The Audacity of Hope!

'I am a firm believer in hope, a firm believer in the greater good of mankind! It never ceases to amaze me how much people can give (of their time, talents and other resources) when they know it will make someone else's life better. Yes, I am incurably optimistic and mighty proud of it!' Ladi Dariya

So, Friday the 11th of October was the day Ladi Dariya, was given a '2 minute life-line' to speak at the 25th Annual General Meeting of the Association of Maintained Girls' Schools. Speaking to Head teachers and their deputies, she expressed her concerns about the lack of  will to support girls learning in many developing countries. She encouraged head teachers to invite the TSTG team to make presentations on the plight of girls around the world, at their various schools. The following Monday, Ladi spoke at the 3rd Annual Science Conference held at the institute of Physics. Stressing the need for a 'sisterhood' of support, she hoped that the roomful of girls from twenty five schools across the UK would recognise that 'with great privilege comes great responsibility' and support the education of others less fortunate than they are. The girls applauded the idea of supporting the education of other girls. The response following these presentations has kept the flame of hope burning inside of her.

Nothing but hope and the audacity of letting it and curiosity take over ones life could have led to this! On Friday the 18th of October, Ladi Dariya was very privileged to be presented to Her Majesty The Queen at a Reception held for Youth, Education and the Commonwealth in Buckingham Palace. She also had the opportunity of speaking with Princess Beatrice who expressed an interest in the work of the CCLEF and its TSTG. This is absolutely marvellous!

The Queen and I.


On Tuesday the 22nd of October, Ladi was invited as a guest at the opening of Eltham Hill High School. The Utra-modern new school which was 10 years in building is nothing short of beautiful! A questions and answers session with students on the CCLEF and the TSTG as well as an interview for the local newspaper followed.  

Fantastic achievement Eltham!

The 'Thousand Schools for a Thousand Girls Initiative' is at the BigGive Christmas Challenge 2013!

The BigGive Christmas Challenge 2013 What bigger Christmas gift than to give the gift of education? The 'Thousand Schools for a Thousand Girls Initiative'  of the Commonwealth Countries League Education Fund (CCLEF) is taking part in the BigGive Christmas challenge this year!   An astonishing number of girls all over the world still do not have a chance to complete, sometimes even start, their education at secondary school level. Prejudice, domestic responsibilities, early marriage, HIV/AIDS, poverty and the need to earn income all mitigate against educating girls. When we give education, we know the gift will shared with families and communities so your gift will be passed on way beyond each sponsored girl helping to build personal and economic freedom. The Big Give Christmas Challenge begins at 10am, Thursday 5th of December and then from 10am, Friday 6th December and from 10am, Saturday 7th December 2013. When you give online, the BigGive promises to match your donation! Please click on the link below to give to the 'Thousand Schools for a Thousand Girls' Initiative and give the gift of education to girls around the world!   https://secure.thebiggive.org.uk/donation/to/10898/20209/commonwealth-countries-league-education-fund/a-thousand-schools-for-a-thousand-girls   Hurry as match funding finishes very quickly.   Many thanks, Ladi

To know more about the wonderful work of the CCLEF and the 1000 schools for a 1000 girls, visit www.cclef.org.

An incredible year: August and September update!

It has been a most fantastic year, fast-paced beyond believe! I can only apologize for not updating this blog as regularly as I ought to, and give you all a blow by blow summary of what has happened over the last few months.


August was the month to reflect on what the TSTG has achieved over the past year and make plans for the new school year which started in September for the UK. Not to blow our own horn but to help us consolidate effort in the areas that have worked and find ways to expand the initiative, we outline five key achievements over the past academic year.

The TSTG has raised over £15,000 during the last academic year from UK school children, organisations and individuals. A further £4,873.75 was raised by the TSTG co-ordinator running the British 10K!

The TSTG blog has achieved 1,629 page views from December 2012 to August 2013. Not in 'danger' of going viral but pretty impressive particularly when you know that the British Library considers the content useful enough as a resource to have archived it!

New corporate relationship has been formed with Lloyds TSB Group to develop new engaging materials for the campaign.

The TSTG co-ordinator and Madrinha Trust's Head of Communications has been named a Commonwealth Study Conference Leader for 2014. Started by HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, 'the CSCLeaders assembles exceptional people from across the Commonwealth to tackle global challenges and build the relationships needed by the leaders of tomorrow'. Way to go hunh?

On Thursday the 12th of September, the eve of the London Fashion Week, the Commonwealth Countries League Education Fund hosted a fantastic Fashion show at the May Fair Hotel. Dubbed the 'Splendours of the Commonwealth', it was an extraordinarily colourful event! Showcasing designers from across the Commonwealth, the 'Splendours' was intended not only to celebrate Commonwealth Fashion but to also highlight the work of the CCLEF and to draw attention to the plight of girls across the Commonwealth. The event which was covered by MarieClaire and showed a masterpiece contributed by Jenny Packham who has designed for The Duchess of Cambridge among others, was breathtakingly glamorous to say the least! 

Watch out for Splendours of the Commonwealth 2014! It will be double the fun and raise an incredible amount!
(www.splendoursofthecommonwealth.com)