<p> </p> <p>Hello there. Thanks so much for visiting my JustGiving page.</p> <p>On the 7th of May 2012 I will be running my very first marathon to raise money for Mission Africa. A few months ago, I would never have dreamt of running 26 miles, but very soon that is exactly what I&rsquo;ll be doing! This will without doubt be the hardest thing I have ever done, but all for a very good cause.</p> <p>This summer, I will be spending 4 weeks of August in Ogugu, Nigeria, with an organisation called Mission Africa. I&rsquo;ll be going there with a team to help out with a community HIV project, which aims to raise awareness, give counselling and promote a healthy lifestyle in a country where HIV affects over 3.6 million people, with AIDS killing over 600 people each day. The team will be working with the local communities, schools and hospitals to run HIV/AIDS education programmes through teaching and sport.<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: &amp;quot;Times New Roman&amp;quot;; mso-fareast-font-family: &amp;quot;Times New Roman&amp;quot;; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-fareast-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br></span></span></p> <p>Nigeria is currently in an HIV/AIDS epidemic, with the 3 highest population number living with the disease in the world, behind India and South Africa. Women and children are greatly affected: Nigeria has the highest number of AIDS orphans in Sub Saharan Africa and young women (aged 15-24) are the most affected group. Nigeria is standing at a critical point in its epidemic, where increased prevention and treatment measures are needed to stop numbers escalating.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Mission Africa is an interdenominational evangelical organisation founded 125 years ago, with the aim to reach out to some of the most disadvantaged people in one of the poorest areas of the world. The organisation is currently working in Nigeria, Chad and Burkina Faso through various projects to help those suffering from HIV/AIDS, streetkids and women who are exploited. They provide healthcare, counselling, support groups, education and share the love of Jesus with some of the most oppressed people in our word.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Any donation, however small, would be much appreciated and will go a long way in helping to change many lives.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Thanks so much for taking the time to read this,</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Ruth</p>