Girls and young women face particular challenges in Kenya and this fund focusses on providing them with education opportunities so that they can build a better life for themselves, their families and the wider community. The fund is inspired by Audrey Leitch who in the late 50s and early 60s taught young professional Kenyan women Pitman shorthand typing at 'Kianda' in Nairobi. Kianda is a local word for "fertile valley", meaning that everything that is planted flourishes

Audrey (21st May 1929 - 4th June 2019) qualified as a shorthand typist in central London in her late teens, starting her working life as a young business woman in the world of finance and education. She had a tremendous thirst for travel, setting off to work for extended periods of time in Paris and Lausanne, a plucky thing to do whilst Europe was still reeling from the aftermath of war.

After marrying the love of her life, Freddy, in 1957, they set off to Kenya, where she had her two sons. From Kenya they worked in Nigeria, Ghana and Zambia, so Africa became an important part of their lives. She settled in retirement in Stogumber, Somerset, England, where she was much loved by family and friends.