A woman from Abbots Langley is taking part in a challenge of a life time in order to help educate and provide positive futures for vulnerable children in Southern Africa.

Katie Prowse, 29, of Pinehurst Close, will walk 250km of harsh bush terrain, from the banks of Lake Kariba all the way to Livingstone and Victoria Falls to support the work of community schools in Zambia.

On foot by day and under canvas by night, Ms Prowse and four other walkers will undergo the 14 day expedition, which will take place in July.

All five walkers are actively involved in charity School Club Zambia, which was established in 2011 by a group of professionals in Zambia who recognised the huge financial and technical gaps in the support available for the country’s 5,000 community schools.

The founders’ objectives were to provide an alternative financing model for these vulnerable community schools.

Ms Prowse is a trustee at the charity.

The five walkers will be joined by a local Tonga speaking guide, who will navigate the more remote stretches, and will be supported by 4x4 vehicles for part of the way, and by donkeys who will help to carry equipment and supplies across the tougher terrain that vehicles cannot access.

There are two objectives for the walk - to raise funding to set up a new school-run enterprise at Chisyabulungu Community School in Siansowa and to create a greater awareness of community schools and the vital services they provide.

"The expedition is getting terrifyingly exciting now as it is less than 12 weeks to go until we start striding out.

"In preparation I have been training hard, not only walking to work and back when its not raining, (9 kilometres each way) but also getting into the gym to build up my stamina.

"The motivation for the walk is that I know what a positive impact these schools having income generating businesses makes, see the change and empowerment in communities and mostly in girls and women.

"In comparison to what the communities face out there, this walk doesn't touch the sides of the valued lengths people will go to get an education."

The minimum fundraising target is set at £7,000, however all efforts are going to exceeding the target so more schools can be helped.

Ms Prowse added: "We are seeking some corporate sponsors for the walk, so if this sounds like something you’d like to support through your business then please get in touch.

"In return we can offer advertising through a variety of media avenues including on our kit or involvement at press event before or after the walk.

"Any other donations of equipment, supplies or services would also be gratefully received."

To support the team and sponsor their epic journey, visit http://mydonate.bt.com/events/footstepsforfutures and follow them on http://www.facebook.com/footstepsforfutures