'Making history, Making a difference'
1,100 MILES INSPIRED BY THE WORDS OF A STREET CHILD
THE RUN OF A LIFETIME AND A UNIQUE DOCUMENTARY FILM TO CONFRONT THE CRISIS OF CHILDREN GROWING UP ON THE STREETS
Begins July 2010
Chris Rhys HowarthDonate Now!... Click here
Introduction
“How do you begin to understand the journey of a street child?....Make a journey of your own.”
Hello, I'm Chris. Beginning in July 2010 'Run Kenya' will make history by taking on an endurance feat never before attempted - I will run 1100 miles across the entire breadth of Kenya, through 12 major towns and cities, over a period of 7 weeks. I will run approximately 30 miles every running day, through the country's toughest conditions and diverse landscapes - from the remote mountains and altitude of the Rift Valley and Central Provinces - to the sprawling urban heart of Nairobi - and through the barren, desert roads towards Mombasa... However, this challenge is about more than just running... Here is the story behind 'Run Kenya'...
In April 2008 I co-created a unique performing arts project for street children in Kenya called ‘Hear Our Voice’.
Click here to read my full biography
‘Hear Our Voice Kenya’ helps to rehabilitate street children by giving them the opportunity to create pieces of theatre, songs and poetry about their experiences of life on the streets. The project forms part of the wider work of the brilliant street children charity Action for Children in Conflict (AfCiC) and, to date, around 200 children have participated.
Click here to read more about the project
Background
Whilst working in Kenya I met a group of children on the streets in the capital city, Nairobi. A street boy named Michael approached me and our conversation has stayed with me ever since. In a mixture of English and Swahili he told me this:
"Do you understand Kenya for us?" He pointed to himself and the other children. "Do you know what happens?"
"No," I said, "but I’m trying to understand."
"Why don’t you go see?" Michael said. "You could meet us. You should. You could take a journey, like I am."
"What do you mean?"
"I’m on a journey," Michael said, "my life is. But I stay only here. Have you ever been to Mombasa? I’d like to go to Mombasa, I could see the ocean, but I can’t. You could go for me, to Mombasa for my dream, come back and tell me what it is like, how is the ocean."
"I’ll try," I said.
"Maybe you’ll find me there," Michael said.
I was struck by what Michael said. It seemed profound. I immediately wrote our conversation down, and the words have never been far from my thoughts.
I've been running since I was a teenager. Long-distance running. I did my first marathon when I was 19. But Michael’s idea had struck me – maybe, I thought, that could be my journey? I could run across Kenya to Mombasa, reach the ocean? Maybe I’d discover what Michael meant, or maybe I’d be able to tell him all about it?
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Purpose
Michael’s words have inspired me to take on this challenge and make this documentary – to learn and understand as I go. Along the way, I will draw on my experience of working with street children and the success of the 'Hear Our Voice' project to help tell the stories of street children across Kenya.
I will meet the street children living in the towns and cities, talk to them and learn about their lives and experiences. I will also meet with individuals and organisations working to support street children in the community. Through this journey I hope to fulfil what Michael said, and to raise awareness and understanding in Kenya and internationally to help confront the street children crisis, whilst allowing the successful work of 'Hear Our Voice' to grow and benefit greater numbers of children.
The map below gives an overview of the route.
I will invite local Kenyans, children and athletes to run sections of the journey with me to help further raise awareness and spread excitement and support for the project.
During the journey, I will also distribute the 'Hear Our Voice' book to schools, communities and street children organisations throughout Kenya. This book contains all the creative work already developed by the original 'Hear Our Voice' children, along with materials and photographs to enable local organisations, should they wish, to develop the project with street children in their communities. By the end of the run I will have achieved a Kenya-wide distribution of the 'Hear Our Voice' project, allowing it to benefit and support as many street children as possible across the country.
Capturing the journey and creating a unique film will, crucially, achieve greater awareness and understanding around the World of this story and the issue of street children, as we aim for television broadcast, international DVD release and screening at film festivals worldwide.
Supporting this Journey
I need to raise money to do this project by donations from people like you. You can help me make this journey, create the documentary film, and allow all of the ambitions to be realised to help make a difference to street children across Kenya.
Please read this: This challenge requires not only great physical and emotional investment but also significant practical planning and finances. We must cover essential costs of equipment, support crew and vehicle, labour costs and food supplies, along with the post-production needed to create the best possible documentary of this journey, in order to ensure the story, and its message of street children, can reach the widest possible audience.
I am not profiting financially from this challenge. I am giving my time and energies through my ambition to complete this extreme journey and achieve its purpose. 100% of any future profits that come from broadcast, distribution or sales of the documentary film will go directly to supporting street children in Kenya.
If you wish to play a crucial role in making this journey happen and become part of a unique challenge which will create a piece of history whilst making a positive difference then please consider donating as much as you are able.
Donating is very simple using this link to the safe and secure ‘Just Giving’ site. Click Here
Sorry if the list below looks a little like a ‘shopping list’ but I simply wish to recognise the importance of each and every donation and give something back for your kindness and support – The more you donate the more this journey can achieve:
£25-£100 – You become a lifelong member of the ‘Hear Our Voice Kenya Supporters Group’ and will be credited on the 'Hear Our Voice' website. You will be able to follow the progress of the journey through updates and photographs emailed directly to you.
£100-£250 – All the above – and in addition your name will be printed in the acknowledgements section of the ‘Hear Our Voice’ book distributed across Kenya.
£250-£500 – All the above - and in addition a personalised copy of the 'Hear Our Voice' book will be sent to you.
£500-£1000 – All the above - and in addition a limited-edition DVD copy of the film will be sent to you and your name credited in the film as a producer.
£1000 or more – All the above - and in addition your name engraved on a permanent "Running Across Kenya" memorial to be carved from stone by a Kenyan sculptor and placed in a fitting location.
‘Whatever you can’ – you become a lifelong member of the ‘Hear Our Voice Kenya Supporters Group’ and credited on the 'Hear Our Voice' website. Updates to follow the progress of the journey will appear on the main 'Hear Our Voice' website.
Please note: If you wish to receive these acknowledgements please ensure you do provide your name and contact details when requested during donating. Donating is very simple using this link to the safe and secure ‘Just Giving’ site. Click Here
Thank you so much for visiting, for your kind donation and for becoming a lasting part of this unique journey.
Please feel free to contact me anytime if you have any questions about the run or the 'Hear Our Voice' project.
Many thanks!
Chris
Contact:
+44 (0) 7973626060
chris@hearourvoicekenya.com
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