SMU third-year student Gary Lee spoke about his experiences helping underprivileged girls in Meru, Kenya. Mr Lee, who is the founder of SMU Pendeza, shared the challenges he faced when he first started the project. He said that the university was concerned about their safety, as they would be travelling to Africa, and it took him 10 negotiations with the university before the proposal was accepted. Many parents barred their children from joining the project, also due to safety concerns. He said that the project has allowed him to grow as an individual, and that he has come to understand the importance of being persistent in pursuing one’s dream.