Story
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>As some of you will already know, this year I am planning on running the Paris Marathon. And, with my usual high levels or organisation, I am finally getting round to telling you all about it, whilst coming to you all with cap in hand on behalf of Jesuit Missions, the charity who have taken the risk of allowing me to be associated with them.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>You are probably all aware that I am a phenomenal athlete and committed to maintaining a level of peak physical conditioning at all times (which explains<span> </span>my abstention from drink and drugs, and my near-saintly approach to life). However, despite this, I think I am still going to struggle for every single one of the 42 kilometres I intend to run in Paris on April 15. So please support my ongoing attempts to lose every single one of my toenails in support of a worthwhile cause about which, I have written a lengthy description below:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>Thank you.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><br><br>Jesuit Missions is a charity which supports and coordinates projects all around the world where members of the Society of Jesus work, together with their local communities, to address local issues, whatever they may be, and to improve the quality of life for the people of these communities. Their role is to spearhead fundraising initiatives, provide logistical support and to raise awareness of the plight of people in developing countries.<br><br>In 2005, I had the opportunity to visit Chikuni Parish in Zambia (one of the centers of activity for this organisation) to see the difference that the local Jesuit Missionaries can make, and I have seen, first-hand, the amazing work that these people do every single day of their lives. <br><br>Chikuni Parish is a huge and remote area in the south Zambia with very little in the way or local infrastructure with few opportunities for all generations but most notably for children to gain an education and for sufferers of HIV to receive medical treatment and nutritional support. In this community the Society of Jesus has helped to address these issues by setting up Chikuni Radio, which is designed "to inform, to educate and to entertain". This radio station not only broadcasts local news from all over the parish but, with a listenership of some 100,000-250,000 people is integral to local communities to educate, not only from an academic standpoint, but in a social one as well. The radio show can be used to discuss topics from anything from HIV AIDS to agricultural advice. It is also the only source of education for thousands of children who live too in areas too remote to have access to an education otherwise. They can travel to a local radio school where a teacher/coordinator will lead these children through the day’s lesson, as shown in the main photo of this page).</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>This is a way in which the Jesuits play a consultative role in improving the lives of those people around them, but they also play a direct role in a number of guises, not least of all, the operating of a Home Based Care unit which is responsible for treating the sick, needy and destitute. I was able to witness this in action and have seen what a positive effect this has for countless individuals in the area.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>I could go on and on about this cause and continue to promote it but for now </span><span>all I will say is that you have my word that is a charity which, whilst probably unknown to most of you, plays a crucial role around the world, not just in Zambia where I have witnessed this first-hand, but in countless countries globally.<br><br>If you would like any more information on this charity, please see the below links:</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span>Jesuit Missions:</span></strong><span><br>http://www.jesuitmissions.org/<br><br><strong>Chikuni Parish:</strong><br><a href="http://www.chikuniradio.org/About/AboutUs.php">http://www.chikuniradio.org/About/AboutUs.php</a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLuJW7Zmh24">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLuJW7Zmh24</a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>And if you would like to read my account of my experiences in 2005:<br><br><a href="http://www.jesuitmissions.org/companionsprogramme/schools/">http://www.jesuitmissions.org/companionsprogramme/schools/</a></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span>(click on the link which says Mount St Mary’s College and Canitius Secondary School, scroll down, and forgive the terribly-written diary entries)</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: Cambria;">Thanks for your time and, hopefully, your support!</span></p>