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Like many others, on 26th March I got a letter from my GP advising me that I am vulnerable to COVID-19. A week or so passed, working from home, but generally lazing around. Then, on Monday 6th April, I decided to get moving. I dragged our much under used treadmill into my home-office setup and began what is now turning into a commitment to run 5K-A-Day during my lockdown! (One day rest per week).

That will be a total of 8 weeks... 

54 days...

1500ish minutes...

270KM!!!

Then I began to wonder if I could use this commitment to fundraise for a charity that is very close to my heart.  Actions Not Words is a NI registered charity who are focused on helping children and families that live and work on a dumpsite in Nakuru, Kenya, called Gioto Garbage Slum.

The main focus of the charity is to provide under-privileged children with a quality education, and there are currently 110 children receiving full-time education in private boarding schools through their program. This means that each child gets the opportunity of a quality education, and their families on the dumpsite don't need to worry about finding money to feed and clothe their children.

Kenya, like most of the world right now, is reacting to the ever-changing COVID-19 pandemic and in March all schools closed. This has sadly caused an immediate concern for families living on the dumpsite, as they now need to find extra food for their children that have come home from boarding school. Many of the families are really struggling and Actions Not Words are hearing devastating stories of people having to borrow food from neighbours, or even going without food for days. In addition to this, the markets where people generally shop have been closed, and the price of food in the supermarkets have sky rocketed, so the problem is compounded.

Since I have been involved in Actions Not Words, it continues to break my heart that anyone should have to live on a dumpsite, but this is the sad the reality for many, many families in Nakuru. Gioto Garbage slum is a crazy place where all of the town's waste is dumped, and people scavenge through the rubbish collecting plastic and metal to sell for recycling, and waste food for their meals. This is difficult and dangerous work, and the reward is only a few shillings er day.

From my 5k-A-Day challenge I would love Actions Not Words to be able to help the families and individuals living in and around Giotto Garbage Slum by providing food and medication where it is required, and generally to support people who are becoming increasingly desperate and afraid during this world crisis. 

Naturally, we are all anxious about COVID-19 and there are needs and concerns across the UK right now. I also realise that money is tight for a lot of people in the UK, so I know I am asking a lot, but it would be amazing if by running 270km over 50 odd days I could raise enough money to take the pressure off of families who are living in abject poverty on a dumpsite!

Thank you so much for reading this far, and please donate large or small - it will all be very much appreciated. Stay safe, and take time to find and appreciate the good in these turbulent days.

Ivan  

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