I’m running 10K to raise funds for the Workneh Dechasa Education Foundation, a UK-registered charity working to improve educational opportunities for children in rural Oromia, Ethiopia. The Foundation is building and equipping an elementary school in Malkaa Dhagaa-Gudar, where many children have traditionally had to travel long distances, often on foot, to attend school, while some from poorer families have missed out on education altogether.

The school fulfils the vision of the late Workneh Bedhane Dechasa, who was born in the area and began his career as a teacher before moving to London. From 1991, he worked with Camden Education Authority to help schools support refugee and asylum-seeking children and improve educational opportunities for newly arrived families.

Workneh dreamed of establishing a school on land owned by his family in his home community. Following his death in 2019, his widow Aster, his son Yadata, and a dedicated group of family, friends and colleagues committed themselves to making that dream a reality. Every donation, however large or small, will support this inspiring legacy and help give more children access to a good-quality education.