Meet Saviour. She is a 8-years-old Zambian orphan. We met her just after sunrise and she was already doing her chores; sweeping, cooking and fetching muddy water from a nearby stream. Then she set off for school.
The walk to school was 7km and took over 2 hours. After attending class, Saviour did the same thing in reverse; 2 more hour walking, more chores and then it was dark so she went to bed. No time for homework, let alone time to play.
When her headmaster, George, told us that she soon won’t even have a classroom to learn in, it was heartbreaking. Her current school is a borrowed farmhouse, which the owner wants back. We had to do something to help.
WalkAsOne
Over the coming weeks, the idea of a sponsored walk was born. When Michael Paxman of Bucks New University read Saviour’s story and suggested the same thing, we knew it was time to act.
Michael immediately volunteered to organise the first walk. It took place on Sunday 18th October at Bucks New University in High Wycombe, UK. 13 walkers (and a dog) took part and raised £540.
Organise a walk at your university of school
However, why stop there we asked ourselves? Why not set the bar higher and ask for your help to organise 14km walks all over the world? Why not indeed?
So we invite you to make a massive difference to Saviour’s life by bringing a WalkAsOne to your university, school, guide/scout group or walking club between March and July 2010.
If you just fancy organising a small walk with friends, that’s fine too!
How do you organise your own WalkAsOne?
A lot depends on the number of walkers you hope to involve but the basics are as follows:
- Find a location and select a date.
- Promote your event and register the walkers.
- Get the walkers raising some money.
- With all that out of the way all that is left to do is walk and enjoy yourself!
Remember, you don’t have to do everything by yourself. Why not organise an event with family or friends?
A detailed how-to-guide and full support are available. Email Chris at walk@learnasone.org. We are here to help you organise a fun day out and raise money to fund a new school, so get in touch!
What are you raising money for?
A new school for Saviour and her friends at Simakakata in Southern Zambia. The costs are as follows:
£5,700 - classroom (1 more needed)
£1,915 - Desks, chairs and furniture (for the classroom)
£5,700 - teacher’s house (5 needed)
Have a classroom or teacher’s house named after you
If your walk raises £5,700 then it’s possible to have a building named after you. Either as a group or a prize for your top fundraiser.
If this amount is out of reach then feel free to team up with other groups, universities or schools in your area so you can reach the target.
See the money in action
We’re returning to Zambia in July 2010 and will post stories, photos and videos on our blog so everyone can see how the money raised has been put to good use. While over there, we’ll invite your questions to ask Saviour and the rest of the community.
Help to fund a new school
Cost to build
£39,900
Still needed
£34,200
