On July 5th, 2024 I will set out to run 100 miles (160km) in Beaupré, Quebec at the QMT 100. This run is considered one of the legendary 100 mile races in North America and invites participants to explore their limits in the Quebec wilderness. 

Thanks to the generosity of the QMT race organization, I have been given the opportunity to run the race in support of the Worga Foundation. QMT is covering the cost of my race entry, so that I can focus my attention on raising money and awareness for the Worga Foundation and spreading the word about ultramarathon running to the Mabaan community. 

I believe that ultramarathon running, the Mabaan community, and the Worga Foundation make good partners. It takes a mixture of love, courage, and community support to run a long way, pursue an educational goal, or to celebrate your culture. It might be possible to run 100 miles on your own, but those who let their community back them up find the process much more meaningful (and sometimes even run faster!). I want Mabaan and South Sudanese students around the world to have access to the help, support, and encouragement that they need to pursue their educational goals. 

In 2024, the Worga Foundation is pursuing an ambitious goal — creating the very first Mabaan Youth Educational Coach (MYEC). This new role will add a paid employee to the Worga team to build on its history of providing volunteer-led mental wellness, educational, and life coaching to Mabaan living in Canada and around the world. 

My hope is to get the campaign started by raising $550 of its overall goal of $35,000. 

Now, I feel like I need to say...

I'd love to blow this $550 goal out of the water. Just like I'd like to run faster than my goal time in the 100 mile race, I'd like to make an even greater contribution to Worga's campaign. If you're able to make a bigger contribution, please consider doing it. Having spent my whole career working with small grassroots nonprofits, I know that these organizations do some of the best work out there, and that a surprise donation can change everything. 

You can read more about the Mabaan Youth Education Coach (MYEC) on the main campaign page, but here's the information in case you don't want to click around. 

The MYEC will be responsible for the following: 

• Outreach to Mabaan youth in educational institutions
• Facilitating relationship development among Mabaan youth 
• Connecting Mabaan youth with supports and resources in the broader community
• Encouraging Mabaan youth to engage with their culture 
• Accompanying Mabaan youth as they pursue their educational goals 

The funds raised through this campaign will go towards the following expenses: 

• Salary and employment related expenses
• Training and professional development
• Recruiting and human resource management 
• Outreach and engagement expenses (ex. travel costs related to meeting with youth)

Your support of this initiative will help the Worga Foundation to reach a new level of support for Mabaan youth around the world. We believe that this is only the beginning of what is possible and we're grateful to have you onboard as we take this next step in our work together.