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| 14 Dec 2021 | |
| Giving back |
On Sunday 28th November, Ben Calow, and a group of friends took on the challenge of covering 100km each, by a combination of foot and bike, through Kenya’s mighty Rift Valley, battling its gruelling altitude and undulating terrain.
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Here Ben tells us about their amazing feat and why they decided to undertake it:
“We took on the challenge in aid of an amazing charity called ‘Restart Africa’, just down the road from where we are working in Kenya. It is a home that rescues Kenya's street children by offering abandoned children a haven from rape, drugs, violence, excessive alcohol consumption, homelessness and prostitution - some of the children are as young as 1 and the oldest is 16.
Sadly there are a large number of orphans found on the streets of rural Africa which is been increased during the COVID-19 crisis.
During our recent months in Gilgil we developed such a strong connection and love for the children and all that Restart does. What we have all been most struck by, is the happy atmosphere that in no way matches the unfathomable beginnings they have all had, which is testament to the success of the charity. However, like for much of Kenya, Covid has hit Restart particularly severely with a lack of donations and a rise in the poverty level around Gilgil, directly impacting its street children. In the last month alone, Restart have had to find the finance and space to raise 8 new children.
Coming back from the challenge which was an extremely tough experience (especially on the dodgy hired Kenyan bikes!) we were greeted by all the children of Restart Africa, which was incredibly moving. We took a photo of the scene we came back to:
Restart Africa has touched the hearts of all of us and we would massively appreciate any donations no matter how small. If any of the Tonbridge Community would like to help these orphans, please donate to our GoFundMe Page
If you would like to learn more about the amazing work going on at Restart, please take a look at their website:
All donations will go directly to the running costs of the home which include food, education and staff salaries for the Restart community. Any donations, no matter what amounts, will be making a direct difference to these children's lives and help them to live up to the Restart motto:
'Think not what you are but what you can become.'
