Hello, friends!

If you're reading this, you know that I'm spending the early morning hours pounding the pavement en route to achieving one of my goals - completing the NY Marathon!  Unlike previous marathon experiences, this time my focus is bigger than logging miles, staying healthy, and listening to my coach.  I am excited and honored to pair my marathon experience with raising money for a charity whose work is so desparately needed - Camfed. 

Camfed is an international organization dedicated to eradicating poverty in Africa through the education of girls and the empowerment of young women. The focus is on rural areas of Africa, where, in a context of widespread poverty, girls and young women face massive exclusion from education and the opportunities that education unlocks. Girls and young women in rural areas of Africa are unable to challenge the status quo from their position of acute vulnerability. Girls’ circumstances can only improve if their communities are in a position to support them. And in turn, rural communities can only change if girls’ circumstances improve.

As a girl, my sister and I were taught (by two loving, hardworking, and supportive parents) that with education and hard work we could take on any challenge.  To be honest, I think we knew the words, "I am woman, hear me roar" by the time I was six.  Through Camfed, many girls and women in rural areas of Africa can be similarly empowered to believe and achieve. 

With a little sweat (okay, maybe a lot), many smiles, and the generosity of family and friends, the pursuit of my NY Marathon goal will also be an experience that helps to tear down boundaries, unlock opportunities, and challenge the status quo in rural, empoverished regions of Africa. 

Thank you for visiting this page and considering a donation.  With your support for Camfed, the number of educated girls in Africa can become "too big to ignore" - which is certainly something to sing about! Please do forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate, too.

Thank you and have a great day! :)