In 2004 I was running half marathons to train for a full marathon.  Today I am lucky if i can complete a 10k in an hour and a half.  So the idea of taking part in a half marathon in Edinburgh next year in May is frankly a massive challenge.  And I want to do this - to get fit, lose weight, all the usual things, for a very special cause - Street Child Africa.

Like many small grass-root organizations SCA is trying to create something positive out of a desperate situation.  They  directly fund (no middle men) 10 front-line projects in seven countries across sub Sahara Africa, the poorest geographical region on the planet.  

Climate change is turning the area into a wasteland.  Cattle and people are dying.  In east Africa it has not rained for 5 seasons. Relentless deforestation compounds the situation.  Malaria and AIDs are rife.  There are conflicts over rapidly diminishing resources.  50% of the population of Africa is now under 16 years of age and they live in urban areas - shanty towns and slums. 

SCA fund teams of reliable, trusted street workers to seek out the children sleeping and living on the street to give them some on-the-spot basic education and invite them to a drop-in centre to wash and rest.  They get help on nutrition and health and they also get the chance to play - like other children.  Drama, theatre, music and most important football.  For a small number of very able children they do offer a 3-year apprenticeship or vocational likeskill course  in  car mechnaics, hairdressing, carpentry, ceramics.  Those few lucky children can go on and have a future with a skill they can sell when they are older.  For most street children life is very harsh, very cruel and very short. The cost of a 3 year apprenticeship for one street child in Ghana is £2,300. 

So I do hope you will support my efforts and in so doing, support this really worthy cause.

Many thanks

Anne