This is my first marathon and dedicated to the Congo Children Trust, a charity that tirelessly works to uplift the lives of children in the DRC.

The DRC, a land rich in cobalt, the lifeblood of our everyday devices, is ironically a scene of exploitation and hardship. Children are often forced into labor, working under hazardous conditions to extract these resources. The book, Cobalt Red, was an eye opener for me to these harsh realities. Author Siddharth Kara revealed the toxic and dangerous conditions of cobalt mining and the lack of benefits the DRC receives from its mineral wealth due to foreign exploitation and corruption.

Cobalt is toxic to touch and breathe, and it's often bound with other hazardous elements like radioactive uranium. The health consequences for those involved in mining include cancers, birth defects, respiratory ailments, and acute dermatitis. The DRC, despite being rich in resources, has not benefited from its mineral wealth due to a history of foreign exploitation, corruption, and poor governance. The value of these resources is siphoned off by foreign powers and multinational corporations.

The consumer-facing tech and electric vehicle companies at the top of the supply chain reap the lion's share of the value derived from cobalt mining. The history of exploitation in the Congo, including the slave trade, foreign pillage, and colonialism, has left the region extremely poor.

The funds raised through this marathon will go directly to the Congo Children Trust, aiding their efforts to provide education, healthcare, and a safe haven for the children of the DRC. The Trust operates through donations, fundraising, and grants, and runs projects like Kimbilio, which helps support the street children in Lubumbashi, which is the hub for Cobalt mining in the DRC.

I invite you to join me! Your donation, regardless of its size, can make a significant difference in the lives of the children in the DRC.

- ~$25: Supports a child through school for a month

- ~$60: Provides breakfast and lunch for up to 50 children at Center Kimbilio per day

- ~$80: Provides a child with dedicated one-to-one support with trained carers per month

- ~$200: Enables a child to be reintegrated with their family.

This video above gives a glimpse into how the charity helps the children, many of which are working in atrocious mining conditions.