Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.
Even though the race is over, I’d still like to ask you to sponsor my Half Marathon (which took place on Oct 10th) to raise £5,400 to
feed a group of 13,500 displaced Burmese refugee children for one day.
(Race Update - see live video from the race here)
In August, I spent 3 days visiting the communities around Mae Sot, on the Thai/Burmese border, where up to 200,000 people who have fled the Burmese regime and its persecution of the people (mainly, but not limited to the Karen people).
As the “elections” scheduled for Nov 7 in draw closer, more families arrive daily. Some are victims of systematic rape by the Burmese army, and some are former, traumatised child soldiers, pressed into service when their villages were overrun.
Among this group are 13,500 children who attend over 50 simple schools, taught by dedicated teachers (some not paid for months). Around 2,500 of these children are orphans, living in basic board houses, many to a room.
I visited some of these schools and children, and taught a small group of them some English in a bamboo classroom equipped with just with a few donated desks. I was incredibly impressed with their enthusiasm in such surroundings.
Many kind people and organisations already support the efforts to house, feed and educate these casualties of one of the world’s worst regime, but as the numbers continue to increase, the funds available are just not enough.
Most worrying of all – more than the lack of school books, teachers’ salaries and more – is the lack of funds to provide one decent meal per day. Hungry pupils cannot concentrate or learn, and some of them are at risk of falling ill as their resistance to infection falls.
I would like to do something to help feed these children, so on 10 October, I’m running the Black Forest Half Marathon, and I’d like to ask for your sponsorship in raising enough money to feed these 13,500 children just one good meal for one day (one meal costs around 40p) – the total sum needed is £5,400.
For those interested in this issue, see this letter published in the Financial Times on Aug 22 from Dr Cynthia Maung, a Burmese/Karen refugee doctor who set up and runs one of the best known clinics and general aid organisations in the area.
If any of you are interested, Dr Cynthia will be visiting and on Nov 11-14and I would be happy to try to arrange for her to meet people interested in learning more about how they can support this cause in other ways.
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate.
So please dig deep and donate now!
