KARINA Smith and her mum Vicki are going the distance to raise money for women living in poverty.
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Ms Smith, 21, spent two months volunteering with World Youth International in Kenya and saw first-hand the impact of poverty.
"It was an amazing experience," she said.
"Two months was a long time to be there so it was really eye-opening and challenging.
"But I loved it."
Ms Smith's experiences prompted her to register for CARE’s Walk In Her Shoes Challenge 2014.
The event encourages Australians to walk and raise money to support women and girls living in poverty and will run from March 17 to March 23.
Participants can choose between a 25, 50 or 100-kilometre challenge.
Ms Smith has enlisted in the help of her mum Vicki and they have registered as team Heart and Soles.
"We will be supporting each other in a challenge to walk over 100 kilometres in one week around the local Bendigo community," she said.
"We have a webpage where people are able to track our progress and sponsor our team.
"People’s sponsorship will help to improve the lives of people in poverty overseas and raise awareness to empower women and girls to lift themselves out of poverty."
Ms Smith said women in third world countries traditionally had to walk long distances to source daily essentials such as food and water.
"Because of that walking they miss out on educational opportunities," she said.
"So the money raised from this project might go towards things like getting clean water in the community so they don't have to walk as far which will mean the girls could go to school.
"I actually signed up for the challenge at The Body Shop in Hargreaves Mall.
"I'd definitely encourage people to get involved themselves or donate to the cause."
For more information or to donate visit www.walkinhershoes.org.au
