The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance DAM (GERD) is a zero carbon emissions hydropower plant which will give surplus green electrical energy to the people of Ethiopia and other East African countries and it is believed to have a positive impact on both alleviating extreme poverty and on the climate by reducing deforestation in Ethiopia and beyond. GERD will be the largest DAM in Africa and what makes this DAM a unique project is exclusively being funded by the Ethiopian people and contributions from the diaspora and friends. The GERD has been under construction since 2011 and projected to be completed in 2023. Currently, 60% of the Ethiopian population has no access to electricity. The first electricity is projected to be produced by September 2021 and it will be used to give light and further support the development in rural and urban areas of the country. The GERD project is forecasted to need 185billion Birr (est. £3.5billion) to finish off the project and has reached 80% of completion. Meanwhile, we, the Ethiopian community and friends in the UK, Ireland and globally are walking, jogging, running, swimming and cycling 8460km, the estimated distance from London to GERD and back by the end of August 2021 to assist this AMAZING project. Our aim is to raise £10,000 from the challenge and £100,000 in total including from the long awaited evening dinner and mini festival ( a drop in the ocean but every contribution can make a huge difference) and we think we can meet our target with your generosity. It is going to change millions of lives back home. Giving light to all our people is a long awaited dream to all Ethiopians so please help us accomplish our DREAM and be part of something you are going to be very PROUD of! We are really excited about this project and we will be keeping you updated with our running progress. Thank you so much in advance and your help will be appreciated forevermore.

You can follow the virtual challenge via the below LINK, you can even join if you wish to: https://www.strava.com//clubs/947597?utm_source=com.whatsapp&utm_medium=referral