RUN FOR THE HOMELESS UPDATE

Thank you for all the support and encouragement that Kirk has been receiving. Kirk cannot get on his blog right now as the UN has put on restrictions to the internet so he asked if I could provide an update for him. Kirk is training very hard right now in the hot Sudanese sun for the big run (34 km) on December 1, 2009. We are very proud of him and wish we could be there to cheer him on. 34 Km's is a long way and the sun and the sand are only some of the obstacles. I was sharing with our kids tonight at dinner about the significance of how even small amounts of money can help children that do not have parents to care or provide for them. They have decided to find ways to raise money around the house and even donate their paper route money. Our kids are 5, 4 and 2 years old. If you have always wanted to help in some way to make a difference in Africa but didn't know how- we would love for you to join Kirk in his fundraising run. Stay tuned on the blog as Kirk or I will update as to how his training is going. Sincerely, Heather (and kids) on behalf of Kirk.

RUN TO ASSIST HOMELESS CHILDREN IN ABYEI AREA

Children as is usually the case in all conflicts make up a large cross section of the victims and that is no different here in Abyei. Many homeless children are orphaned because of the war and some are as a result of hardships in the aftermath of the war. The homeless children now living in the Abyei and Agok areas are estimated to be approximately 280. They spend there time begging and at night some of them are given shelter in the market of Abyei by the local police who have a post there. These children have no access to health care because they have to pay a fee to use the public health system, they do not go to school and there is no established social assistance in the area.

I would like to ask for your help in raising funds to assist the homeless children in Abyei Area. On December 1st 2009 I will run from Abyei to Agok, a distance of 34 kms and I am looking for sponsors to sponsor me per kilometer. The money collected will be placed in trust with the local catholic church in Abyei and with the Order of Mother St. Theresa an organization the has been in the area for approximately 8 years. (there are no banks in the town) and used to help set up a network of assistance for these children.

If anyone is interested in sponsoring/donating please let me know through my email address and I can put you on the list. For those of you who know where to find them, my wife and people at work in Orillia also have sponsor forms, FYI. Thank you in advance.

By the way, I have never run this far before, I do a bit a running and have been involved in track and field back in high school but just so everyone knows this is going to be quite the challenge for me. I am confident though that come 01Dec09 the first 34 kms I put on my new pair of running shoes will be in the red dust of Sudan. (I might be looking for a new pair of lungs after lol)

Third and Last Time

I got back to Sudan after a rainy and sick two weeks at home but don't get me wrong, it was great being there. Got to help out on the new paper route the kids are doing, some skating, I need lessons more than Camden does, and just being there was all good.

when I left I had to get all bundled up in Canada it was only about 10 degrees so I had a big sweatshirt on and when I got to Khartoum I thought for sure I would be sweating buckets but it was actually nice and cool there, oh about high 20's at 6 pm. It is usually still in the high 30's and you can feel the heat radiating from.... well, everything.

A very non-eventful flight back didn't loose any bags which I happen to have filled with food for the next two months so that's a good thing. I made back to Abyei after to usual day and a half in Khartoum. So I am back in the office.... boring, boring, boring. So I have a plan to fix.... run a marathon, here in Abyei (No I am not on crack but wish I were, it is going to hurt). Well almost a marathon. Checkout the next post to see exactly what I am talking about.