Here we interview runners who have participated in the Uganda Marathon, so they can share their stories and experiences from the 7-Day Adventure. After all, it’s their involvement which makes the week so special, from the impact they have on the Charity Projects, to the community feel they give to Race Day.
Since Simona was a child, her dream has been to help communities in Africa. She joined us for this year’s Uganda Marathon and became our highest solo fundraiser, raising over £3,000! Below, we hear more about this, her visit to the project she fundraised for, and how the whole experience had such a powerful impact on her!
1. What made you sign up for the Uganda Marathon?
It was thanks to another marathon runner, Sejal, my former colleague and a friend who told me about this event. She was motivated to go because she was born there and she wanted to get a chance to visit the places of her early life, but when I read more about the Uganda Marathon and the projects involved, I immediately knew I was meant to go there. Helping kids and unfortunate communities in Africa was my dream since I was a kid, and I knew that now I was fortunate enough to be able to help other people and try to give them the hope of a better life.
That’s why after I signed up, I decided to stay there for 3 weeks!
2. What project did you choose to fundraise for and why? What was it like to volunteer at the project during the week?
I chose ‘Youth With A Vision’, a project that gives microloans to young people with ambitious and entrepreneurial business ideas, so that they can start their businesses, be profitable and be able to give back the loan, plus helping other younger generations that want to do the same, sharing their experiences and mentoring them.
When my clan and I went to visit the project, we were all very impressed by what the founder (John Mugabi) did and by the previous experiences of the young men and women who made it and became independent doing what they wanted to do. We also helped new youths with their business plans so that they could finally get their microloans, start their businesses, and become profitable and competitive as soon as possible.
I’m actually in touch with some of them who are showing me the progress of their businesses, and it’s so touching seeing how a little contribution can make such a big difference in their lives, and their communities too!
My fundraising page, which is still open for donations till December this year, reached almost £3,000 and I couldn’t be more happy to have lots of great friends, colleagues and family who helped me reach this important amount!
Feel free to check out my fundraising page and of course, donate! 🙂
3. You’ve been our biggest fundraiser for 2018 -congratulations!! Could you tell us about your experience with fundraising and how you went about it? Do you have any tips for future participants?
I think it’s a combination of having great and generous people around me, not just in my circle of friends and family but also in my work environment, and being constantly a massive pain in the ass 🙂
Let me clarify: I know asking for money is never nice, and even in my culture is actually something “not polite” to do, but remember: you are not asking for money to buy a new Gucci bag, you are asking for a small amount of money which can hugely help communities, youths and little kids with no future or unable to eat properly or even find drinkable water to improve their possibility of living a healthy or decent life.
I saw with my own eyes the conditions of these people: surprisingly smart kids with no chance to go to school, or with no shoes to wear, with no pencils or notebooks and books to own.
I saw a little kid with a dirty black abused toothbrush trying to wash his small teeth in a dirty black pool in the street, after pouring rain.
I saw little kids running after the runners during the marathon to catch the last drops of water in each water bottles.
I visited villages where lots of HIV positive people with no money or jobs were raising their own kids and HIV orphans of HIV parents, not knowing how they could provide for themselves.
I saw mothers trying to convince me to keep their own younger kids because they couldn’t afford to provide for them.
I saw the real poverty, I saw the real suffering, and trust me, after you see that, asking for money from more fortunate people is the easiest job you could ever do!
4. You ran the half marathon on Race Day – what was it like?
Initially, I signed up for the full marathon, but then I preferred to enjoy my time with the communities and kids I met in the street during the journey, and “only” finished the half marathon, but it was worth it 10 times more than any other marathon in the world.
The journey is very tough but fortunately, the weather was friendly and not too hot or sunny, and the villagers, people and kids make this experience just incredible and unforgettable!!!
5. Finally, what was your favourite memory and how would you sum the week up for someone who hasn’t been?
Many people asked me about my favourite memories or the highlights of my trip but it’s very hard for me to pick them. I lived the best and most intense and emotional 3 weeks of my life!
I cried for sadness, but also for joy: the smiles, performances and good vibes received from the people and kids I met left me an indelible mark on my skin, in my soul and in my heart and I can’t wait to go back again.
I’m also working here in London to continue to help the communities and projects from London. It’s still a work-in-progress, but I hope this is just the beginning of an amazing new experience.
