Second concert in Shirley Chen’s fundraising series draws community support for children’s learning
LONDON, June 28 — An 11th-grade student from Wycombe Abbey School has raised $1,977 for orphan education in Kenya through a charity concert held on June 28 at St Mary Bourne Street church in London.
Shirley Chen, founder of Girl Rise Global — a London-based GirlUp community club — organised the “Shirley & Friends” concert to benefit the Achungo Children’s Centre in Kenya, which provides care and schooling to vulnerable children. All proceeds from the evening of vocal performances will fund books, school supplies, and learning resources at the centre.
Chen conceived and executed every aspect of the event — from the initial fundraising pitch and logistics planning to poster design and rehearsal scheduling — enlisting classmates as her performing partners. The programme featured a selection of vocal pieces performed by Chen and her school friends, blending classical and contemporary repertoire in an intimate setting that drew sustained applause and moved several audience members to pledge additional support.
“It was a beautiful concert for a beautiful cause,” several families said after the event.
The June concert follows a similar event Shirley organised in Hong Kong in January 2026, where proceeds supported the GirlUp project for girls’ education. Together, the two events reflect her commitment to turning awareness into tangible support for education in underserved communities.
Through Girl Rise Global, Shirley continues to organise events and build a community of young people dedicated to expanding educational access — one concert at a time.
About Girl Rise Global
Girls Rise Global is founded by then-15-year-old singer Shirley.It’s a London-based community organization under GirlUp, a United Nations Foundation initiative dedicated to advancing girls’ education, leadership, and empowerment in developing regions.
Website: https://www.girlriseglobal.org/
Instagram: @girl_rise_global
