Run the 1 (New England Style)

Hey everyone,

My name is Shaun. I have been volunteering with Ubaka U Rwanda since 2010. Ubaka is led by Evode and Becky who met while they were  working with street children in Rwanda. The two fell in love, married, and have been bringing street children into their home and treating them as family ever since. Some of these children need help working things out with their family while others have nobody or place they can go to. Years ago, I would spend winters in Rwanda when I was through my seasons fighting wildfires out west. I cherished every minute with the kids and family and have spent years of my life with them. I used to say that I wouldn't be able to live with myself if they had to go back to the street because we could not provide for them. It's that mentality that motivated me to fundraise for them stateside.

Back in 2011, a few of us from The Arroyo Grande Hotshots walked 230 miles in a week to raise money for the kids. After that, the whole gang got into it and for years before COVID, we called it Run the 1. We would run miles relay style up and down the California coast. Some people ran 1 mile, others ran 50+, and everything in between. And by doing so, we raised hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years for the kids. The money would go towards building their current home, school fees, medical bills, and simply helping to keep the lights on.

I didn't bother folks last year. Thanks to our sponsors and responsible management, our home of (former) street children maintained well during the height of the pandemic. Sadly I have not been back to Rwanda, California, or anywhere away from my home yet. I miss everyone dearly. However, enough time has passed where I must do something to try and raise some funds for our kids. Our next year's school fees will be due, and our running costs have been massively in flux due to the pandemic and nature's way of shaking things up.https://www.outdoorproject.com/united-states/new-hampshire/pemigewasset-loop 

 

Tentatively, on November 10th, you may find me running the Pemi Loop in the White Mountains of NH. This will be my first time ever attempting the 30+ mile adventure with 10,000 + of elevation gain.  Considering the weather, this could be moved around. As I write this, this is a solo adventure. However every year Run the 1 has gone on, our kids typically have ran with us from afar, as have other supporters not physically with us that day. So we shall see! I will give more updates as the time goes on. Historically, we have reached the $15,000 mark for donations. We would be grateful for even $15 during this challenging time. Thank you to all those who read this and already knew everything I was trying to convey. I wish we could share this altogether in person. Always in heart, though. And to those just learning, thanks for any help at all in forms of donations, sharing, and great energy.

 

Gratitude,

Shaun (Sully)