After two long years, I am back on the open road and excited to do something both challenging and philanthropic. This June, I will challenge myself in a rather unique and unconventional way and run my first ever half-marathon in West Africa’s Sierra Leone with RuntheWorld, supporting the work of NGO, Street Child.
Prior to the events that transpired in March of 2020, one of the ways I felt to give service to the world was to volunteer or connect with local communities and support their respective causes. From documenting the movement of semi-wild elephants in Northern Thailand for scientific data to improve conservation efforts, to building homes and assisting with farming regeneration in rural Nepal, to advocating for farmers’ rights in the Philippines, I have had the privilege of experiencing life-changing encounters where I have felt deeply connected to sustainable development and advocacy.
This is why, when the opportunity arose to head to Sierra Leone to learn about, and assist with the funding of, education initiatives for vulnerable children and adults, I felt inclined to say yes.
There are times when our intuition guides us outside of our comfort zone because the motivation to embrace the new is much stronger than the motivation to stay confined. Today, my intuition is my guide and it’s leading me to Sierra Leone.
About the Sierra Leone marathon
The marathon in Sierra Leone is a collaborative partnership between RuntheWorld and Street Child.
RuntheWorld is a social enterprise providing adventure and sporting experiences with a positive impact. They offer authentic sporting opportunities, like marathons, that involve local immersion while supporting social projects from a place of humility, optimism and solidarity.
Street Child is a global organisation that helps vulnerable children and adults to overcome barriers to gain access to the education they deserve.
RuntheWorld
“An unforgettable experience awaits you. As well as experiencing countries and cultures different to your own, you will discover a parallel reality full of surprises and emotions. In tropical surroundings, you will discover the projects of one of the more active NGOs in the area, and you will meet a new group of friends united by the same cause- that is one experience that no runner would want to miss. It is not about the destination, it is about the journey.”
What cause is the marathon supporting?
Street Child works with rural communities in some of the most remote parts of Sierra Leone where children often miss out on the opportunity to gain the most basic literacy and numeracy skills.
In places with no access to schools, Street Child work in partnership with willing rural communities to build ‘first-ever schools’ and identify members of the community to undertake formal distance teacher training. They also support struggling rural schools with teaching and learning materials and essential school repairs, alongside tailored teacher training that emphasises inclusive education.
As the world’s focus continues on the aftermath of the pandemic and the war unravelling in Ukraine, more than 300 million children around the world lack basic literacy skills, inhibited by poverty and lack of access to education.
According to UNESCO, “Education is a human right and a force for sustainable development and peace.” If we are to achieve Sustainable Development Goal #4 – Quality Education, the work of organisations like Street Child is imperative.
Related resources –
Listen to my interview with RuntheWorld founder and CEO, Carole Sanchez, and European Development Manager for Street Child, Marina Lopez, on the link below:
Listen to the Instagram live where Carole and I discuss more about the marathon and the cause –
How to support me?
I would like to ask you, my incredible community, to assist me in reaching my fundraising goal of €1200 to support Street Child and their work in Sierra Leone. 100% of your donations will go to the organisation. I will fund my own travels to Sierra Leone for the marathon and Facebook takes care of the donation processing with no fees.
➡️ €35 can send a child to school for a whole year
➡️ €70 can provide a mother with a business grant
➡️ €105 can provide learning materials for a whole classroom of students
➡️ €350 can train a teacher and improve teaching quality
Thank you for your continued support. Catch me live on Instagram from June 1st 2022 when the adventure begins.
~B
