BISMILLAHIR - RAHMANIR - RAHEEM

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page. Please help me reach my target £5000/$7000. My heartfelt thanks for your support. 

DURING 2017, I  AM ATTEMPTING TO WALK 1000 MILES TO HELP ME REACH MY TARGET OF £5000/$7000 for War Child's work with Syrian refugee children in Jordan - Children of Syria Appeal. Walking seems very appropriate since refugees often walk very long distances. In October, I will be hiking the remote 250 km Sinai Trail in Egypt.

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DURING 2016: At 65,  I hiked the challenging world-class 650km Jordan Trail in Jordan to raise funds for War Child's Children of Syria Appeal for their work with refugee children in Jordan's vast Za'atari refugee camp.

I  hiked 650km in 42 days - 27 days in February /March; 15 days in November. 30 days solo and navigating entirely using my GPS device; 3 days with a guide; and final 9 days with Jordan Trail Association technical thru hike walking 18 to 30 km a day. 

"My first day of hiking was high on the plateau in pouring rain (Jordanian raindrops always seemed extra fat) and fog. I started with a road section and had to counter numerous offers of rescue from concerned drivers. The police car occupants read my Arabic explanation and offered me a big bottle of water, which I ended up declining as I already had too much weight to pull along in my Dixon Rollerpack, and water was the last thing on my mind in my wet condition!"

"The one man who did not seem alarmed by a lone woman walking down the road heading for wilderness was the driver of a minibus with special education children and their staff. I stood at the window in the rain and was introduced to the ladies and children, and he cheerfully said that he would see me in Aqaba (near the end of the Jordan Trail) on TV. He beamed so much positive energy, and I thought someone who works with challenged children understands more is possible than most of us can imagine. I smiled."

"I was so happy to start walking each day and leave behind everyone's worries and could just concentrate on finding the way and not falling down! Each day was spectacular and full of interest. Miracles occurred when I needed something particular."    

www.jordantrail.org       

www.warchild.org.uk/what-we-do/projects/syria

www.livefortheoutdoors.com/walk1000miles/ 

 www.sinaitrail.org

War Child has set up a child-friendly 'Safe Space' and works with local Jordanian and Syrian volunteers to deliver their DEALS programme which is a way of giving children an informal education and building their resilience to cope with the upheaval and trauma they have experienced. War Child also trains teachers, provides safe transport to and from schools, provides 'Back to School Kits' for the students, and provides post trauma counselling. 

I have always wanted to hike a long distance trail so walking the Jordan Trail is my personal challenge as well as being in memory of my parents who planted the seeds for my love of hiking in the wild. My father who lived to 103 years old was an extremely accomplished rock climber and Antarctic explorer as well as, along with my mother, a life-long traveller and hiker. Indeed my Mum was five months pregnant with me when my parents hiked and camped across the Falklands! 

My commitment to the Syrian children who are given the tools with which to live positive lives will help to keep my legs walking since this is a tough challenge for me physically, mentally, and emotionally. 

I want to help give support and hope to children of our future and do something beautiful for God in our troubled world.  Insha'Allah, with your help, I will succeed. 

• £12 could help pay for books, pens and toys

• £30 could help pay for a counselling session for a traumatised child
  

• £50 could help to train a child protection officer in psycho-social care

JustTextGiving - doesn't matter which network you are on in the UK, text MAUI65 to 70070.  Choose any value from £1, £2, £3, £4, £5, or £10.