Throughout 2022 Kingdom Recommends will complete 12 challenges raising money and awareness for 12 charities.  

The first challenge will see me getting back into the swing of things by completing a 100 mile challenge. I will be totting up those extra miles to raise funds for Shelter, a charity close to my heart. I have only recently started talking about my journey in the UK, in the hope that I can help change people's perception about homelessness, for many people it is not a way of life they have chosen, but a situation they have been unable to avoid. It is scary, it is lonely and you lose your self worth, people don't talk to you, you become a shadow. 

I know this because that is where I found myself in 2000.  Here is my story. 

It was 2000 when an 18-year-old, South African boy arrived in London, England. He was here to further his education, to study politics and history, so that he could better his life, pursue a career in government and support his family at home.

When he arrived, his visit did not go to plan, the friends he thought he had to stay with could not be found and instead of being met by familiar faces, he found himself alone in an unknown city, with little money and nowhere to go. The money he had, had been borrowed from a family friend, he didn’t want to use it, waste it as he knew it needed to be repaid, so after a 13-hour flight, he got his bags and walked the streets of London.

Three weeks passed by, he phoned his mum, crying he told her he was sorry, but he couldn’t go on, England was not the place he had heard it was, he was tired, the streets were lonely, he was lonely, and he didn’t know where he belonged or what he could do, it was a dark time.

His mum was worried, there were no mobile phones, and she had no way of contacting him, it was four weeks before she heard from him again and this is what had happened during that time… After he ended the phone call a man approached the boy and asked him if he was ok, it was that moment of kindness that lasted for ever.

After talking together, the boy explained he had nothing and all he wanted to do was provide and support his family. They spoke at length about the world and opportunity within it, then the man offered him a lifeline. He gave him the opportunity of work, he gave him a chance, a job and reminded him to believe in himself.

We believe in the spirit of ubuntu, it helped me throughout my life and we can be there for others.  When times were tough that helping hand made all the difference to me, and by supporting Shelter someone else will get the help and support they need. A safe place to sleep is a simple human right, help us to make that happen for those who need our help. 

In a world where you can be anything, be Kind. 

Thank you.

#ubuntu - I am, because we are 

#challenge2022