This weekend we will be running the Bacchus Half marathon near Dorking to raise money for Peaceful Home for Children in Kenya. For Helen, this will be the furthest she has ever run by quite some margin, and for Lizzie and Maria it will be their first return to distance running since having children. With six children between us and three demanding jobs, our training has been patchy so race day could be interesting!

So why are we doing this?!

Back in the 70's, Lizzie's parents spent 10 years living in Kenya. This was where her brother's Andrew and Jimmy were born and spent their first few years. During that time Lizzie's parents made many friends in their local village of Kianyaga. One of their closest friends, Agnes, runs an orphanage from her home. The orphanage is called the Peaceful Home for Children, and houses 14 children whose parents are unable to care for them. Agnes and her team make life changing differences in these children's lives, giving them a family environment to grow up in.

We are taking on this challenge to raise money for Agnes' orphange. Specifically to raise money to buy beans and other protein foods for the children for one year. Their daily diet consists of low-cost or home grown foods, such as maize and greens. The children's diet is often lacking in costly protein foods, and deficiencies in this macronutrient are linked to growth and brain development.

Why does this Agnes' orphanage need my money?

Peaceful home for children is a private orphanage which is run solely on donations, and the hard work of Agnes. The day to day running costs are funded by regular donations by various individuals and visiting tourists, which covers the cost of staff wages and food. However, with the tourist trade in Kenya declining, funding is ever more scarce. Lizzie's mum Margaret (pictured with some of Peaceful's children) regularly visits the orphanage to spend time with the children and she is always impressed with how efficiently Agnes manages the small amount of funding she receives.

Any donations, however small, are very gratefully received.

Thanks,

Lizzie, Helen and Maria