. But Eden gave me time. Nobody expected me to forget where I had come from overnight. Instead, there were people who were simply there. They helped with schoolwork, listened when things were difficult, shared stories, and made sure I knew that someone cared. Looking back, I realise that the cottage I lived in was much more than a building. It gave me somewhere safe to grow. More importantly, it gave me the opportunity to believe that my childhood did not have to determine the rest of my life. Today, being involved in raising funds to build new cottages at Eden means something very different to me. I know what it feels like to arrive as a child who is scared, uncertain and wondering what comes next. I also know what can happen when that child is given a safe place, support and people who are willing to believe in them. That is why this project is personal for me. When we raise money for a new cottage, we are not simply putting up walls and a roof. We are creating a place where another child can sleep safely, go to school, make friends, and begin to rebuild their life. We are giving them the same opportunity I was given. I am asking people to partner with us—not simply to donate, but to help create a home for a child who needs one. I know from experience that a safe home can change the direction of a child’s life. For me, Eden did. Now I want to help make sure it can do the same for someone else.