Smashed it!

6 days and counting . . . 

So pleased to finally be able to say I have hit my £800 target this morning!

A huge thanks to all of the amazing people who have helped me along the way, both with donations and your wonderful words of encouragement and support. 

It really does mean a huge amount.

A special thanks to my wonderful neighbours who recenlty donated and are the reason I can share this great news with you today. Much Appreciated!

It is hard to believe that in just under a week I will be boarding a plane bound for Malawi.

My bags are packed and ready, my phone has just been switched to pay as you go for the first time in 10 years and I'm starting to say my goodbyes starting with big BBQ this saturday. 

Fingers Crossed for good weather . . . 

xx

Say What?!

Friday Fun-Day Face Painting 

I've been taking everyone by surprise....and no, it's not my oh-so-scary Tiger face!

Since leaving school, I’ve jumped between several things, whether it be working, studying or just taking a break, and I’ve never stopped asking “What am I doing with my life?!” 

A lot, if not most of the time, university has been tied into the question somewhere. First you must understand that I am that type of person that people expect to do something worthwhile, and I guess the general understanding of “worthwhile” is jumping head first into higher education and finding a career. Boy did I surprise them!

On getting accepted to ICS, one of the many things I have enjoyed most is telling everyone what I am doing. You never quite know what reaction you are going to get. Some ask a million questions (at a million miles an hour of course), some ‘oooo’ and ‘rrrrr’ in amazement, then my personal favourite, are those that simply stand and stare as though I’ve just turned into a three-headed, eight-eyed, fire-breathing alien, with wings. As you can imagine it’s very amusing! 

Once over the initial shock however, everyone is extremely enthusiastic and endlessly encouraging, which only fuels my drive.

I have been overwhelmed by the immense amount of support I have received, not only from friends and family, but also strangers. Everyone is so ready and willing to lend a helping hand in any way they can. It is great to know that everyone is as excited by what I’m doing as I am. I am happy that I am able to share such an extraordinary experience with so many people. I am sure I will be back before I know it with a million wonderful experiences and beautiful photos to share with you all.

Till  then....

xx

Sharp Scratch!

18 Day to go ...

This was pushed back as long possible, but about a month ago I dragged myself down to the travel clinic for my first set of vaccines. 

After the usual form filling and medical history, I was whisked away into a side room, where I was asked a few questions about my travel plans and destination. This was inevitably followed by the summary of dangers and health risks that accompany such an adventure. 
As you can imagine, it wasn't a short list! 
When making the decision to volunteer in Africa, the thought of vaccines, malaria and disease prevention didn't even cross my mind. Looking back, it's definitely something I should have thought about.

With the number of blood tests I've had over the years, I am no stranger when it comes to  needles.....it's only a good thing that I forgot how sore your arm gets afterwards. Ouch!

I can happily say that this week I had my very last two vaccines, but I'm not exactly what you would describe as "the picture of health", so it looks like I'll be taking another trip to the hospital, as I apprehensively await full medical clearance. 
I remain a little nervous but still hopefully that it will be good news. 
 Fingers crossed! 

xx

P.S Don't forget about today's Friday Fun-Day at 3pm in Harris + Hoole, Crounch End!!!

Milestones

YAY I've passed the halfway mark!!!
I have so far raised £512, 64% of my total target!!

I would like to say a HUGE heart felt thank you to all my friends and family that have helped and/or donated so far. I am so very greatful!!!

One thing I have loved the fundraising process is getting the chance to meet some great people. Everyone is so willing to help, even people that don't even know me, whether it be by donating, sharing stories of their experiences, offering advice, volunteering their time to help....and much more. It is amazing to know people actually care.

In the chaos that is now my life, between work, fundraising and getting organised, I have since realised that I will soon be reaching a huge milestone of my own......

I'm turning 21!!! 
And that's not all. I'll be turning 21 in Malawi...where I will also be living for three months. If you asked me a month ago, I definitely wouldn't have said this, however I am extremely excited.
It's surely isn't going to be one I will be forgetting anytime soon!

It's obviously that you're all going to want to shower me with gifts for birthday, but seeing as I won't be here I just ask that you make a donation instead :)

Text TANU55 £2/£5/£10 to 70070 

or visit 

My JustGiving Page 

xx

APS Staff Cake Sale

A Super-Duper THANK YOU to the staff of Alexandra Park School for all of your support, but most of all your love! I hope you all enjoyed. :) 

I would also like a say a very special thanks to Mike Mckenzie for giving me the opportunity to hold, not 1 but 2 staff cake sales (much appreciated!). 

And let's not forget the wonderful Adali Cake Show for donating the delicious raspberry cream cake, everyone was very impressed.

I hope I have managed to sattisfy your cake cravings, because with your generous donations I have managed to raise a huge £90.

This officially brings me to a grand total of £452.

Now 56% of my target already achieved, I only have £348 to go!

Thank-you :)

xx

Kids Friday Fun-Day

My fundraising efforts are set to go off with a bang, I'm nearly half way and I'm set to host an action packed charity fundraiser in the form of 

Kids Friday Fun-day!

Harris + Hoole in Crouch End have kindly offered me a space at back of their store to be able to host Friday Fun-day and we will be lucky enough to be joined by local mum and face painter Kate from Doodle Cheeks.

With "guess how many sweets in the jar", drawing & colouring, face painting and some small craft activities, there's plenty to keep the children entertained while parents can sit back and relax with a coffee from Harris + Hoole.

Perfect start to the weekend if you aske me....and to top it off,

ALL Proceeds go to Charity!!!

It's an event you can't afford to miss!

Hope to see you all there.

xx

Manicure Me Fabulous

Steet & Rail Nails - Instagram @tanushrid

Lattitude Global Volunteering Nails

Lattitude Global Volunteering Nails

ICS nails

ICS nails

Inspired by the "Sunday Polish" feature on my "fashion & lifestyle" blog Street & Rail, and all of these "No-Makeup Selfies" I think its about time everyone shared my love of beautifully polished nails. 

Over the next three weeks, I will be lending my services to everyone and everyone looking to get a fabulous nail-makeover and all from only £5. 

I am happy to do absolutely anything you want on your nails (I love a bit of nail art), and you'll have exclusive access to my collection of Essie nail polish's.

 Sounds great right....well it gets even better...... 

It's a manicure with a difference because ALL proceeds  go to charity!

You will be left polished to perfection, and can leave knowing you've potentially made a lasting difference in the life of a smalll child living in poverty in Malawi.

If ever there was an excuse to get your nail's done, this is the prefect one.

Polish Change - £5

Full Manicure - Shape & Polish £7

Contact Me via

text/call 07761501745 / Blog Comment / Facebook Message / Tweet

xx

P.S Sorry to say that my Chairty Open Mic Night is no longer going ahead due to lack of suitable venue space. :(

Big Difference with Small Change! #smallchangechallenge

You are looking for a job....now imagine you did not go to school. You have no education. You cannot read or write. What would you do?

This is the harsh reality that many people around the world face everyday of their lives. 

Malawi is one of Africa's poorest countries and the lack of education is very common, meaning entire families are stuck in a continuous cycle of poverty.

You can help change this, with just small change.

I will soon be off to Sangilo, Malawi to help provide sustainable pre-school and primary education in what is currently a very basic village. 

I am aiming to get 800 £1 donations in just under 20days, in order to help me reach my £800 target! 

This is where you come in...

You just need to donate £1 & spread the word with #smallchangechallenge!!

Simply 

Text TANU55 £1/£2/£5 >>to>> 70070

or visit

Just Giving

Need an incentive?! 
Well since I hate chillies I promise to eat a whole chilli for every £100 I make by April 1st to show you just how dedicated I am....and that's not all, I will film my suffering for your enjoyment.
We are so up to 2, but this is potentially 8 very hot chillies!!!

Your small change combined will make a big difference.

xx

Engage Stage - Mission Accepted

Our Journey

As promised, I have returned with a training update and some photo's! 

Intensive training weekend it sure was...

We covered everything imaginable, from Millennium Development Goals (MDG's) and health & safety, to cross-cultural working and integration. As expected, there were also plenty of group activities and team building exercises.

With 22 in total, it wasn't a small group, but everyone was very friendly and it provided the prefect opportunity to meet others in the same boat. 

Being able to sharing our excitement and worries, helped to bring this currently surreal experience to reality.

Our Malawi group is a crazy bunch, but I love them all and can't wait to share this amazing experience with them!! The next time we will all see each other is at Heathrow airport for our departure.

After an action packed three days, I arrived home absolutely exhausted! All plans went out the window in favour of some quality time with my duvet ;)!

xx

P.S Hope no one minds me using the group photo :D x

Engage Training Weekend

Packed and ready to go

Blogging on the go.....

Currently en route to the April departure Engage Workshop after a near ticket disaster (stupid ticket machine)...why are there no human beings in train ticket offices these days!!!

Back to the important stuff....

Part of the ICS Lattitude programme, we are bound for fun packed and detailed traning weekend in preparation for the lead up to our departure......which is fast approaching!

Our training weekend is designed help get our heads around what is set to be a life changing experinece. It will cover everything from the ICS & Lattitude programme, emersing yourself into a new culture, health and safety, and cross cultural working. In addition, we will recieve our pre-placement information handbook, and have our inevitable questions answered. I know I definitely have some!

This also gives us the chance to meet our fellow team mates for the very first time! We will be spending a lot of time together over the next few months, so I suspect we are all excited and anxious to meeting one another, and in store for some quality team bonding. 

Bound for the beautiful, Britsh countryside of Buckinghamshire, and this weekend destined for some spring sunshine, I imagine we are going to have no problem settling in together.

I will hopefully have an update and some pictures to share with you come Monday...

(or if you have instagram @tanushrid)

Bye for now xx

Open Mic Night - Charity Special

I've teamed up with Big Bang Entertainment to bring you an exclusive Open Mic Night - Charity Special!! 

Join us as we collaborate to bring you the biggest night ever.

The night will be filled with a handful of guests from the charity as well as local vocal performers who would like to showcase their talent on stage...... And lets not forget you!

All proceeds made on the night will be donated to charity.

A donation will be made to latitude on behalf of Tanushri Gukhool via just giving towards her £800 target.

The entry fee is £3.

Snacks and beverages will be available to buy at the bar.

Any audience members that would like to perform please contact Tanushri Gukhool or Sophie Lorrayne Stephenson via Facebook inbox by Thursday 20th March.

Hope to see you all there. 

xx

Everything Must Go!

Car Boot sale, sporting my Lattitude T-Shirt

After a very long and tiring  Saturday, spent visiting a ridiculous number of supermarkets in the hopes of getting a bag-packing or collection spot over the coming weeks, I made a very last minute decision to have a carboot sale in the attempt to start my fundraising efforts. 

After a quick search of the house, I was pleasantly surprised by the number of bags we managed to scrambled together at the last minute. 

Sunday morning was an early start as we packed up the car and set off for our local Car Boot sale at Bounds Green Primary School. 

I wasn't expecting anyone to be there quite so early on a Sunday but everyone was really lovely, and although most drove a very hard bargin, all were freindly and very supportive of such a great cause.

I managed to raise a grand total of £0 in just 3 hours, so all in all pretty sucessful!

Also a quick note to say a Big THANK YOU to everyone that has donated so far. :)

. . . there's still time, just visit my Just Giving page, or simply text 

TANU55 + £1/£2/£3/£5 to 70070

Happy Monday xx

It's Official!

So excited my face hurts....

I am delighted to tell everyone that earlier this week I found out that I have been accepted onto Lattitude's ICS Volunteer Programme. 

This morning I signed my Volunteer Agreement so its final!

Towards the end of April, with your help, I will be flying off with a small group to Sangilo, Malawi as part of a three month Volunteer Programme with Latitude ICS.

Based in a small village 3 hours north of Mzuzu, the project is focused on developing the access and quality of pre-school and primary education for young children, as well as the range of activities available. 

As well as teaching support, being a small, rural village it is also likely that some construction work will be required to create more toilets and wash facilities for what currently only has basic amenities. Yes....this means there are no western toilets or showers, and no electricity!

Latitude’s Sangilo project is part of a development charity that is working to deliver the International Citizens Service (ICS). ICS aims to bring people together to fight poverty and make a difference where it is most needed. To enable them to be able to make an impact in these developing countries by introducing these positive changes, I am going to raise £800 and need your help!!!

I have big things planned over the coming months and hopefully you’ll all be getting involved along the way, so watch this space for more updates.....

In the mean time don’t forget to donate on my Just Giving page.

Your support is much appreciated.

xx

http://www.justgiving.com/tanushrigukhool