(courtesy of Mika, graphic artist extraordinaire)
The idea came from one of my neighbors, Amanda, but our entire region has jumped to help. We're all very excited. I have been set to work writing various explanatory and fundraising emails to PCVs, PC admin, RPCVs, expats, companies, etc. And, of course, you are all cordially invited - to help us fundraise, or to come pound the pavement. What better excuse to visit a country that you, honestly, never really wanted to visit? Here's some incentive: adorable Senegalese babies (definitely), Senegalese food (the good kind), mild verbal abuse (makes you stronger), monkeys (yep), good beer (not really), me (duh), lions (I wish), helping empower Senegalese girls (yeahhh!), getting to boast about your Senegalese marathon experience (we will also have shorter distances, so no excuses). If you do want to make a donation, run (!), or have any questions, feel free to email me - aschier87@gmail.com
For a more thorough explanation, here's a shortish article I wrote for PC/Senegal's website.
Dear PCVs, RPCVs, friends, family, and noble internet passers-by,
Greetings from Tambacounda, Senegal! We are a group of Peace Corps Volunteers with jobs ranging from urban agriculture and preventative health education to small enterprise development. No matter what sector we are assigned to, however, we all want to work in one common area: girls' education and empowerment.
In Senegal, especially in rural areas (where we primarily live and work), girls are often taken out of school at a young age to work in the fields, or marry. They have little say over their futures or the future of their daughters, and the sustainable development work that Peace Corps strives toward is possible only if the women of Senegal can make their voices heard. The best way to empower women is through education, and that is why we are so excited about this opportunity.
Work centering on girls’ education has been a Peace Corps initiative since… well, since the beginning of Peace Corps. However, this time we are planning something different - the first ever Peace Corps-related marathon, to take place in early March. The race will be run in the spirit of continuing girls' education, with emphasis on informing and changing local attitudes and, hopefully, inspiring girls to think of themselves as capable of continuing their studies, having a career, and balancing that with family.
We have been overwhelmed so far with the positive response from our fellow PCVs – not only are they committing themselves to going the distance on foot, they are also asking how they can help us in our awareness and fundraising efforts. However, we need all the help we can get! Even if you aren’t living in Senegal at the moment, and can’t picture yourself flying over to West Africa to run with us, there are ways you can help out from the air-conditioned comfort of your own home, take-out Mexican food and a chai latte close at hand (my current Amerik daydream; don’t judge).
To meet the goals we’ve set for ourselves, to really achieve something special with this marathon, we need donations. PCVs, RPCVs, family, friends, American or Senegalese companies, school clubs, famous celebrities, the guy who goes through your trash every morning – you get the picture. Anyone can lend a hand. Marathon T-shirts are being designed, and will be available for purchase – we’ll let you know when and how. Fundraised money will be used in a couple big areas. One is our Michelle Sylvester Scholarships, in which we reward high-achieving but economically disadvantaged girls with funds to pay for school and supplies, something their families cannot always afford. Another are Peace Corps Senegal’s country-wide girls’ leadership camps, in which girls are able to talk to and learn from successful Senegalese women, think outside the “village box,” and develop their own personal identities, life skills, and self-confidence. Funds will also be used for other GAD (Gender and Development) activities.
This is going to be a game-changer, people. We have high hopes of not only facilitating a successful event this year, but of even making it an annual affair. Girls’ education and empowerment, of all things, deserves a yearly reminder. Join us in making this possible!
Also, find us on facebook! Or, here, I’ll make it easy for you: http://www.facebook.com/senegalrunforeducation
And now, Tamba’s own Amanda Lyon will explain how to make donations:
As of right now, we will be doing everything through the country fund. Friends and family, American businesses, Senegalese companies, and so on, can donate at:
From there they click on Donate, which prompts them to fill in their credit card information. On that page there is a comment section where we would like all donors to comment, "Marathon for Education," so that we will know what funds actually belong to us...whoopee! PS: TAX DEDUCTIBLE.
If you have a Senegalese Company or anyone else that cannot donate online or via credit card, they can write Peace Corps Senegal a check. If you are in this situation contact me because PC is not sure how they want the check addressed thus far.
For comments, questions, concerns, etc. – email us at senegalrunforeducation1@gmail.com
Sincerely,
Team Tamba and the rest of PC/Senegal
