Story
Shanghai Marathon:
Distance: The Full Whack: 26 Miles
Date: Sunday December 5th 2010
I have taken on the challenge to run my first ever Marathon to see this insane city in yet another insane way. Please support my slightly courageous and completely mad efforts to further support my friends in The Gambia............
From Aug 2008 to Aug 2009, I lived and worked as a VSO volunteer for the Ministry of Education in The Gambia, living locally in the rural region of Basse. Whilst there, I was lucky enough to get directly involved with some fantastic community projects, watching people pull together in the face of adversity to build a better future for themselves, their families and neighbours.
Future Project: Building a Banana Plantation!
I will be returning to The Gambia during January 2011 to support their latest project being run in conjunction with Concern Universal - the development of a Banana Plantation, owned and managed by the Kabakama Women's co-operative to directly support their own poverty alleviation.
SUNDAY 5th DECEMBER: I will run my first ever Marathon, all 26 miles of it around the streets of my latest home, Shanghai (shanghai marathon)
Saturday 11th December: My sister Clare will swim 5km in our hometown before we hold a Xmas themed 'Gambia race night' (invites to follow seperately - contact my family for details).
Target: £2000
Land size: 62, 500m2 (donated by village leader) Participation: Further increasing participation of 100+ community members in income generation and poverty alleviation.
So please dig deep - Click "Donate now"
What was achieved last year?:
A small £1000 donation produced the following results:
1. 1 Hector of land was developed for horticultural vegetable production.
2. From an initial 82 members, an additional 67 female farmers were included in production, offering income to support their families with health and education. 3. First harvest produced 7290 Kgs vegetables (2776 Kgs Onion, 2282Kgs Okra, 2232Kgs Tomatoes) 4. Total value of first harvest production amounted to D207,209 (£5,182).
The Gambia:
· The Gambia is ranked as the 15th poorest country in the world (UN Human Development Index 2009) · Life expectancy at birth is 55.7 years (79.3 years in the UK) · UN Research has also shown that 55-60% of the country’s population is living below the poverty line. o (70% of whom are living in rural Gambia (Kabakama), 80% of whom are Women)
Please dig deep - Click "Donate now"
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