

Running for the children
Nanne de JongBecause every step should be in the right direction:
December 8th, 2019 I'll participate in the Honolulu Marathon for the third time. Running 42 kilometers in paradise.
I'm fortunate to be in a situation I can train outdoors without fear, wearing proper running shoes, eat healthy meals and I have friends and family to support me. I realize that in the meantime, there are children in harrowing situations, needing our support and to give them hope for a brighter future. Not wanting to let those 42 tough kilometers go to waste, I won't only be just running for myself, but also for the children. Want to cheer for me on this journey and support the children, please donate to Save the Children
Mahalo nui loa
WHY RUN FOR SAVE THE CHILDREN:
Sunday the 14th of December 2014, after a long period of training and preparation, gallons of sweat, determination and encouragement I finished the Honolulu Marathon. Meanwhile elsewhere in the world, a child was looking for shelter to hide from bombs, a young girl was working in a humid sweatshop and a boy was selling tissues in busy traffic. Much worse things were happening at that exact moment, things I rather not think about. While I finished my first marathon, collected my medal, ate a donut and each of the participants celebrated their personal victory and achievement, for a moment we all forgot about the sorrow of others, of those kids.
The next time that I’m running this marathon, the 42 kilometres will be for those children. That will be my way of celebrating being able to run another marathon in Hawaii the 8th of December. In contrary to those kids, I’m in an ideal situation to train for this challenge. I live close to the beach, with a national park at my doorstep, where I can run safely, accompanied by deer, foxes and rabbits. Never have I experienced hunger, war or true suffering and fear. During trainings I can complain about the torture it is, but honestly it’s nothing. Sure it’s not always easy or fun, but the purpose gives me strength.
I didn’t randomly pick Save the Children as charity to raise funds for. Only after thorough research to the many charities, making a smaller selection and going into the details, I’ve checked current projects, results of prior initiatives, annual reports and budgets. What convinced me to choose Save the Children was that the aid isn’t solely provided with an abundance of love and care, but also with a great amount of expertise. Solving hunger amongst children in ‘first world’ countries or in the ‘third world’ demands a different approach. Something I find very important is that Save the Children also cares for the less fortunate ones in the ‘first world’, all kids matter.
Save the Children convinced me that they use the donations for a wide range of different projects, each with a fitting approach, as professional and sustainable possible. And they act promptly and adequate in sudden emergency situations like natural disasters or political escalations.
As an individual in a comfortable situation, it’s easy to think to know what’s best for children in need, close or on the other side of the globe, but it’s fair to say that only experts know best, the professionals with knowledge on the local situation, steps to take, the dreams and the needs. As I’m not an expert or professional in the position I could make a difference on the spot, I am excited to be able to make miles in order to ask for donations and awareness.