Walk The Talk – Marathons for education

Hi, I am Bjorn. Some 10+ years ago I decided that during the second half of my life, I shall only work for good causes and try to help correct human mistakes on a global scale. I made "Making global sense" my purpose in life and our upcoming generations the ones I work for. You can call me a happy philanthropist without money, but rich in guts and stories. Knowing this project will create change for kids, not only words and empty promises.

Education builds hope

I walk Marathons to raise money for kids and education. Funds will be donated to a learning program, a school, an educational initiative or vision that makes global sense for kids today and in times to come. I "walk the talk" to support children's hope of a better future – the first fund-receiver is an elementary school for young kids in Jinja, Uganda.

"Quality education for all" is Goal no 4 in the UN Agenda 2030. Education builds hope and fights unemployment and violence. Here's a chance for you to provide education for more kids in Jinja, Uganda (see below).

Stockholm Marathon, June 3rd 2023

On June 3rd I walked the 42 kilometers within the timeframe of 6 hours. That means walking in at least 7 km/hour all the way. I shared the race's last position with 78-year-old Willy and received my first Marathon Medal. So now I know I can do it and will continue. There is another marathon coming up in Berlin in September and one in Istanbul in November...

Stockholm Stadion, June 3rd 2023. Waiting at the Stockholm Stadion for some 30 minutes before stepping over the Finish line. A shared last position with 78-year-old Willy (almost last - they let a few more in after the official time line).

RECEIVER 2023: Ripple of Hope Junior School – Jinja, Uganda.

The school that will receive your donation is a miracle. Founded by Eddy and Eva Balina, a young couple with wonderful values, great ambitions, and big hearts. Their leadership skills are impressive, their mission is admireable. Read more on their website: Ripple of Hope Junior School.

Their idea to build a school was born in 2016. They had only four empty hands to start with. In 2018 they opened up new classrooms for 100 kids of different ages coming from disadvantaged families in challenged areas around the corner. In 2021 a new bigger school was built on a new property. Now bringing hope to 280 kids and building up for a capacity of 1.000 students by 2025.

All the kids outside the first school building in 2018.

As we already know, many kids around the world are growing up with slim chances to enter a classroom. And many are forced into old-school curriculums based on norms from the 1920s rather than the 2020s. These are reasons why it makes global sense to put time and money into developing more new learning opportunities. In new formats and with new perspectives on playing and learning. Giving kids an opportunity to find out what they want and like, nursing their own strengths and curiosity at the time when they are ready for it. Supporting them to create their own dreams while getting the basic learnings covered.

Long lists of needs

The funds collected will be extremely useful – cover teacher's salaries, cover moore kids' school fees, buy better educational materials, better lunches for the kids, shoes to those who dont have shoes, clean water, material for gardening and farming... The list is long, and I have been there myself and seen how much progress can be done with very slim resources. And I have seen the eyes of the kids hanging onto the fence outside the school, yearning for to be able to come in and learn, play and grow – if their parents only could afford the tiny fee required for them.

Eddy and Eva – local heroes and dear friends.

Chip in for Eva and Eddy's team

We already know there is enough talking done, and that small amounts of money can give many more kids a better start in life. So let us walk the talk together. I will do the walking and you can help with the funding. All money collected will be received by Eva and Eddy's school except for a slim fee that gofundme charges for the transaction service and their guaratee that this is not a scam. All money-transfering receipts will be published transparently on our websites and social media platforms. More about the project.

What's in it for you?

You will hopefully get the rewarding feeling of being generous (a dopamine stimulator:-). And if you let us know your email, we'll send you stories from the Stockholm Marathon walk and also receive cheerful greetings and colorful inspiration from the happy kids in Jinja. Some of it will also be published on our websites and social media accounts.

Thank you for your attention...and thank you imensely for any support.

Hugs from Eva, Eddy and me.

Bjorn Bertoft

[email redacted]

https://www.bertoft.com/projects