I work for a big publishing house for school books and our slogan is “Welcome to the world of learning”. Fact is, lots of girls out there are not welcomed to a world of education where they can learn and grow and develop skills to live a self-determined life and are free to create an exciting future. Plus a country of educated people is usually a prosperous country. Educate a girl and she´ll change the world – what a concept, you got me there!

Your first fundraising campaign was insanely successful – you raised over $3600 in less than two months. How did you do it so quickly?

I was so enthusiastic about the campaign that I told everyone about OneGirl and got others excited, too. I told my colleagues every day at lunch about the progress of the campaign and people just started to give very generously. Plus some of my best friends got involved and did the same so we spread the news together and we raised the money in less than 6 weeks. I think that was the key!

What was your favourite moment during your fundraising and training campaign?

I woke up one morning, checked our fundraising page, and over night people I’d never even met before had donated hundreds of dollars! I was SO excited!

Oh, and the moment we crossed the finish line and it suddenly hit me that I had just run my first half marathon. I was so exhausted, but very happy. We had been training in ice and snow (sometimes with snow up to our ankles) all throughout cold German winter, but the day of the half marathon was the first day of summer: We were greeted with bright sunshine and 25,000 runners on the road – a fantastic day! 

Did you learn anything from your first fundraising campaign that you do differently next time? 

I learned that people that you think will give without a doubt, don´t necessarily give anything and people that you barely know and didn´t even have on your radar, go above and beyond. You can’t talk people into giving or believing in a cause. Some won´t even listen. You can share what it’s all about and then it’s up to them. I don’t worry about it too much anymore. The people who want to give, give and the money just comes together when you keep on sharing the story.

So after making such a huge difference in the lives of women and girls in Sierra Leone, what’s next for you? 

Hmmm.. I’d LOVE to go to Sierra Leone with you next year to meet the girls personally. That is really something I would love to do!