Why did you decide to run the half-marathon?
Over the years, running has allowed me to reconnect with myself and get through challenging times. It has always been a way of showing up for myself and reminding me that I’m capable of doing difficult things, even when they feel overwhelming. I’m running this half-marathon to challenge myself, step outside my comfort zone, and remind myself once again that I can do hard things.
How’s the training been going? And how are you feeling about race day?
This training block has been particularly challenging because the race is taking place in October, which meant I had to do most of my training throughout the summer. This summer was the hottest on record, which made the training even more demanding. It also made me reflect on our partners in the Global South, who face extreme temperatures every day, and the challenges of living and working in these conditions. It was a reminder of the urgent need to continue supporting climate action and adaptation efforts. I’m feeling really nervous about the race, but also excited, and I hope I can manage to improve my personal best.
What inspired you to fundraise for Jesuit Missions?
Being the International Programmes Officer has given me the opportunity to see the amazing work that JM supports through our partners. I’ve even been lucky enough to visit some of them and witness first-hand the life-changing work they are doing. The stories I’ve heard and the people I’ve met have been incredibly inspiring, and they are a big part of what motivated me to run this half-marathon and fundraise for JM.
Is there a particular project or story that has stuck with you?
During my last visit to Guyana, where I visited the bilingual project we support, I was deeply moved by the work being done to help Indigenous communities preserve their heritage through language. As a bilingual person myself, I felt a particularly strong connection to this work and to the importance of language in shaping who we are and where we come from. I don’t think I could pick just one story. Every time I visit our partners and meet the people who benefit from JM’s projects, I’m struck by their resilience and by the impact these projects can have on people’s lives.
How can supporters’ donations make a difference?
The donations can help students in Southern Africa stay in school, support communities in India to claim their rights, and help communities in Madagascar continue learning how to adapt to climate change. But beyond the activities and outcomes of each project, from the experiences I’ve had through my work, I’ve come to see that donations can offer something even more powerful: hope. Hope for a different future, and the opportunity for people and communities to build that future for themselves.
